Proposed legislative oversight of off-reservation casinos got a hearing at the Capitol Tuesday. Potawatomi Attorney General Jeff Crawford, said his tribe favors letting the legislature have final say on such projects. "Wisconsin's current law is not fair," said Crawford. "A governor past, current or future should not be burdened with being the sole decision maker, without any input from the legislature."
Beloit casino spokesman Joe Hunt accused the Potawatomi of being disingenuous. "They have an off-reservation casino, they did it without legislative oversight," noted Hunt. John Alberts, lobbyist for the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa, said the tribes proposing casinos in Beloit and Kenosha have followed rules that have been in place for years. Alberts, himself a former legislator, asked committee members whether it is "appropriate to change those rules, this far down the line?" And Menominee Tribal Chair, Lisa Waukau, charged the bill (from state Rep. Robin Vos) is an effort by the Potawatomi to block proposed Kenosha and Beloit casinos.
