To the editor:
With one signature, Gov. Scott Walker can create thousands of Wisconsin jobs and generate over $35 million annually in new state revenue. He can help build a brighter future for one of the state’s poorest tribes, promote free-market competition and increase consumer choice.
Gov. Walker has the power to approve the Menominee Tribe’s proposed Kenosha casino, which has already been approved by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. On behalf of our 8,700 tribal members and everyone who wants more jobs and economic opportunity in our state, I ask the governor to use his pen to partner with Menominee. Our casino fits perfectly with his goal of creating 250,000 jobs and demonstrates that – to borrow his phrase – Wisconsin is open for business.
As we call on Gov. Walker to do what’s best for Wisconsin, the Forest County Potawatomi are calling on him with a different, anti-Wisconsin message.
The governor has suggested that our tribes work together in Kenosha, and we think that’s a great idea.
We’ve tried to talk with Potawatomi leaders many times over the past nine years, and we reached out yet again right after we received BIA approval. Potawatomi’s response has been to work against Wisconsin by trying to kill our project and keep their longtime monopoly.
Potawatomi’s opposition is disappointing given our tribes’ history of brotherhood. It’s puzzling because economic studies show plenty of room for two competing casinos.
Thirty years ago, the Potawatomi were as poor as Menominee.
Today, their gaming monopoly has made them wealthy, with successful business investments across the country.
Competition can be scary if you’ve never experienced it, but we are confident Potawatomi’s considerable business experience will help them excel in a competitive marketplace.
The Kenosha casino would create more than 3,300 permanent jobs, 1,400 construction jobs and another 1,800 indirect jobs – that’s 6,500 jobs in total. The anticipated $35 million annual payment to the state would essentially make the casino Wisconsin’s biggest taxpayer.
Over the past year, we’ve seen Gov. Walker show admirable grit and tenacity in promoting mining legislation to bring hundreds of jobs to Wisconsin. He got that difficult job done because those new jobs were important. He could do that again — many times over — just by approving the Kenosha casino.
Gov. Walker, please use your pen and leadership on job creation to just say “Yes” and partner with Menominee for a better Wisconsin.
Craig Corn
chairman
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
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