HO-CHUNK REFUSES PAYMENT
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005 -- 11:05 AM
The Ho-Chunk Nation says they don?t plan to make its payment of $30 million a year to the state, citing a court challenge that found the governor exceeded his authority in making a similar gaming compact with another tribe. The development prompted Republican Rep. Dean Kaufert, co-chairman of the Legislature's budget committee, to call on Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle to do whatever necessary to get the payment or "shut down all the Ho-Chunk-operated casinos in the state" until the issue is resolved. Tracy Littlejohn, public relations officer for the Ho-Chunk, told the La Crosse Tribune the tribe is not legally obligated to make the payments and would not make any under the terms of the compact. The Ho-Chunk operates casinos in Black River Falls, Baraboo and Nekoosa.Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.