As long as the rivers flow and the grass grows or until we want it

[dflprincess]

or history repeats itself

In 1990, Minnesota negotiated a deal with the Indians giving them exclusive gaming rights in Minnesota. This agreement was said to be in "perpetuity" though there was a clause that said the agreement could be amended if both sides agreed to negotiate. As part of this agreement tribes pay the state $150,000 a year for the costs of some state regulation.

That was back before Minnesota had budget problems and a governor who absolutely, positively won't raise taxes. When you have a governor like that what else can he do but look to history to see what other leaders have done when in a tight spot. The answer he found? Back out of the deal made with the Indians. According to Pawlenty, the deals made 15 years ago don't reflect the current situation (I think that was said after gold was discovered in the Black Hills).

In his State of the State address Governor (and Bush stooge) Pawlenty announced it was time to take another look at the gaming compact made with the tribes in the state. Among his suggestions was that the tribes could make a "financial contribution" to the state in exchange for a continued monopoly on gambling (isn't this black mail?)

per the Minneapolis Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/4362947.html

"We want to send a message that the status quo needs to change. ... I'm just intentionally going to let this percolate for awhile," he said.

He said he understood tribes' reluctance to open the compacts and suggested that perhaps crafting a new compact might work better than amending the one crafted in the 1980s.
Pawlenty met last month with leaders of nine of the state's 11 tribes about the future of gambling.

The tribes responded with a letter that said they wouldn't re-negotiate of the compacts, which cannot legally be reopened unless both sides agree. And they said they wouldn't consider an arrangement that reduced revenues used for basic tribal needs. Any changes in gaming, they said in the letter obtained by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, would have to be of some benefit to the tribes and protect them from future competition.

Richard Jones, speaking only for himself as a member of the Leech Lake band, said even allowing the casinos to have more games - roulette, for instance - probably wouldn't help some that are in less populous locations.
<end snip>

Personally, I think this stinks. I've always thought the Indians taking advantage of their lands federal status to circumvent state gambling laws was poetic justice.