Column: Don't punish tribes for gaming compacts

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Facebook Twitter Email
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2003

"Watching the apoplectic reaction to Gov. Jim Doyle's gaming compact agreement with the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin has been a bit discouraging to those who were hoping a spirit of teamwork might develop between the new administration and the Legislature.

The tribe has agreed to pay the state $38 million over the first two years, 6 percent of its net winnings in year three, and between 4 and 5 percent annually through year nine, when the annual payment will settle in at 4.5 percent of net winnings. The estimate is that will be somewhere between $6 million and $11 million a year in 2003 dollars, compared to the fixed $4.85 million annual payment under the soon-to-expire existing compact.

The fact that the new payments are based on a percentage, rather than a fixed amount, guarantees that the state's share will increase as the tribe's fortunes increase. Under the old deal, the Chevrolet could evolve into a Cadillac and the dealer would still be paying sales tax on the Chevy. It also protects the tribe from complete disaster should the car unexpectedly devolve into a Yugo."

Get the Story:
Warren Bluhm: Too late to change the rules on Oneida (The Green Bay News-Chronicle 2/25)