The future of the Menominee Indian Tribe — which has been beset by high rates of mortality, unemployment, poverty, binge drinking, teenage births and obesity — rests at the site of a shuttered dog track nearly 200 miles from its reservation in Keshena, Wis.

That's where the tribe wants to build an $800 million casino complex that officials say would greatly improve the quality of life for families living at the cash-poor reservation. But while the plan for a sparkling new casino was approved by the federal government one year ago, the project remains mired in uncertainty. Gov. Scott Walker, who has the final say on whether the project will proceed, could wait until after his November re-election bid to issue a decision — which has frustrated Menominee tribalapprove or deny the tribe's casino application, initially had a year to make a decision. But in April, he announced the deadline was extended until Feb. 19, which allowed him to campaign without the expansion of Indian gambling being an issue.

Walker has not given any indication which way he is leaning or when he will decide.

Walker's opponent, Democrat Mary Burke, did not say whether she would approve the proposal if she is elected governor.

With the election now less than three months away, a decision from Walker probably would not influence the outcome, said Charles Franklin, professor of law and public policy and director of polling at Marquette Law School.

"I don't know that there is an absolute clear winning decision for the governor either way," Franklin said. "It's obviously