Posted on 01/25/2007 11:15:15 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to ban smoking in all public places, including bars, is likely to reignite a longstanding feud between local tavern owners and casinos owned by American Indian tribes.
The casinos would be exempt from the proposed ban because they are located on tribal lands not subject to state or local laws.
The smoking ban proposal announced Wednesday "would probably not apply to us," said Katie Funmaker, a spokeswoman for the Ho-Chunk tribe, which operates casinos in Wisconsin Dells and Black River Falls and the Dejope gaming facility on Madison's east side.
Funmaker noted that smoking is allowed at Dejope despite the city's ban on smoking in taverns and restaurants.
Other tribes also indicated that they believe the proposed ban would not apply to their casinos.
Some state lawmakers have said they may propose exempting taverns from the proposed smoking ban. Legislation to enact the ban has not yet been drafted; Doyle is expected to send it to lawmakers later this month.
The tribes' ability to offer legal gambling has been a source of irritation to tavern owners for years. Tavern owners contend that federal law allows the casinos to unfairly compete with local bars.
Lawmakers eased some of the tension in 1999 when they allowed tavern owners to have up to five video poker machines without facing any criminal penalties.
But the smoking ban will renew charges of unfair competition, said Tomah tavern operator Ed Thompson, who faced criminal charges in 1998 for having video poker machines in his Tee Pee Supper Club. The charges were later dropped.
"It's the age-old thing of 'Why can they do it when I can't?'" said Thompson, who was also a Libertarian gubernatorial candidate in 2002. "How can anybody say that's fair?"
Funmaker responded, "The difference is we are a sovereign nation, where the taverns are not. Our sovereignty allows us to govern ourselves.
"If the state is going to try to enforce this (ban), it's like the Ho-Chunk Nation trying to make policy for the state of Wisconsin. We are a separate government, and our sovereignty allows for these things."
She added that unlike taverns, the Ho-Chunk and other tribes also pay the state millions in casino revenues.
"So there are some things the taverns are able to do that we can't," she said.
Thompson said the ban probably won't have much effect on his business, which is located about 27 miles from the Ho-Chunk casino in Black River Falls and about 40 miles from the tribe's casino in Wisconsin Dells.
"It's not like somebody is going to drive that distance just so that they can have a cigarette with their beer," he said, adding that his restaurant is already smoke-free. "But it's going to be a death blow for some of these little places that just have a shot and a beer."
Funmaker noted that smoking is banned in all tribal workplaces except the casinos.
"Maybe in the future our tribal legislature may look into making our (casino) operations smoke-free as well," she said.
"Daily Doyle" Ping!
You're gonna love this angle! :)
Re: Your comments on Doyle on this same subject in another post yesterday. :)
Time to close the borders and let the "sovereign nations" fend for themselves. No police or fire protection, healthcare, etc.
To be consistent, businesses owned by illegal aliens should also be exempt from all laws.
Good one, Jack! :)
We have the same thing going on in Nevada...no smoking EXCEPT in casinos. Even non-Indian casinos..money rules.
I'm shocked, just shocked, that Doyle's largest campaign contributers would benefit from a law he proposed.
Gotta love that 55% that re-elected this clown.
Ya Cheif... and who pays your bills?
The casinos gave heavily to the first Doyle election. If they are sovereign nations, shouldn't they have special restrictions on campaign donations?
A new one coming down the pike in Kenosha, WI! If I'm remembering correctly, the developer donated a lot to Doyle for this past campaign.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=557013
I heard on the radio the other day the developers of the new casino were the biggest donors to doyle last election cycle.
I hope he signs it...it will tick off the potawotami tribe. Maybe they'll spend their cash somewhere else in 2010.
Lord I hope I'm out of the state by that time.
One would think. I mean, I'm surprised Doyle's hand-picked Elections Board didn't look into it...
Oh, that's right! They were too busy stonewalling and smearing my candidate Congressman Mark Green (R) over HIS campaign donations when it looked like he was going to defeat Doyle!
Am I still bitter? A little. ;)
Nanny State Ping...........
I think I just might ring that girly up. LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.