Letter campaign initiated

Observer Staff

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal leaders are soliciting members and employees to engage in a letter writing campaign to oppose pending legislation that would allow slot machines at Michigan horse racing tracks.

The March 31 letter from Chief Audrey Falcon can be found at sagchip.org under "Outreach" on the home page.

"This campaign is being conducted to let State Sen. Jason Allen, chairman of the Gaming and Casino Oversight Committee, in the Michigan legislature that you oppose current legislation that would create nine new casinos at the horse tracks-including the local track at the Isabella County Fairgrounds," stated Falcon. "Defeating this legislation is critical to protecting quality jobs, as well as multimillion dollar semiannual investments in local governments and schools."

The Agriculture Enhancement Package is one of the ways the state is looking at tackling a $1.3 billion budget deficit. The three "racino" bills making up the package would allow the implementation and operation of up to 500 video lottery terminals as the seven licensed Michigan racetracks, as well as the Michigan Horse Racing Commissioner being able to issue up to 15 off-track betting parlor licenses to licensed horse track owners or licensed Detroit casino operators.

"There is no requirement for you to participate in this campaign and information provided by you will not be saved for any reason," she also stated. "This campaign is strictly voluntary."

Letters to Sen. Allen need to be addressed to P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909.