US: Michigan Court questions its role in casino compact case

Almost six years after former Gov. John Engler signed compacts allowing Indian casinos in Manistee, Petoskey, Battle Creek and New Buffalo, the Michigan Supreme Court is about to decide if those agreements should be revoked, South Bend Tribune reported. After hearing arguments on Thursday, the justices pondered whether they should venture at all into relations among state, federal and tribal governments. The case could affect the future of at least two casinos already operating and three more that are pending. It also could have implications for all 17 Indian casinos in the state. “We're operating in a zone that is out of the province of the state of Michigan,” said Justice Robert Young Jr. He also says Indian reservations are “foreign land where we have no jurisdiction.” “Our (state) constitution is just silent on this," added Justice Clifford Taylor. "…Effectively, you're asking us to create law.” The four compacts in question were signed in 1998. Later that year, the state Legislature approved the compacts with a resolution requiring the majority vote of lawmakers present at the time. Casino opponents say the Legislature's resolution is not law, and that the legislative approval required should be a formal bill, which would need a majority vote of all lawmakers, not just those present. Michigan's 17 Indian casinos pay a portion of their revenue to the state of Michigan's strategic fund. The casinos have provided more than $10 million annually to local communities in recent years, according to Michigan Gaming Control Board.