Posted on 01/15/2004 12:39:22 AM PST by calcowgirl
Indian Tribes Wary of Calif. Casino Deals
American Indian Tribes Wary of Giving More Casino Profits to California
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. Jan. 15 — American Indian tribal leaders said they are skeptical about sharing more gaming profits with the state and criticized a ballot initiative that would permit slot machines at race tracks and card clubs. The chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association said Wednesday that tribes are willing to negotiate with the state but noted more than 60 of them already have a 20-year compact that allows them to operate casinos and mandates revenue payments.
"Our relation with nontribal governments should be conducted in the spirit of honesty, openness, and when appropriate, friendship," Anthony Miranda told about 700 people at the Western Indian Gaming Conference. "We should always conduct ourselves as good neighbors and citizens, willing to listen and to talk but always willing to defend our fundamental beliefs, principles, economic interest and overall cultural identity."
Miranda said the $4 billion generated from American Indian casinos is "one bright spot in a dismal economy," referring to California's budget woes. He said tribal casinos have employed more than 40,000 Californians in recent years who generate about $400 million in federal, state and local taxes.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he wants to collect more gaming revenues from tribes. Schwarzenegger has appointed attorney Daniel Kolkey to re-examine the current compacts and negotiate with tribes, the largest of which are expected to meet with him in the coming weeks.
Though he declined to share details of his strategy, Kolkey said the state doesn't plan to reduce the maximum number of slot machines tribal casinos are allowed to operate, set at 2,000.
Under the approved compacts with 61 tribes, casinos with up to 500 slot machines as of September 1999 are required to pay 7 percent of the average net win to the state. The rate is bumped up to 10 percent for 501 to 1000 machines, and 13 percent for more than 1,000.
Tribal officials also attacked a ballot initiative that would allow race tracks and card clubs to operate slot machines. Under current California law, slot machines are permitted only on American Indian lands.
Michael Lombardi, spokesman for the Augustine Band of Mission Indians in Riverside County, said the Schwarzenegger administration and California citizens have a misconception that tribes are rich. Only about 10 among the state's 107 tribes are wealthy, he said.
For example, the Augustine Casino is still paying off construction costs and won't turn a profit for another six years, Lombardi said.
Miranda said the greatest danger is division among tribes and they have to unite to face challenges from state and local governments.
"The state of our tribal nations is strong," he said. "Our future is in our hands, ours to determine. We must be ever mindful that the actions we take today shape the sovereignty of future generations."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.