Feinstein, Schwarzenegger agree on gaming bill

Tuesday, April 6, 2004  

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is finding herself in agreement with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) over proposed amendments to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Feinstein wrote a letter to the leaders of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee opposing changes that would make it harder to justify revenue-sharing in tribal-state gaming compacts. She also contends the changes would lead to more electronic Class II machines that aren't regulated by the state.

Feinstein's criticisms echo ones Schwarzenegger raised in a letter to Sens. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). Feinstein and Schwarzenegger say the state's position in negotiating compacts would be weakened by the amendments.

On Wednesday, the committee will mark up S.1529, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments of 2003. A Bureau of Indian Affairs official and Indian gaming industry leaders testified in favor of language that would provide guidance on revenue-sharing compacts.

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Feinstein opposed to bill to loosen oversight of tribal gaming (The Ukiah Daily Journal 4/5)