From the Houston Chronicle: “In a move described as questionable and a potential time bomb, the state’s budget balances on a gamble it will win a court case against the Ho-Chunk Nation.”If the state loses, a $72 million hole could be blown into Wisconsin’s budget.
“Passed just a week ago, the budget assumes that a court will order the Ho-Chunk to make payments to the state that the tribe says it does not owe. The state Department of Administration estimates the tribe will owe about $72 million in fees under its gambling compact by June 30, 2009.
“But a lawsuit over the money is pending in federal court and there are no guarantees that the state will win, get as much as it is seeking, or that payment will be received during the current budget cycle.
“I would consider this a potential time bomb inside the budget,” said Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay. He questioned assistant Department of Administration Secretary Dan Schoof about the case during a hearing Wednesday related to a state audit of casino payments.”
Seems like a stretch to balance a government budget with the anticipation of winning a lawsuit, given the uncertainties of litigation. Michigan just passed its budget. One wonders if the Legislature counted the revenues it might win in the Keno case.
Turtle Talk 
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