Schwarzenegger's budget relies on gaming

Thursday, January 11, 2007  

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is depending on $506 million in tribal gaming revenues to fund part of his new budget.

But the money might not come through because it depends on payments from four tribes whose compacts have been held up by state lawmakers. Without the deals, the tribes won't be able to expand their facilities and share more of their gaming revenues.

The tie-in puts some pressure on the Democratic lawmakers who blocked the compacts over concerns about labor unions. Hearings are being planned on each of the tribes -- the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

"Our agreement will provide substantial revenues for California taxpayers while preserving protections for workers, including the right to unionize," said Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro.

A fifth tribe -- the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians -- has already had its compact approved and would share some of its revenues for Schwarzenegger's budget.

Get the Story:
Proposed budget relies on untested sources (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 1/11)
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Schwarzenegger says his plan would balance the state budget (The North County Times 1/11)