Lansing - An eclectic group of protesters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday to urge the state Senate to vote against a series of bills that would add casino-like games to Michigan's horse racetracks.
More than 200 people gathered for the protest, including local government officials, American Indian tribal members, Detroit residents and casino employees, anti-gambling activists and other concerned citizens.
Several petitions were passed around by various event organizers to get the issue on the November ballot.
Protesters stood in the cold wind for more than an hour demonstrating, speaking and chanting, "Salute tribe elders; say no to racinos."
Grace Taylor, a longtime Detroit resident, said she came as a concerned senior citizen.
"In Detroit, every opportunity that comes up to get Detroit on its feet - like the casino money - gets taken away," said Taylor, a retired public school teacher. "Many people put up money to get casinos in Detroit, and now outside interests want to chisel in and spread it around."
Taylor said Detroit cannot afford to lose any money, despite the fact things have improved in the city.
"We are not where we need to be yet," she said. "But to take away what we have is not fair."
But Rep. Jack Minore, D-Flint, one of the bill's sponsors, said citizens shouldn't be expected to absorb all the information legislators spend hours working on, and he doesn't think the issue is fit to be on the ballot.
"We are elected to make the decisions," he said. "This bill is very complex, and when you put things on the ballot, it often reduces them to sound-bite information, and it isn't that simple."
Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, spoke at the rally and encouraged the public to demand a say in the decision.
"Whatever our motivation for coming is, I am glad this coalition can stand in opposition to this package," he said. "The people of Michigan, once and for all, should be able to decide."
Some members of American Indian tribes from across the state also rallied against the racino legislation, saying the addition of gaming to horse racetracks could hurt revenue at tribal-owned casinos.
Mount Pleasant resident Dee Dee Gasco attended the protest on behalf of the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. The casino gave employees the day off and sent three busloads of workers and tribe members to the Capitol. Soaring Eagle is owned by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
Gasco, a member of the Ottawa tribe that owns Victories Casino in Petoskey, said she wasn't worried about her job being affected, but she knew the racinos would hurt casino business.
"We have all sorts of ethnic and age groups working at the casino," she said. "A casino is a good place to work, there is lots of room to move around. I have worked in four different departments."
Gasco said she worked until midnight Wednesday and got up at 5:30 a.m. to come to Lansing.
"I wanted to support the casino, and not everyone could come," she said. "This is very important to me."
Supporters of the racinos say funds from gaming could benefit the state agriculturally.
In a January State News story, MSU President M. Peter McPherson said the university would support the racino legislation. McPherson said his support is based on the provisions of the legislation that would earmark gaming revenue for agricultural research.
Rep. Larry Julian, R-Lennon, another sponsor of the bills, said the protests don't bother him.
"I certainly believe in people's right to protest," he said. "I support their ability to voice their opinion, even though I disagree."
Julian said protesters are misunderstanding the legislation, and the gaming additions to horse racetracks are needed for funding in the state that casinos do not provide.
"This is an agricultural enhancement bill," he said. "The casinos pay almost nothing to the state."
Alessa Thomas can be reached at thoma470@msu.edu.
