Flip-Flop of the Week

Here is this week's flip-flop of the week:

Mike Hatch Flip-Flops On Casinos

1994: Hatch Proposed Authorizing New Casinos, Unless Existing Casinos Paid $500 Million A Year To State. "Hatch said he would propose authorizing competitive non-Indian casinos unless existing casinos paid $500 million a year to the state. 'Either pay the tax or you say [to Indian casino owners], two blocks off the reservation there'll be another casino,' he said. Their comments were made Wednesday after a radio debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters during which both said they would use the threat of an expansion of gambling to force the owners of casinos to make annual payments from tribal profits. … The payments that [Bouza] and Hatch are demanding would cover the cost of public services, such as increased traffic enforcement and public works. The payments also could be used for compulsive-gambling programs." (Robert Whereatt, "Hatch, Bouza Would Expand Gambling If Tribes Didn't Pay," Star Tribune, September 8, 1994) 1994: Hatch Said Casinos Should "Pay Their Fair Share.""Hatch also said he would like to see the state take a share of the profits of the numerous gaming casinos that have popped up around the state. 'Connecticut does exact a tax on these casinos,' said Hatch. 'We're talking about a multi-billion dollar industry, and there are no taxes paid on any of it. In some communities you see some real resentment that the casino is not picking up its fair share. It seems fair for the casino to pay a tax on profits made from gambling activities. That would be $450 million for a 15 percent tax like is done in Connecticut. … The answer is to sit down with these casinos and say you're going to have to pay your fair share or other gambling activities ought to be considered. I'm no a proponent for further gambling, but if youre going to have gambling you should have them pay their fair share." (Tom Coombe, "DFL Gubernatorial Candidate Hatch Stops In Ely On Northeast Campaign Swing," Ely Echo, August 1, 1994)

2005: Hatch Declares State Gambling Expansion Unconstitutional."Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal for a state-tribal metro casino likely would be found unconstitutional by a court and should go to voters first, according to an opinion released Wednesday by Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch. … Hatch's opinion addresses three elements of the casino proposal: whether the state can operate a lottery in conjunction with the Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth bands; whether it can offer new games such as keno, craps and roulette; and whether it can split the profits among the tribes and the state's general fund. Each of those elements probably would be found unconstitutional, the opinion states." (Patricia Lopez, "Hatch, Pawlenty At Odds On Casino; The Attorney General's Office Said The State-Tribal Plan Probably Wouldn't Pass Constitutional Muster," Star Tribune, March 31, 2005)