Free Republic

Gov. Schwarzenegger has angered Legislative Democrats, Republicans and the Department of the Interior by negotiating gaming compacts with Indian tribes to run casinos off reservation land. But with rumors in the Capitol that another major compact deal is imminent, Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, chairman of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, is trying to stop the new compact before it is introduced. The new gaming deal with the North Fork tribe in Madera County has some powerful proponents-including Las Vegas gaming interests. Among them is Station Casinos, a Nevada gaming company that has a deal to manage the North Fork tribe's...

The state Senate GOP leader's withdrawal makes Irvine's Campbell the front-runner for Cox's congressional seat when he takes over the SEC. State Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman announced today that he is dropping out of the race to replace Rep. Christopher Cox, who is expected to resign his seat to become head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ackerman, an Irvine resident, became the early front-runner when Cox's nomination to the SEC top post was announced by President George W. Bush on June 2. But that began to change Friday, when state Sen. John Campbell entered the race and immediately...

LEGISLATURE: The La Quinta lawmaker emerges as a candidate to succeed Dick Ackerman. SACRAMENTO - State Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, emerged as a leading candidate Wednesday to succeed Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, as senate GOP leader if Ackerman runs for an Orange County congressional seat. Battin, who represents most of Riverside County, reportedly has lined up votes from a majority of the 15 Republicans in the upper house. Two other GOP senators also are interested in the post -- John Campbell of Irvine and Dave Cox of Fair Oaks. "Battin will win it, I'm told," said Assemblyman Ray Haynes,...