And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Michigan attorney general considers arguing against state in casino lawsuit http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/qlatenf6.htm July 6, 1999 ASSOCIATED PRESS LANSING, Mich. -- Attorney General Jennifer Granholm is considering arguing against the state in a lawsuit involving five casino compacts approved last year. State Rep. Laura Baird, D-Okemos, and a group called Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos, are suing the state over the casino approval process for four Indian tribes. The compacts were approved in the state Senate and House of Representatives last December with a resolution. Baird and TOMAC argue that the compacts should have been approved by a change in state law. A change in law requires approval by a majority of elected legislators, while a resolution can be adopted by a majority of members present that day. The resolution was passed even though former Attorney General Frank Kelley had issued an opinion saying a change in law was required. Gov. John Engler said such determinations should be left up to the Legislature. "I think the (former) attorney general's decision actually misses the mark," he said. Granholm has not decided whether to intercede on the side of the plaintiffs, said her spokesman, Chris De Witt. "We would certainly defend the opinions of this office," De Witt said. "The difference here is that we have a change in attorney general." Granholm has hired private attorneys as special assistant attorneys general to defend the state in the case, he said. De Witt said the attorney general's office employs hundreds of outside lawyers each year. "They are brought in on cases often when there is expertise needed that is not available on staff or when the work load requires outside help," he said, adding that the casino lawyers were brought in for their expertise. De Witt said the decision to hire extra attorneys was made with Engler's approval. The governor's spokesman, John Truscott, said hiring outside counsel to avoid a potential conflict with the attorney general's position is "fairly routine." The compacts were approved for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in New Buffalo; the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Mackinaw City; the Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians in Battle Creek; and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee. Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
