Minnesota Democrats accused Republicans of attacking tribes as hearings over gaming compacts began on Monday.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) wants to renegotiate existing compacts to get a "better deal" for the state. Republican lawmakers support the idea, saying the state needs more resources to regulate tribal casinos.

Democrats defended tribes and said the proposal was a form of racism. "They want to kick the Indians," one lawmaker was quoted as saying. "People are always complaining that they could not help themselves and, now that they are helping themselves, we are now trying to steal from them, which I think is wrong -- regardless of what people think about gambling."

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Indian gambling debate heats up (The Duluth News Tribune 2/15)