Two Wisconsin newspapers and numerous others are challenging Governor Scott Walker’s move to delay a decision on the Menominee Nation’s 0 million off-reservation casino in Kenosha. A recent Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel op-ed piece questioned Walker’s request to the federal government for a six-month delay beyond the one-year deadline of August 23. That pushes the deadline beyond the November 4 election in which Walker is running for a second term as governor.
The Beloit Daily News also published an editorial calling Walker’s extension request “all the more confusing because the governor had set forth clear criteria for guiding his decision, and by his own words appeared to be headed toward a fairly rapid decision. Why the process suddenly shifted is something of a mystery. In a state struggling to create jobs and attract investment that ought to spark strong interest.”
But Walker defended the move and said he wants to be “deliberative” to make sure the new casino won’t result in job cuts elsewhere in the state. “Remember, the federal government took nine years on this. So I’m not exactly dragging my feet compared to the federal government,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re able to go forward with a project that not only adds value and jobs to Kenosha and Racine County, but ideally do so in a way that doesn’t take jobs away from other parts of the state and doesn’t cost the state money.”
Walker has brought in outside consultants to analyze the Kenosha casino’s impact. “There’s been a lot of banter since August about who is right and who is wrong. We’d like to have an objective source, free from any political decision, to give us insight on how fast to proceed with this,” he said.
One of two tribes strongly opposed to the Kenosha proposal is the Potawatomi, who recently announced they will change the name and logo of their successful Milwaukee-area casino from Potawatomi Bingo Casino to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. The change will take place this summer. The property opened in 1991 as Potawatomi Bingo.
General Manager Mike Goodrich said, “Changing the property’s name to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino marks an exciting new chapter in the storied evolution of our business. The new name also makes it clear what we offer. This will be very important as we attract new visitors from outside the area.”
The property’s new $150 million, 18-story, 381-room hotel officially will open this fall, featuring a full-service casual restaurant, lobby bar, exercise area and more than 10,000 feet of additional meeting space plus stunning view of Milwaukee. A third parking structure with room for more than 1,300 vehicles also will be built.
And in southern Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau Tribe and the city of Shullsburg have reached intergovernmental and development agreements regarding construction of a $132 million off-reservation casino-resort. Tribal President Tom Maulson said, “While we’re not at the finish line yet, I am very pleased with our government to government relationship.” Maulson said the agreement calls for the tribe to make payments from casino revenue to the city of at least $14 million a year after 10 years plus $5 million a year to the Shullsburg school district. The facility is expected to create 600 permanent jobs.
