Petitions Filed for the U. S. Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Lansing Casino Project

A move by Attorney General Bill Schuette has taken the issue of whether a casino should be built in Lansing out of local hands.

The Lansing State Journal is reporting today that Schuette has filed a petition asking that the U. S. Supreme Court to decide the issue.

The A.G. and Governor Rick Snyder are looking to block the project for the downtown Lansing area claiming it could cut revenue to the state from other gaming facilities that pay for a limit in competition.

Schuette is asking the justices to overturn a lower court ruling that allowed members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to move forward with the $245 million Kewadin Casino.

Schuette says the Appellate Court ruling sets a dangerous precedent.

"This ruling not only thwarts the state's bargained-for ability to limit off-reservation gaming, it has a negative impact on Michigan's other tribes, many of which signed compacts with identical language barring trust applications for off-reservation gaming."

The main proponent of the project, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernaro, vows to continue to fight to get the facility built.  He says Lansing needs the revenue and job creation.

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