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Feinstein opposes North Fork Rancheria off-reservation casino


Filed Under: California | Casino Stalker | Compacts
More on: auburn, california, dianne feinstein, elections, igra, north fork, off-reservation
   

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California). Photo from Facebook

Unsurprisingly, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) opposes an off-reservation casino for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians.

Feinstein has repeatedly railed against off-reservation gaming in California while spreading inaccurate information about the state's tribal casino industry. She's now urging a "no" vote on Proposition 48, which would block the North Fork Rancheria's Class III gaming compact.

"Proposition 48 will open the floodgates to countless more mega casinos in local communities across the state," Feinstein said in a statement to The Los Angeles Times.


Artist's rendering of the proposed North Fork Rancheria casino. Image from North Fork Casino Environmental Impact Statement

In the history of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, no tribe in California has opened an off-reservation casino under the two-part determination provisions of the law. The North Fork Rancheria, whose gaming site is already in trust, would be the first.

On the other hand, several tribes in California have opened casinos by utilizing exceptions in the law that didn't require them to secure state approval. Included is the United Auburn Indian Community, whose Thunder Valley Casino Resort is located on land outside of the tribe's original reservation boundaries and whose leaders are fighting the North Fork project.

A "yes" vote on Proposition 48 ratifies the North Fork Rancheria's Class III gaming compact. It also ratifies a compact for the Wiyot Tribe, whose leaders agreed to forgo a casino in exchange for a cut of revenues from the North Fork casino.

A "no" vote, on the other hand, blocks the compact. A description of Proposition 48, from the California Secretary of State, follows:
Proposition 48 - Referendum to Overturn Indian Gaming Compacts
If signed by the required number of registered voters and timely filed with the Secretary of State, this petition will place on the statewide ballot a challenge to a state law previously approved by the Legislature and the Governor. The law must then be approved by a majority of voters at the next statewide election to go into effect. The law ratifies two gaming compacts (with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, and the Wiyot Tribe); and it exempts execution of the compacts, certain projects, and intergovernmental agreements from the California Environmental Quality Act. (13-0007)

Get the Story:
Proposed Central California tribal casino at heart of Prop. 48 battle (The Los Angeles Times 10/24)

Some Opinions:
Endorsement video: Vote yes on Prop. 48 and let the North Fork tribe build a casino (The Los Angeles Times 10/24)
Editorial: Vote no on Proposition 48 to curtail more California casinos (The Los Angeles Daily News 10/24)

California Court of Appeal Decision:
Picayune Rancheria v. Brown (September 24, 2014)

Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press Release | Fact Sheet: North Fork Rancheria Decision | Section 20 Determination: North Fork Rancheria

Related Stories:
Column: Election won't end North Fork off-reservation casino (10/23)
North Fork Rancheria blames rival tribes for holding up compact (10/22)

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