Tribe claims Wisconsin is violating gaming compact

MADISON, Wis. - The Stockbridge-Munsee Indians have accused the state of violating the terms of their gaming compact by stalling on the distribution of the tribe's $650,000 payment, which was to go to mutually acceptable programs.

Tribal leaders signed the gambling agreement in August 1998. It included a $650,000 annual payment for five years. Under the original seven-year compacts that started expiring in 1998, Wisconsin's 11 Indian tribes paid a total of $350,000 a year to keep their casinos open.

Robert Chicks, Stockbridge-Munsee president, said the tribe made its payment on time, but Gov. Tommy Thompson has failed to make his "best effort," as required by the compact, to distribute the money to programs agreed upon with the state.

The tribe submitted a written notice of its complaints to state officials Tuesday. Under the compact, both sides must meet to resolve the dispute.

Chicks said Thompson's veto of a budget provision that would have established a law enforcement and public safety initiative on the reservation is "a direct conflict with the compact."

"We are extremely disappointed that the state chooses to be very selective about which terms of the agreement it wishes to meet," Chicks said.

Administration officials said the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe has not made arrangements to reimburse local governments that provide services such as police and fire protection, which was part of the agreement.

"The state has upheld every bit of the agreement," said Kevin Keane, a spokesman for the governor. "If there's been any concern, it's whether the tribes are keeping up their end of the bargain."

Chicks also said state officials have failed to consult or meet with the tribe on how to spend the money.

"We did meet with the tribe," said F. Scott Scepaniak, administrator of the state Division of Gaming. "There were several meetings that we held in conjunction with the budget ... tribal leaders participated."

Scepaniak also said money is still available for the law enforcement program and tribes can apply for a grant through the state Office of Justice Assistance.

Thompson said in his veto message that he was "reluctant to return any Indian gaming compact revenue directly to the tribes."

If no resolution is reached within 90 days, either side may pursue other remedies, including court action.

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