Opinion: End tribal gaming monopoly in Arizona

Monday, July 27, 2009  

"We've completed a 2009 legislative session which, though dominated by work on a balanced state budget, failed to produce one. Or, if you prefer, failed to produce one that Gov. Jan Brewer would sign. This is in part the fault of the Legislature, in part the fault of the governor.

Of course, many in those provinces will tell you it's the fault of the secretary of Homeland Security. We may hope that Janet Napolitano, our former governor, keeps the nation safe for now, but she did not leave Arizona fiscally sound.

Regardless, the matter is no longer about assigning blame but charting a way out. Against this grim fiscal backdrop the subject of Arizona's gaming policy has come due for review. Briefly expressed, that policy holds that some number of Arizona's Native American tribes shall indefinitely reap billions of dollars from gambling receipts and everyone else shall reap precious little.

For a time and up to a point, that policy has been worthy of some support. In fact, I was there, working for then-Gov. Fife Symington, when it was born. The idea that through their casino operations Arizona's tribes might gain some overdue relief from persistent poverty was universally appealing.

It's worked out that way too. Across 15 years, tribes have enjoyed their exclusive franchise, collecting billions in gaming profits. Today, they are aggressively building destination resorts around their casinos. One tribe has boldly asserted its right to build such a place not on reservation land but right in the heart of Glendale. They will likely succeed.

So here comes the point: Unless all the pigeons fly home, casino gambling is here to stay. Already embedded in the community, it's going to become more so. The only remaining public-policy question is whether we are going to regulate and tax it for the benefit of all Arizonans."

Get the Story:
Jay Heiler: Arizona could reap millions with revision in gaming policy (The Arizona Republic 7/25)

Also Today:
Racetracks offer plan to cut budget deficit (The Arizona Republic 7/27)