Feb 22, 2003
Lawmakers Hold Special Session on Gaming Compact

By Jason Zimmerman

An emergency special session is underway at the state Capitol. Legislators, mostly Republicans, are outraged by the new gaming compact Governor Doyle made with the Oneida tribe. All bets are off whether this deal will stand.

Calling it wrong for Wisconsin, many legislators denounced the deal fearing it would lead to an explosion of new gambling. It allows Oneida casinos to offer more games, such as roulette and craps, and set their own hours. It's a permanent agreement, meaning the tribe won't have to come back to the negotiating table every five years.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin is also upset about the unlimited gaming compact. At a news conference in Madison on Thursday, members spoke out in favor of legalizing video gambling machines. Many members say it's about leveling the playing field.

"We'd like to have the video gaming machines to keep people occupied. People don't drink all the time like they used to years ago. We have to do business, our places of business are important to us," supper club owner Herb Feil said.

State Senator Dave Zien, an Eau Claire Republican, drafted a bill he says would allow taverns to have up to five gaming machines.

"We are extremely concerned. Basically this building is in a state of outrage over what appears to be a giveaway of gambling forever," Senator Robert Welch (R-Redgranite) said.

"Bottom line: unlimited jackpot, unlimited craps, unlimited roulette, gambling 24 hours a day, 52 weeks a year," Sen. David Zien (R-Eau Claire) said.

In return for the autonomy, the Oneida will pay more to the state than it was giving under the current compact-- a lot more. This year the tribe will give the state almost $5 million. Next year, under the new agreement, it would pay the state $20 million, another $20 million in 2005, then $18 million in 2006. After that, the tribe will give a share of its net winnings, expected to be between $6 and $11 million a year.

By calling this emergency session, some lawmakers hope to pass a bill requiring the governor to get the Legislature's consent before making any future agreements.

Senator Dave Hansen, a Green Bay Democrat, said, "The compacts have been in the hands of the governor. Nobody complained before, but they are complaining now."

"We don't need to sit there and negotiate every detail, but we should be able to do what other states do and ratify these compacts," Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) said.

If the bill did pass, the governor would likely veto it. Legislators must ensure they have enough votes to override a veto.

Oneida Nation leaders told us they oppose any effort to limit their ability to contribute to the growing economy in their communities.

The special session is expected to go late into the night.