"Proponents of the ill-advised Highway 99 Indian casino in Madera County may have overplayed their hand when they cut an early deal with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on a revenue-sharing agreement with the state.

The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians doesn't even have federal approval for the casino land -- a necessary step -- yet the tribe and Schwarzenegger have already negotiated a gambling compact.

On Monday, the state Senate passed a bill that would block the governor from cutting compact deals prior to tribes getting federal approval for the land intended for casinos.

The bill by Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, passed on a 31-4 vote. That vote is a clear indication of the Senate's feeling about "reservation shopping" for casinos.

The arrogance displayed by the North Fork tribe and its Nevada gambling partner, Station Casinos, in this deal has created enemies, even among many sympathetic to the tribe's plight and to the economic needs of Madera County. Moving ahead on this deal without federal approval has created a backlash against the Highway 99 casino."

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Editorial: Premature casino compact may backfire on tribe (The Fresno Bee 5/15)
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