( January 10, 2006— Madison, WI) “If Governor Doyle is truly sincere about cleaning up politics, he should begin by supporting AB-461 and the system of checks and balances it provides for off-reservation approvals,” said Brian Nemoir, Executive Director of Enough!
“Currently, the governor is the only individual in the state that has any say when it comes to off-reservation proposals. The current situation fails the common sense test and has been abused in order to create a million dollar windfall of campaign cash for the single individual charged with making the final decision.”
Currently, only the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Governor have oversight of any off-reservation proposals. AB-461 would require legislative concurrence prior to the governor offering the final support or opposition to the federal government’s opinion. AB-461 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate this coming Wednesday before the Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
Last week Governor Doyle presented an ethical reform package in the wake of revelations that there are both federal and state investigations into his fundraising practices. A key component of the Governor’s package included a ban on fundraising during the budget process for legislators.
“Banning fundraising by legislators during the budget, but not banning fundraising from interests associated with off-reservation proposals during the period of consideration is a stark example of ethical hypocrisy falling short of true reform,” said Nemoir.
It has been reported that the Governor received considerable help from the tribes in 2002 while running for the office he now holds. Over $700,000 was contributed by some of the same tribes now looking to have their off-reservation proposals approved by the Governor. Tribal generosity has continued, with the Governor already collecting $150,000 during the past year from interests associated with the plan to turn the Kenosha dog track into an off-reservations casino.
“The Governor’s support of legislative oversight of off-reservation proposals (AB-461) would help provide the needed guarantee that the interests of the residents of this state and not only the well-oiled special interests of the tribe are at the forefront of these key policy decisions.”
AB-461 was approved by the Assembly this past September with bi-partisan support. Enough! has communicated with its supporters encouraging them to contact members of the Senate and the Governor asking for action on the bill as well as support.
As Attorney general and through his election as Governor, Governor Doyle has made strong comments in support of legislative review of off-reservation proposals during an interview with the popular political website, Wispoltics.com, in December of 2002 shortly after his election.
It seemed to me that the question of off-reservation gambling in particular is one that the state Legislature should decide, because that's really a large policy decision for the state… And I thought that that's the area in particular where the Legislature, as the elected representatives of the people, ought to have some say.
--Governor-elect Jim Doyle, WisPolitics.com ( 12/30/2002)
Comments coming from the Governor’s office after the Assembly approved AB-461 indicate a sharp departure from earlier positions and a possible veto, with a key Doyle aide stating, “The federal government gives the governor this authority, it just doesn’t make sense to have 132 people out there negotiating.”
AB-461 would not allow the legislature to negotiate compacts as some would fear, but rather allow the legislators from the host community of the proposed off-reservation casino, as well as those legislators from every corner of this state impacted by the proposal to take into consideration what the Governor has called a, “…really a large policy decision for the state.”
In response to the various complex and far-reaching issues associated with off-reservation gaming, and to prevent the appearance of any undue influence on a single decision maker, many states have an expanded review processes engaging either the legislature or a commission. Currently, there are five states ( Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Idaho and Connecticut) that employ either legislative review or a commission review of off-reservation proposals.
“Legislative review has been recognized as a common sense point of review approach by other states,” said Nemoir. “Governor Doyle would be well-served by supporting legislative review, which would truly force off-reservation proposals to stand on their merits and help ease fears of undue political influence.”
Enough! is a growing and diverse grassroots coalition opposed to the expansion of off-reservation gambling in Wisconsin. For more information please contact Brian J. Nemoir, Executive Director at 608.268.6777 or visit:
www.enoughwi.com