"Kudos to local lawmakers who aimed to get the renegotiated compact with the Agua Caliente tribe on the legislative fast track.

On Wednesday, Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia replaced the text of one of her bills with the compact. State Sen. Jim Battin then obtained a rules waiver in his chamber so the compact could be discussed.

A Senate committee examining the bill now ought to send the compact to the chamber floor with the Assembly taking parallel steps. Then lawmakers should ratify the gaming deal that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians last week. The compact benefits the valley and California, marks an improvement in state-tribal relations and is widely supported by affected parties.

That deal allows the tribe to add 3,000 slot machines and to open a third casino. In exchange, the tribe would immediately send the state $22 million, the first of annual payments for the next quarter century."

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Proposed gaming compact marks good bet for lawmakers (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 8/17)