Leaders of two Michigan tribes said they are happy that the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to their gaming compacts.
The court refused to entertain an appeal that questioned the legality of four compacts approved by state lawmakers in 1988. The tribes affected are the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
"The tribes are pleased that yet another court has made a decision supporting the process by which these inter-governmental agreements were ratified, " said Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Chairperson Laura Spurr. "We are pleased the court has preserved the right of the tribes to create jobs and economic development for the entire community."
The appeal was sought by Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos (TOMAC), a group of non-Indians that is fighting casinos and land-into-trust decisions throughout the state. The group hasn't been able to stop any projects but has delayed the process for some tribes.
John Miller, chairman of the Pokagon Tribe, said groups like TOMAC are backed by people within the casino industry that don't want to see tribes succeed. He said the Supreme Court's decision yesterday will force the opposition to "call off their legal hired guns and allow the tribes to move forward."
The Michigan Supreme Court last August [PDF]
rejected TOMAC's challenge to the legislative approval of the compacts.
TOMAC has another lawsuit challenging the governor's ability to amend the compacts without legislative action.
Get the Story:
Tribes happy with justices' casino decision (The Traverse City Record-Eagle 2/23)
Supreme Court won't hear group's challenge of Michigan compacts
(AP 2/22)
Compacts
Michigan tribes pleased with action over compacts
Wednesday, February 23, 2005 More from this date
Michigan tribes pleased with action over compacts
Wednesday, February 23, 2005 More from this date
Join the Conversation
Stay Connected
Contact Us
indianz@indianz.com202 630 8439 (THEZ)
Search
Top Indian Gaming Stories
Trending in Gaming
1 Catawba Nation continues work on controversial casino in North Carolina
2 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes move forward with casino expansion
3 Poarch Band of Creek Indians said to be on Trump's radar
4 Hopi Tribe officially joins Indian gaming industry with approved compact
5 Seminole Tribe paid just $50M for casino Donald Trump built for $1.2B
2 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes move forward with casino expansion
3 Poarch Band of Creek Indians said to be on Trump's radar
4 Hopi Tribe officially joins Indian gaming industry with approved compact
5 Seminole Tribe paid just $50M for casino Donald Trump built for $1.2B
More Stories
Indian gaming is focus of Western states' summit Decision delayed on liquor license for tribe's casino
Indian Gaming Archive