CA: Taxpayer groups take sides on Indian gambling expansion measure

Sac Bee ^ | 9/9/04 | Steve Wiegand

[NormsRevenge]

A November ballot measure that would greatly expand Indian casino gambling received a boost Thursday from two taxpayer advocacy groups -- and opponents promptly countered with a taxpayer group of their own.

At a Sacramento hotel news conference, leaders of the taxpayer groups said they were backing Proposition 70 because it would provide revenues for the cash-strapped state without digging to deeply into the tribes' pockets.

"We think it's a good deal, a fair deal, all around," said Lewis Uhler, president of the National Tax-Limitation Committee.

"The core principle of Proposition 70 is that gaming tribes will contribute to the state at the same rate as any other California business," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

The measure, backed by the Palm Springs-based Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, would amend the state Constitution to allow tribes to operate as many slot machines and other casino games as they wanted on tribal lands for the next 99 years. In return, the tribes would share revenues with the state equivalent to the corporate income tax rate, currently about 9 percent.

Prop. 70 proponents say the initiative would produce nearly $2 billion for the state in its first five years.