Legislators want answers on tribal deal

Wednesday, March 5, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. -- State senators want the governor to explain how Wisconsin would regulate the Forest County Potawatomi's casinos under his deal with the tribe before they vote on whether to override his veto of legislation giving lawmakers final say on gaming compacts.

The Senate put off a vote late Monday to override Gov. Jim Doyle's veto amid Democratic complaints that Republicans were stalling because they didn't have enough support to prevail.

Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, countered that Doyle had not answered key questions on the compact, which has no expiration date. She said senators need the information to make an informed decision and Doyle hadn't answered questions about audits of tribal revenues and profits.

The delay was the latest twist in the most bitterly partisan political feud of Doyle's young administration.

The Democratic governor vetoed the legislation Friday, saying it would undermine the state's ability to get more money from the tribes to help cover Wisconsin's $3.2 billion budget deficit. He is counting on $237 million in extra revenue from gaming compacts in the next two years.