MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Governor Scott Walker says he will not change his mind about rejecting the proposed Kenosha casino.
With a federal deadline of Wednesday looming for a final decision, the Menominee Indian Tribe made a last ditch offer a week ago. It promised to cover the state’s proposed $220 million in bonding for a new Milwaukee Bucks’ arena, in exchange for Walker’s approval of the Menominee’s $800 million Hard Rock gaming complex.
The offer was made public while the governor was in London for a trade mission. His administration expected Walker to reject it, and he did so Monday in a letter to the tribe.
The governor said such a trade-off was never mentioned during his 18 months of negotiations for the Menominee casino.
Tribal chairman Gary Besaw said he was disappointed, but he hopes Walker will at least meet with Menominee leaders face-to-face Wednesday in Madison.
A number of tribal members have been walking since last Friday from their headquarters in Keshena to Madison try to meet with Walker and make a final pitch.
Walker contends that a Kenosha casino could leave the state open to millions in payments to the Potawatomi tribe, should the new casino result in lower revenues to the existing Potawatomi gaming house in Milwaukee.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
