Schwarzenegger Far Off the Mark on Tribal Governments (Tribal Press Release)

California Nations Indian Gaming Association ^ | September 23, 2003

[calcowgirl]

Press Release
Source: California Nations Indian Gaming Association

Schwarzenegger Far Off the Mark on Tribal Governments
Tuesday September 23, 12:56 pm ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribal casinos are government enterprises, similar to state lotteries, municipal and county airports and hospitals and other revenue generating government activities, and as such are not required by law to pay taxes.

Yet virtually all revenues from tribal government casinos are used to provide government services for tribal members.

Film actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican candidate in the Oct. 7 recall election in California, ignores these basic facts in a television advertisement that began running statewide on Monday afternoon.

"Mr. Schwarzenegger's misstatements come as no surprise to those who have been following his campaign," Brenda Soulliere, chairwoman for the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, said Tuesday.

"But his erroneous remarks, which exhibit a complete and almost frightening lack of understanding of the legal status of Indians and tribal governments, are hurtful to California's more than 300,000 Native Americans."

Schwarzenegger says in his television advertisement, "Their casinos make billions, yet pay no taxes and virtually nothing to the state."

As government operations, tribal gaming revenues are not taxed by other governments. However, revenues from tribal government casinos are essentially taxed at a rate of 100 percent, with all revenues providing for the welfare of tribal members.

In addition, some 41,200 employees working at tribal gaming facilities pay more than $280 million a year in federal income and payroll taxes. Ninety percent of tribal government workers in California are non-Indians.

Only enrolled tribal members living and working on their own reservations are exempt from paying state payroll taxes. Indians living off the reservation pay the same property, sales and other taxes that all Californians do.

"California state government does not pay taxes. Its citizens do," said CNIGA Executive Director Jacob Coin. "Indian governments also do not pay taxes. Indians do."

Schwarzenegger also says in his advertisement, "Other states require revenue from Indian gaming, but not us. It's time for them (to) pay their fair share."

That statement is false. As a result of tribal-state compacts approved by the California Legislature, tribes pay more than $100 million a year into a fund established to pay for the impact of gaming on local communities.

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[Evil Inc]

It is a slush fund for politicians. The big pay off. Indians should either pay taxes or they should be barred from interfering in elections. Should Saddam Hussein be allowed to donate millions to his friends in the democrat party? Hed still be torturing those people and we would be sending him aid if the politicos could have tapped that money. Are they citizens or an independant govt? Politicians are evil money stealing poseurs.

[Evil Inc]

It is a slush fund for politicians. The big pay off. Indians should either pay taxes or they should be barred from interfering in elections. Should Saddam Hussein be allowed to donate millions to his friends in the democrat party? Hed still be torturing those people and we would be sending him aid if the politicos could have tapped that money. Are they citizens or an independant govt? Politicians are evil money stealing poseurs.

[Evil Inc]

It is a slush fund for politicians. The big pay off. Indians should either pay taxes or they should be barred from interfering in elections. Should Saddam Hussein be allowed to donate millions to his friends in the democrat party? Hed still be torturing those people and we would be sending him aid if the politicos could have tapped that money. Are they citizens or an independant govt? Politicians are evil money stealing poseurs.

[BushCountry]

There is something inherently wrong about Indian Gambling Casinos and Cig selling. Even the fact that they are sequestered on small parcels (their own little nations) of land smack dab in the middle of America seems silly. I don't see the any signs of their lot in life improving for the average Indian. In fact, the opposite is true, they are by far worst off on their piddling reservations.

They should accept that fact that they have been conquered, they lost already, and preserve their hertiage through their families and associations, and reap the awards of being an American, not an Indian on a worthless plot pushing vices for the Mafia.

It is a stupid notion to form hundreds of indepent countries in the middle of a country because a conquered foe requests it.

[Russell Scott]

In Conan O'Brian's best nerd voice: "We are Arndroids. He saves the human race in movies. He will save California. T-2 never makes a bad decision. Never takes the wrong side of an issue. Pure logic and reason control his every move. Get away mere mortals. Wonder at the Arnold. His rippling muscles excite us. We can't stand it. He must rule. Move over, the great Android is upon us!!!

[BushCountry]

An Arnold fixation I see.

[doc30]

Even the fact that they are sequestered on small parcels (their own little nations) of land smack dab in the middle of America seems silly.

Well, maybe, if they are their own, tiny little island nations in the U.S., perhaps customs agents need to be stationed at the entrances and make people who buy cigarettes pay duty to have them imported into the U.S.

[Agnes Heep]

They should accept that fact that they have been conquered, they lost already, and preserve their hertiage through their families and associations, and reap the awards of being an American, not an Indian on a worthless plot pushing vices for the Mafia.

Indeed. Let them be U.S. citizens, or let them be Indians; one or the other; not both.

[DoughtyOne]

This press release by the tribes is a crock. Indian tribes in other stated do pay some of their profits into the state coffers. Those funds go to pay for a variety of state service like schools, healthcare or simply free up funds for other endeavors.

Their funds do not totally remain within the indian reservation and or inconvenienced local communities. And even though employees at those reservations do pay taxes, the tribes still pay funds to those states directly.

The tribes in our state play fast and loose with the facts when they make press releases.

Over the last five years California tribes have pumped $120 million dollars into state politics. If they are going to enter and play the statewide game, then they should also be able to provide some funding for statewide services just like any other business.

[Mike Darancette]

As government operations, tribal gaming revenues are not taxed by other governments. However, revenues from tribal government casinos are essentially taxed at a rate of 100 percent, with all revenues providing for the welfare of tribal members.

I guess that huge donations to polititions is considered to be for the welfare of tribal members. If they have enough money to play politics they have enough money to pay State taxes.

[DoctorZIn]

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