Posted on 10/24/2004 1:35:44 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Few pieces of land in California have generated as much controversy lately as 9 acres in San Pablo near Interstate 80.
The land beneath Casino San Pablo, a cardroom voters approved in 1994, was placed in trust for the landless Lytton Band of Pomo Indians under a little-noticed amendment that Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, added to a 2000 omnibus Indian bill.
But nobody could miss the furor when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a compact in August allowing the Lyttons to build a 5,000-slot casino at Casino San Pablo -- much larger than any Nevada casino and the third-largest in the country -- in exchange for 25 percent of the revenue, about $125 million annually.
Overwhelming opposition prompted Schwarzenegger and the 255-member Lytton Band to halve the number of slots.
The governor has blamed Miller for forcing him into the compact, which still requires legislative approval. But in a recent interview with The Chronicle, Miller said he never envisioned so large a casino. He accused Schwarzenegger, the Lyttons and unions that participated in the negotiations of greed.
"He wants to pretend like 'my hands are tied behind my back, and I must do this,' " Miller said. "He doesn't have to agree to 5,000 (slots) or 2,000 or 750 or anything else. The governor wants the most revenue, the unions want the most jobs, and the Indians want the most (slot) machines. Greed was a common component for everyone sitting at that table.''
(snip)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-San Francisco, has proposed legislation repealing Miller's amendment, but Miller said he opposes it because the Lyttons and San Pablo should be allowed to pursue gaming. The governor also opposed the bill saying it would "destroy trust" with the Lyttons and other tribes.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Ya think 880 is bad now - I can't wait for this ...
Good Article at Desert Sun on Prop 68 and Prop 70
(can't post due to copyright restrictions)
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/election/20041024033348.shtml
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