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Native American Press/Ojibwe News Hatch decision in best interests of state and Indian peopleI was obviously elated by the recent decision by the Attorney General’s ruling that Indian gambling enterprise audits are public information under State law. I think it is the right decision for the right reasons, and it is in the best interests of the people of the State of Minnesota. The decision hopefully will result in the release of state-held casino audits, and also could well inspire a reconsideration of the whole Indian gambling industry in the state of Minnesota and make it more equitable—which would not only require a more equitable distribution of the gambling profits among Indian people but also that Indian casino revenues be shared with the state of Minnesota. <>The way it is now, Indian casinos hold a very inequitable monopoly on high-stakes gambling in the state of Minnesota. The $3 billion annual revenues from Indian gambling enterprises in the state benefit less than 10% of the sixty thousand Indian people in the state. The state and federally-sanctioned monopoly is controlled by a very select few, and the secrecy and unaccountability which have too often characterized Indian tribal governments in Minnesota create a casino business climate in which mismanagement and corruption could easily flourish. Other states have compacts which benefit the states on a much more rational basis—because of the consequences that widespread high-stakes gambling has for the state, Indian gambling enterprises need to share their revenues and take their fair share of responsibility. Any comprehensive and reasonable review of Indian gambling in the state of Minnesota would reveal that it is a net minus rather than a net plus. Since the state-tribal compacts were signed a decade ago, high-stakes gambling has consistently created more problems than it has solved and it continues to do so. Indian gambling enterprises have adverse impacts on crime, education, culture, and social structure in the Indian community. On certain reservations, there is a total preoccupation with it by tribal governments. The downside of gambling, the problems that it is causing, and the diversion of the economy should be spread out more equitably throughout the state. <>We have three tribes in northwestern Minnesota who recently expanded their casino businesses into other areas, and now are facing substantial financial problems. Some of them may very well go bankrupt, which will require bailouts, foreclosure and surrendering of casino management to the lending institutions. And, when the gambling enterprise audits are released—Indian people will finally be able to find out what our governments are doing with the gambling revenues, and will consequently be able to make better decisions at election time. It will open up the books so we can find out how and where Indian tribal governments are spending our money, and will enable us to prevent mismanagement or corruption by tribal officials I am astonished that Charlie Weaver, an attorney and former prosecutor and legislator, backed down because of threats that the tribes will not furnish audit information which they are legally required to provide. Weaver is the commissioner of the largest law enforcement in the state. It’s hard to imagine what he was thinking about, even if pressured by his staff—his decision was not a good logical decision when you think it.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press quoted Department of Administration policy analysis director Don Gemberling as saying that they will have a lawsuit over the release of casino audits. They would have had a lawsuit if they had made the decision the other way: the Minneapolis Star Tribune would have brought suit, and I was considering it as well.
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