Posted on 09/21/2005 9:47:13 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Powerful gaming tribes' "control" of the Legislature is behind lawmakers' opposition to recent tribal-casino agreements negotiated by his administration, Gov. Schwarzenegger said Tuesday.
"What has happened is that every time we come to agreement on a compact, we have the big tribes lobby up here and they control the legislators," Schwarzenegger said.
The governor spoke during an afternoon of interviews with Capitol reporters for The Press-Enterprise and other newspapers.
He touted his "year of reform" agenda on the November special-election ballot.
Campaigning for office in 2003 with a promise to extract a "fair share" of tribal-casino revenue for the state, Schwarzenegger confronts a Legislature that seems increasingly skeptical of his efforts, particularly among fellow Republicans.
Tuesday, the governor accused wealthy tribes with casinos -- most of which are from the Inland area -- of trying to squelch competition.
"They lobby and they tell them not to vote for them. They don't want the little tribes to build a casino that's maybe 70 miles away from them," he said.
Representatives of Inland gaming tribes were not immediately available for comment.
Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City, helped marshal opposition to two of the governor's recent compacts.
Through a spokesman, she did not respond directly to the governor's remarks.
'Fulfilling My Commitment'
"I feel that in taking the time to adequately vet out the compacts the governor negotiated, I as a legislator am fulfilling my commitment to the voters of this state when they approved Prop. 5 and Prop. 1A," Garcia said, referring to ballot measures that legalized Las Vegas-style gaming on tribal lands.
An agreement announced in June would have allowed the Yurok Tribe -- the largest and among the poorest tribes in the state -- to open a casino on its reservation along the Oregon border.
Another deal would permit the Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation to install more slot machines in a new casino on its reservation in the southeastern corner of Imperial County.
Inland tribes led the opposition to the agreements. Critics -- including the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Banning and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians near Highland -- said the deals included unfair concessions to the state.
Inland tribal leaders view the agreements as an unacceptable template for negotiations to lift a 2,000-per-tribe cap on slot machines.
They say they don't fear competition.
On Sept. 9, the administration unveiled two more compacts. They would allow a Humboldt County tribe and another in San Diego County to build a two-casino complex in Barstow, with up to 4,500 slot machines.
Lawmakers and Inland tribes have slammed those deals because they would allow the tribes to build casinos far from their reservations.
Schwarzenegger said he expects to compromise with the Legislature on his compacts after lawmakers return in January.
In other matters Tuesday, Schwarzenegger talked up the initiatives he backs on the Nov. 8 special-election ballot. The governor has endorsed four of the eight measures.
Prop. 74 would increase from two to five years the amount of time before teachers earn tenure; Prop. 75 would make it harder for public-employee unions to use members' dues for political purposes; Prop. 76 would limit state spending to revenue and make it easier for governors to cut spending when revenue falls; and Prop. 77 would put a panel of retired judges in charge of drawing political districts.
Trouble in the Polls
Recent polls showed only Prop. 75 having the support of a majority of likely voters.
Moreover, Schwarzenegger's approval ratings have sunk below 40 percent, according to the surveys.
Schwarzenegger likened the coming campaign to training for a bodybuilding contest.
Months of union-funded commercials attacking him don't matter now, he said.
"For me, I only have to do one thing: I only have to win on the day of the competition," he said.
"That's what every athlete is praying for in the world: 'God, make me peak on the day of competition.' "
Circle the wagons.
Now ya know why the Gub never made any Westerns to speak of. ;-)
He is no Jeremiah Johnson, imo. :)
Welcome to FR, btw . :)
Oh, Heaven's to Betsy! People buying politicians based on race or interest? How woulda thunk it! (/sarcasm)
Calling Elliott Ness!!!!!
That explains the demise of the Aztecs. Cortez would not allow casinos
"I...am...Yurok!"
"Tribes" ought to be in quote marks too.
Funny. Perhaps the Yurok Tribe could fashion their casino after the starship "Enterprise" and hold "Trekie" conventions as well.................;^)
They will have to consult the Sosumi and Whatsituya tribes. I'm sure the Fugawes would like to give an opinionh as well..
They will have to consult the Sosumi and Whatsituya tribes. I'm sure the Fugawes would like to give an opinionh as well..
This Indian tribe casino gambling racket, their sovereign nation bllsht is getting way out of hand!! What the heck is a sovereign Indian nation doing interfering in California elections and bribing California politicians with their campaign donations? It's an outrage and the Indian casinos donate a lot more to Donks because Donk lawyers usually help get their casinos
"It...is...CASINO!!!!"
That must be Chief Runamucca..
Please, don't tell me you don't remember the Hakowie Indians from F-Troop? That's "Crazy Cat".
I've lost a few brain cells over the years..
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.