Oneida could lose gaming compact

Jenny Price

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001 | 4:39 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. - The state will not renew its gaming compact with the Oneida unless the tribe pays the $4.85 million it owes, Administration Secretary George Lightbourn said Wednesday.

The money was due Dec. 30, and Lightbourn said that if the state does not receive a payment from the tribe by 5 p.m. Friday, the governor will issue a notice that the compact won't be renewed when it expires in May 2003.

"There will be a significant change in our approach with that tribe on gaming. It'll be a much tougher stance," Lightbourn said.

The Oneida agreed to make the yearly payment in a gaming compact extension signed with Thompson in May 1998.

But tribal Chairman Gerald Danforth told Gov. Tommy Thompson in a letter last month that the tribe wouldn't pay until the governor and the tribe meet to "get a better understanding on why these monies are being spent the way they are."

Danforth said the state has violated a memorandum of understanding connected with the compact extension. It called for the governor to make his best efforts to use the money for economic-development initiatives to benefit tribes and regions around casinos.

The money also was to be used for tourism promotion and support of programs of the county in which the tribe is located.

Funding areas the tribe is questioning include snowmobile-enforcement programs, elk-population management and studies of crop damage by cranes, Danforth said in the letter.

Lightbourn said there is no provision in the compact that permits the tribe to refuse payment if it objects to how the state spends the money. The process to resolve disputes provided for under the contract does not allow withholding of payments.

"Not making the payment is not an option," he said.

Tribal leaders made the first payment under the extension last year under protest, asking that the governor meet with them about their concerns.

Oneida spokeswoman Bobbi Webster did not immediately return messages left at her office Wednesday seeking comment.