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Snyder, Schuette Oppose Lansing Casino

Governor Rick Snyder and state Attorney General Bill Schuette have told a northern Michigan Indian tribe they will do whatever is necessary to stop a casino from being built in downtown Lansing. The proposed casino would go up just a few blocks from the state Capitol. 

The Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewas already operates five casinos in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The tribe has proposed a new casino in downtown Lansing on a parcel that is not currently considered tribal property.

The governor and the attorney general say that means the land cannot be used for a tribal casino. John Sellek is a spokesman for the attorney general.

“This project just cannot fly the way the law is set up currently,” he says.

Tribal spokesman Roger Martin says the legal argument is a new one, but he says the project complies with the law.

"It’s pretty clear we have the right to take this land into trust,” he says.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero also backs the project. Bernero says he “respectfully disagrees” with Governor Snyder --  his adversary in the 2010 race for governor.  

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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