DID YOU KNOW?
Gov. Tim Walz appointed two tribal leaders, Johnny Johnson and Melanie Benjamin, to the Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC). (Star Tribune, June 24, 2024)
The two tribal leaders are now part of the MRC, which has regulatory oversight for live horse racing and wagering, online wagering, and card clubs at both of Minnesota’s racetracks: Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus.
These two tribal members applied on a Thursday and were appointed by the governor to the MRC the next day. (Star Tribune, June 24, 2024)
One of the appointees is currently a defendant in a federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) suit filed by one of the racetracks they will be tasked with regulating. (United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Case 0:24-cv-01369, Filed April 16, 2024)
The other appointee received a plea deal for alleged fraud committed against the tribal casino she managed. (Star Tribune, June 24, 2024)
FOLLOW THE MONEY – Since 2012, the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, (MIGA) and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, (SMSC) has spent more on lobbying than the top 7 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in MN, combined, except for Xcel. The combined annual revenues for these 7 companies in 2023 were $710 billion.
To put this in perspective, MIGA and SMSC spent:
• 870% more than Target with annual revenues of $107.4 billion
• 810% more than United Health Group with annual revenues of $371.6 billion
• 550% more than 3M with annual revenues of $32.7 billion
The SMSC has spent:
• From 1990 – Present $6,428,567 supporting Federal Candidates, Political Action Committees and Parties.
• From 1996 – Present $6,020,100 supporting Minnesota Candidates, Political Action Committees and Parties.
• From 1998 – Present $6,420,000 on Federal Lobbying.
• From 1995 – Present $5,555,968 on State Lobbying
(MN Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board; Center for Responsive Politics)
The MIGA has spent:
• 1991 – Present $7,456,711 on Minnesota State Lobbying.
(MN Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board)
This is a total of $31,881,346. The vast majority of the donations are allocated to the DFL party.
Bear in mind, these amounts ONLY represent the money spent that is reportable, not the “dark money” which does not have to be disclosed.
The State of Minnesota gave members of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) more than 9 times in rebates/aid from taxpayer funds in 2024-2025 than you. This amount will double in 2025-2026 AND you continue to pay taxes.
SMSC received this aid even though they were “believed to be the richest tribe in
American history as measured by individual personal wealth: Each adult, according
to court records and confirmed by one tribal member, receives a monthly payment of
around $84,000, or $1.08 million a year.” (The New York Times, 8/9/12)
We believe that these figures have increased significantly over the past 12 years.
Why are taxpayers subsidizing the SMSC when they are making over $700 million
a year and paying no state or federal income tax?
