Business, labor back compacts

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003 | 11:14 a.m.

A friend-of-the-court brief filed in mid-December said that upsetting the gambling compacts would have a "devastating effect" on Wisconsin's economy.

The brief said voiding the compacts could cost 35,000 jobs, block $1 billion in new construction, end Indian grants to charities and community groups, and cost the state treasury more than $200 million in the current biennium.

The brief was filed on behalf of Menomonee Valley Partners Inc., a Milwaukee business group; the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council; Teamster Locals 200 and 344; Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, and the Indian Community School of Milwaukee.

Republicans who control the state Legislature filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court in April challenging the governor's authority to negotiate the compacts.

archive