Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos v. State

Defendant, state of Michigan, appeals as of right from the trial court’s determination that legislative approval, by resolution, of compacts allowing operation of casinos by Indian tribes violated provisions of the Michigan Constitution. We affirm in part and reverse in part.

In 1997 and 1998, Governor John Engler negotiated compacts with four Indian tribes 2 to permit class in gaming by the tribes on eligible Indian lands in Michigan. The terms of the compacts contained various regulatory provisions. The tribes agreed to hiring criteria for their employees and management and agreed to provide…