University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, September 25, 1991
5
State's first casino may be built on Kickapoo Indian reservation
By William Ramsey Kansan staff writer
A gambling casino might be open for business in Kansas by this time next year if state and reservation officials set up guidelines soon, said the Kickapoo Indian tribal chairperson yesterday.
"We want to open a full range of casino gambling — Las Vegas-type casino gambling," said Steve Cadue, tribal chairperson.
"It could be the first major turnaround in recent times," he said.
Lance Burr, a Lawrence attorney, is working with the tribe to reach an agreement with the state as to how the casino will operate.
Gov. Joan Finney and other state officials sat down with tribal representatives on Monday for their first meeting. Federal law requires that the two groups meet to plan the casino's development and operation.
The reservation's economy is desperate. Burr said.
"I think the governor's been wonderful," Burr said. "I think she's been a real shot in the arm for the Kickapoo Nation."
Burr, who has been the tribe's general counsel for 20 years, said an operating casino would give important jobs to residents in and nearby the Kickapo Indian reservation, 40 miles northeast of Topoca.
Opposition to the casino surfaced Monday when the Rev. Richard Taylor, president of Kansan for Life, criticized the governor's office criticizing Finney
for supporting gambling.
He said casino gambling was not economic development.
"For a gambling enterprise to be successful, a lot of people must lose a lot of money." Taul said in his letter.
The mayor of Horton, a town of about 1,800 people six miles east of the reservation, said the casino would help the town's economy.
Cadue said the unemployment rate on the Kickapoo Reservation was at 50
"It would definitely be a plus for the city of Horton," said Mayor Edwin Bidron.
The construction of the casino could create 2016,300 new jobs during its initial years.
Cadue said starting the gambling operation would cost $5 million to $20 million. He said the money would be used to tribal funds and private investment.
"I'm not really jumping up and down about the idea of gambling," he said. "But it is probably the most feasible
economic development project that we can venture into."
Cadue said the casino was legal under federal and state law.
"I think the state officials are becoming more knowledgeable about our rights as an Indian nation and Indian sovereignty," Cadae said.
Glenn Feldman, a Phoenix attorney who specializes in federal Indian law, said yesterday that more tribes have become interested in starting gambling agreements with their state governments.
"It can be done and has been done," said Feldman, met with officials in Topeka and is assisting the Kickapoo tribe with negotiations.
Bill McCormick, governor's director of state and federal affairs, said that 10 states had entered into agreements with 21 different tribes.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
Budig questions state's support of KU
By Alexander Bloemhof
Kansan staff writer
Chancellor Gene A. Budig said yesterday that the state of Kansas had the resources to support the University of Kansas but that it might not have the
"Given the actions of the 1991 Legislature and the state's response to the destruction of Hoch Auditorium, one even has to wonder whether Kansas will do its part in the years ahead to provide basic support," Budig said.
Budigie kesterday at the faculty convocation in woodruff Auditorium
Featured at the convocation were
the introduction of new faculty members and the presentation of the Higuchi/Endowment Research Achievement Awards.
Institutions of higher education nationwide face difficult times,
He cited the statistics of the American Council on Education which showed that budgets for a majority of states were decreased or not kept up with inflation.
Budig said that the University had
scheduled a statewide series of alumni meetings, urging alumni to express their support for KU to legislators.
"The budget cuts must be restored, and adequate funds for salaries and operating expenses must be provided," Budig said. "Current funding levels are inadequate and will be disastrous if they are not increased."
"I believe this message will be heard and that our alumni can be depended upon to express their support in the strongest possible terms to the members of the Legislature and to the governor."
Among the challenges that KU faces are the restoration of Hoch and enrollment management, Shankel said.
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