The Potawatomi Indian tribe filed suit today, to try-and-reverse the federal government's rejection of possible state tax payments if a competing casino is approved for Kenosha.
Back in November, state officials agreed to guarantee state payments to make up for whatever money the Potawatomi loses as a direct result of the proposed Menominee Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha. The U-S Bureau of Indian Affairs turned down the arrangement earlier this month. In its lawsuit, the Potawatomi said the bureau exceeded its authority.
The Potawatomi have one of the state's most lucrative casinos in Milwaukee, where it opened a hotel last year. It has long fought the Kenosha project, saying it would cut into the tribe's Milwaukee gaming revenues. Earlier this week, the Menominee tribe said it struck an agreement to amend its gaming compact, to pay more than a billion dollars to the state over 25 years. The tribe said the money would easily cover any lost revenues for the Potawatomi and the Ho-Chunk tribes.
The Menominee said their deal should pave the way for Governor Scott Walker to approve the Kenosha casino. Walker has until February 19th to make his decision.
