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A Day at the Races: California
Monday, November 1, 2004
Agua Caliente Chairman Richard Milanovich. Photo © Indianz.Com
A DAY AT THE RACES
South Dakota
Heated Senate race targets Native voters.
California
Governor makes issue of tribal gaming. Again.
Oklahoma
Cherokee tribal member eyes open Senate seat.
Alaska
Two strong candidates bank on Native vote.
Washington
Washington tribes battle gaming measure.
Nebraska
Nebraska tribes could finally get Class III gaming.
Montana
Cyanide mining initiative irks tribes.
Colorado
Retiring Ben Nighthorse Campbell prompts battle.
|
This year's fight is again between
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)
and tribes. Schwarzenegger campaigned on tribal gaming in the 2003
recall race and is making an issue out of
Proposition 70, a
ballot initiative sponsored by the
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
The
California Nations Indian Gaming Association, which represents
nearly half of the state's tribes, has endorsed the measure.
A handful of small, gaming tribes has poured more than $100
million into the campaign, making it the most expensive in state history.
The initiative counters compacts Schwarzenegger signed with seven tribes.
Both proposals allow tribes to operate more than 2,000 slot machines
but differ on revenue-sharing and reach of state regulation.
Prop. 70 imposes a flat 8.84 percentage
rate on net casino revenues while the compacts require tribes to finance
a $1 billion bond to help the state in addition to a percentage of
slot machine revenues.
Polls show support for the initiative floundering. Only 22 percent
say they will vote for it. according to
latest Field Poll.
Even fewer, 17 percent, are backing
Proposition 68, a non-Indian gaming
initiative Schwarzenegger is also opposing.
Additionally, Schwarzenegger took the unusual step of campaigning
against a local ballot measure benefiting the Agua Caliente Band.
The tribe is seeking ratification of a development plan for land
in downtown Palm Springs. Approval or denial or Measure U
(
pro-campaign
site)
will not affect the plan since the land is part of the reservation,
but the tribe wants to show cooperation with the city.
Relevant Links:
Yes on Measure U -
http://www.yesonu.orgAgua
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians -
http://www.aguacaliente.org
Related Stories:
Agua Caliente Band 'stunned' by Schwarzenegger
(10/29)
Schwarzenegger strategist derides
celebrity ads (10/29)
Editorial: Vote no on tribe's gaming
initiative (10/28)
NIGA asks Schwarzenegger to apologize
for remarks (10/28)
Tribe's New Ad: 'I guess it's OK to rip
off Indians' (10/28)
Debate over tribe's gaming initiative
continues (10/27)
Schwarzenegger takes on Agua Caliente
development (10/27)
Agua Caliente Band runs final gaming
campaign ad (10/26)
Union fighting Agua
Caliente Band's zoning plan (10/20)
Agua
Caliente Band seeks support for development (09/09)
Court ruling adds to debate over tribal-labor
relations (06/14)
Board rules tribes
subject to labor law (6/4)
California tribes endorse gaming initiative
(07/19)
Schwarzenegger
argues against rival proposals (07/08)
Federal judge won't block new California
compacts (07/08)
Agua Caliente
initiative contains 'poison pill' (07/07)
California compacts being sent to BIA for
review (07/02)
California tribes
offer alternative gaming pact (07/01)
Schwarzenegger turns friendly face towards
tribes (06/28)
Schwarzenegger
signs gaming deals with five tribes (06/22)
Agua Caliente Tribe won't back down from
campaign (06/17)
Poll finds strong
support for California tribal gaming (04/26)
Senate panel debates changes to Indian gaming
act (03/25)
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