Take Action Now! CTV Alert December 9, 2020 Urgent Action Alert!! MI Legislature Considers Massive Expansion of Casino Gaming! The Michigan House and Senate are wrapping up their “lame duck” session of the legislature, and one issue coming out of nowhere is a resolution that could open the door for a massive expansion of casino gaming in Michigan.  CTV has consistently opposed the expansion of gambling and casinos for over 20 years. We believe that the devastating impact on families and communities far outweighs the so-called financial benefits. The issue at hand is a proposed casino to be operated by the Little River Band of Ottowa Indians on historically non-tribal land in Muskegon County. This tribe already has a gaming contract agreement with Michigan put in place in 1998 permitting them to operate one casino, their current casino, on “Eligible Indian Lands” in Mason or Manistee County. The proposed Muskegon casino is not located on eligible historic tribal land and does not qualify under the old Compact, making a change necessary before they can proceed. Some Legislators are offering a resolution supporting this gaming expansion although there have been no hearings on the subject of new “off reservation” casinos for Michigan. This will likely pave the way for tribes to open many more such casinos in places like Lansing, Romulus, Port Huron, and Pontiac. Leaders and pastors, who have raised concern in Muskegon, have not had the opportunity to make their case to the Michigan Legislature and they deserve an opportunity to be heard. Moreover, other Native American tribes leaders from across the state also oppose this action. Bob Peters, (Chairman of the Gun Lake Tribe), Jamie Stuck (Chairman of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi), and Tim Davis (Chief of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe) issued the following statement: “We are unified in calling on the Michigan Legislature to reject the ill-conceived and illegal compact resolution being pushed by backers of the off-reservation casino proposed by the Little River Band (LRB) near Muskegon...LRB seeks to break the promise it made to the other tribes, and the people of Michigan, by evading its agreement to obtain the consent of the other Michigan tribes before pursuing an off-reservation casino. This proposal would establish a terrible precedent that would cause the end of the regulation of Indian gaming in Michigan as we know it, thereby allowing off-reservation casinos to proliferate unchecked. The governor and legislature must stop this power grab now.” We are urging legislators to at least slow things down and allow this effort to be fully examined before we rush headlong into allowing “Off Reservation Casinos” across the state. Such an important move deserves time, attention, and a fair hearing. TAKE ACTION! If you are opposed to the expansion of gambling in Michigan, please let your voice be heard. CALL or EMAIL your legislator along with our leaders in the House and Senate. Find your Representative: Michigan House of Representatives Speaker Lee Chatfield: 517-373-2629, [email protected] Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey: 517-373-5932, [email protected] Both of these leaders are honorable men and have always stood strong for our conservative values. THANK THEM for their consistent conservative record, and encourage them to continue on that path! PLEASE ACT IMMEDIATELY! The House and Senate might move this resolution at any moment. Thank you for your diligence in defending traditional values in Michigan. Sincerely, James Muffett CTV President Citizens for Traditional Values | PO Box 80295, Lansing, MI 48908 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!