MADISON (WITI) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is asking Gov. Scott Walker to change his mind. They want the governor to know it’s not too late to change his position on the a Menominee Tribe casino in Kenosha. But Gov. Walker says that won’t happen.
Ten lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, signed a joint letter to Gov. Walker. They say some of the concerned he expressed about the proposed casino have been addressed. Now, they’re hoping the governor will reconsider.
Walker said last Friday, January 23rd he was not going to approve the $800 million casino, citing concerns over potential losses to the state due to terms of a compact with the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe.
CLICK HERE to read the complete letter issued by the bipartisan group
Reaction to Walker’s decision was swift.
“I can’t tell you the number of Republicans who have called me, emailed me, or texted me saying `What’s wrong with this governor? Can’t he see what an enormous opportunity he is passing up?” said Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D).
Gov. Walker spoke to reporters on Wednesday. He doubled down — repeating his reasons for rejecting the casino proposal.
“It’s been proved repeatedly through the outside counsel, we engaged in and others that if we approved the casino in Kenosha, it would cost us about $100 million right now; it would cost us two to three times more that in the future. I can’t have a hole that size in the state budget without somewhere to fill it,” said Walker.
The lawmakers who signed the joint letter say Hard Rock and the Menominee already had a plan to cover any potential losses the Potawatomi would suffer.
“That’s why Hard Rock went out and secured the $250 million bond off of numbers they were able to secure through the lawsuit. So I thought they answered that question 18 hours before the decision came down,” said St. Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R).
“That’s a game-changer,” said St. Sen. Van Wanggaard (R). “So I think if you’re now gonna reevaluate because you have new information, that’s stepping up and making a good decision.”
Gov. Walker says in the end, the risk of having to reimburse the Potawatomi is just too great. The lawmakers say with the potential for nearly 10,000 jobs, the casino is a risk worth taking.
“He can no longer say with a straight face that jobs is his top priority,” said Barca.
The bipartisan group of lawmakers scheduled a news conference at the State Capitol for Thursday, January 29th at 10:30 a.m. Those who have been invited to participate are:
- Senator Van Wanggaard (R-21)
- Speaker Robin Vos (R-63)
- Senator Bob Wirch (D-22)
- Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-61)
- Rep. Peter Barca (D-64)
- Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-65)
- Rep. Cory Mason (D-66)
- Rep. Dave Craig (R-83)
- Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-36)
- Rep. Tom Weatherston (R-62)
Others invited to participate are Mayor Keith Bosman (City of Kenosha), Kenosha Alderman and Kenosha County Supervisors, representatives from the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, and business, union & construction industry representatives.
Additionally, supporters of the casino project in the Kenosha area on Wednesday launched a petition drive asking Walker to reconsider his decision.
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