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Mon, 24 Jan 2000
http://www.discoveromaha.com/partners/wowt/news/2000/01/gambling_24.html

Plan would legalize gambling

Members of Nebraska's four American Indian tribes are lining up in support of a proposal in the Legislature to legalize gambling on
Indian-owned land.

The Legislature's General Affairs Committee had a hearing scheduled Monday on the proposed constitutional amendment.

Lincoln Senator DiAnna Schimek proposed the measure. She says the issue is one of sovereignty, not gambling.

Schimek's proposal would allow Nebraska tribes to operate casinos on reservation land owned by the tribe as of 1988.

It would take 30 votes to pass the proposal, which then would have to be approved by voters before it would be added to the State
Constitution.

===

Tue, 25 Jan 2000
http://www.journalstar.com/stories/neb/sto1

Casino supporters, foes testify at state Legislature
BY BOB REEVES
Lincoln Journal Star

Dan Hazuka can still remember his father coming home drunk -- and broke -- because he had gambled the family's grocery money
away.

Hazuka, 56, an Omaha businessman, grew up to own a bar and pool hall himself -- contributing to the same addictions that had
ruined his dad. He said it took him many years to get free from his own addictions and turn his life around.

He was one of many who spoke in opposition Monday to LR289 CA, a proposed state constitutional amendment that would let
voters decide whether to allow casino gambling on Indian reservations.

Speaking in favor of the resolution before the Legislature's General Affairs Committee were attorneys and leaders for all four recognized
Indian tribes in Nebraska, all arguing that the amendment would restore the sovereign right of  tribes to govern their own affairs.

Butch Denney, chairman of the Santee Sioux tribe, wore a T-shirt with the words "Sovereignty is not negotiable" while he urged the
committee to advance the resolution to the full Legislature. "We feel strongly that we are a sovereign nation and should be able to
do what we need to promote economic development," he said.

For the past three years, his tribe has been running a casino illegally, racking up $6,000 a day in fines. The amendment could end that,
by allowing  the state to negotiate a compact to allow the casino to operate.

Tribes have tried to attract industries, and failed, said Edward McCauley, representing the Omaha tribe. Both the Omaha and
Winnebago tribes,  with reservations in Thurston County, have casinos across the river in Iowa that provide jobs and bring
in income that has been reinvested in schools, social services and as seed money for other development projects.

All surrounding states have casino gambling on reservations which attract Nebraska money, several speakers said. "I firmly believe if
this issue is put before the vote of the people of Nebraska, it will pass," McCauley said.

The Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs supports the amendment, said Judi Morgan, executive director of the commission
and a member of the Ponca tribe, which has no reservation in the state. "The commission believes the sovereignty of tribes is inherent,"
she said.

She reviewed the "economic benefits" tribal gaming has produced in Minnesota, where Indian-run casinos have created 11,459 new jobs,
paying more than $188 million in wages and $7.6 million in state income taxes. "Tribal gaming is the second largest tourist attraction
in the state, next to Mall of America," she said.

But opponents argued that the amendment would be the first step to proliferation of casinos, which currently are illegal in Nebraska.

"This is nothing more than a "back-door' method of attempting to get a foothold for casino gambling in the state of Nebraska," said
the Rev.  Lauren Ekdahl, pastor of Lincoln's Trinity United Methodist Church. He termed casino gambling "economic cannibalism"
because it "creates an environment that thrives on addictive behavior and irresponsible money management." Prior to the
hearing, Gambling with the Good Life, an organization opposing all forms of gambling in the state, held a news conference urging that
the resolution be killed.

"Nebraskans do not want casino gambling. We have more than enough" other forms of gambling, including keno, pickle cards and
the state lottery, said Pat Loontjer, director of Gambling with the Good Life. "Problem gambling is an addiction that destroys families.
Why would you want to promote such an industry?" Trisha Arndt, an attorney and board member of the National Coalition Against
Legalized Gambling, talked about the impact Indian gaming had on her home state of Michigan. It started with a few casinos on tribal
lands, but proliferated to casinos throughout the state -- and eventually to  laws allowing non-Indian casinos as well, she said.

Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek, sponsor of LR289CA, stressed that the amendment specifically limits casinos to reservation lands
recognized in October 1988. However, Arndt argued that once casinos are allowed, tribes could get federal recognition for additional lands
and build more casinos.

Schimek said she has always opposed gambling but decided to introduce LB289CA because other attempts at reservation economic
development haven't worked. "The Legislature needs to take a pro-active step in solving some of the problems that face Indian tribes
in Nebraska," she said.

--
Bob Reeves can be reached at breeves@journalstar.com or 473-7212.

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