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California | Compacts | Opinion
Opinions: How to vote on California gaming pacts


February 5 is fast approaching for voters in California. If you're unsure about ballot propositions for four gaming tribes, here's some advice on both sides of the debate.

The Banning/Beaumont Record Gazette urges a yes vote on Propositions 94-97. "All these propositions would add large amounts of state revenue," the paper says.

Bobby Lopez, the president of the San Jose Police Officers' Association, says law enforcement officers support the compacts. "Over the next two decades, these agreements will give California a total of more than $9 billion to help balance the state budget and pay for public safety, education and other services statewide - without increasing our taxes," he says.

State Sen. Jim Battin, a Republican, says the compacts encourage competition. "In renegotiating existing gaming agreements, the four Indian tribes were asked to significantly expand the amount of revenue given to the state. In just this next fiscal year, the state should receive close to $400 million from the compacts," he says.

The Woodland Daily Democrat opposes the agreements. "This is not just a question of raising some revenue for the state and helping Indian tribes economically. The measures are really asking Californians whether they want to have the largest concentration of Indian casinos in the nation and whether they want massive Nevada-style gambling in California," the paper says.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tips on how to vote on Propositions 91 - 97 (The Banning/Beaumont Record Gazette 1/25)
Bobby Lopez: Vote yes on Propositions 94-97 to help fund essential services (The San Jose Mercury News 1/25)
Jim Battin: Support tribal gaming compacts (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 1/26)
Editorial: Voters should reject Indian slot compacts (The Woodland Daily Democrat 1/27)