Lawmaker in charge of casino bill gets tribal money

Wednesday, May 11, 2005  

Minnesota State Rep. Phil Krinkie (R) has accepted more than $9,000 from tribal interests who oppose a casino bill before his committee, The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Krinkie accepted $2,000 from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, $2,000 from a Mille Lacs lobbyist, $5,000 from the lobbyist's law firm and $2,000 from a lobbyist for the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association. The Mille Lacs Band and MIGA oppose efforts to expand gaming in the state, but Krinkie said the donations won't influence him.

Krinkie has said he supports the current tribal-state compact, which Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) tried to negotiate in order to take more money from tribes.

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Krinkie took donations from gambling interests (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 5/11)
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