One of three tribes makes payment to state

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 | 9:12 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. -- The Oneida Nation paid the state $20 million Tuesday to comply with its gambling compact, but the Ho-Chunk Nation doesn't plan to deliver the $30 million payment it owes the state by today's deadline, officials said.

A third tribe hasn't disclosed whether it will make its payment.

Doubts about tribal payments have persisted since the state Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the provisions in the Forest County Potawatomi compact that make the deal never-ending and allow Las Vegas-style games at the tribe's casino.

The state's 10 other tribes signed similar deals with Gov. Jim Doyle, and tribal leaders are unsure whether their deals are still valid and how much money they might owe the state.

Doyle is counting on an additional $200 million in tribal gambling payments by June 2005 to balance the state budget. Of that amount, a total of $90.5 million from the Ho-Chunk, Oneida and Potawatomi was due by today.

The governor has argued that federal law, not state courts, control tribal gambling and the tribes' compacts remain valid despite the Supreme Court ruling.

Potawatomi officials said the tribe plans to make an announcement today about its payment.