Schwarzenegger still won't talk about non-urban casino

Friday, May 20, 2005  

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) won't negotiate a gaming compact with the Enterprise Rancheria even though the tribe's proposed casino is not in an "urbanized" area and has local support.

In a letter [PDF] Schwarzenegger's legal secretary Peter Siggins agreed the casino location is not urban and appears to have "strong local support." But he told Yuba County Supervisor Mary Jane Griego, who supports the project, that there isn't "sufficient, independent public policy" to start compact negotiations.

The letter was dated May 10, nine days before Schwarzenegger released a proclamation [Text] stating that he would not approve casinos in "urbanized" areas that did not have local support, including a local advisory vote, and did not serve "a clear, independent public policy, separate and apart from any increased economic benefit or financial contribution to the State, community, or the Indian tribe that may arise from gaming."

However, in the same proclamation, he said he would continue support a casino in an urbanized area for the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians.

Get the Story:
Griego: Yuba casino is in jeopardy (The Marysville-Yuba City Appeal-Democrat 5/20)
Governor's policy allows for Barstow casino (The Desert Dispatch 5/20)
SAN PABLO CASINO NOT AFFECTED BY GOVERNOR'S GAMING PROCLAMATION (CBS 5 News 5/19)