Schwarzenegger won't help county fight tribe

Monday, March 3, 2008  

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) won't help a county fight the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians.

Schwarzenegger's legal department said it would be "inappropriate" to join Amador County's lawsuit against the Interior Department. A February 28 letter said Schwarzenegger "stands by" the gaming compact he signed with the tribe [PDF].

The county's lawsuit claims the tribe was not properly recognized. It also claims the rancheria can't be used for a casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The tribe has proposed an agreement with the county to pay $18 million up front, plus about $8 million a year, for the casino. In exchange, the county would have to drop its lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Governor won't help Amador on casino suit (The Stockton Record 3/1)
What now? - County almost out of maneuvers (The Amador Ledger-Dispatch 2/29)