"These days, one of the greatest threats to the public’s safety is our state’s budget crisis. It can jeopardize funding for all manner of police, fire and emergency protection services in communities throughout the state.

Faced with a $14.5 billion deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced he may have no choice but to release tens of thousands of prisoners early. He is declaring a “fiscal emergency” and is proposing major cuts in state services to try to close the budget gap.

With this daunting fiscal crisis as a backdrop, voters are being asked to approve four ballot measures — Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 — that will provide real help for our state’s budget woes. The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association is urging Californians to vote yes on all four.

Voting yes on these important measures will ratify four Indian gaming agreements that will provide hundreds of millions of dollars in vitally needed new state revenues each year.

During the next two decades, these agreements will give California more than $9 billion to help balance the state budget and pay for public safety, education and other services statewide — without increasing taxes.

Peace officers throughout California are supporting these measures because the revenue from these Indian gaming agreements will help us do our jobs."

Get the Story:
Alan Wayne Barcelona: Compacts Will Protect California’s Budget (The Tracy Press 1/9)

Other Stories:
Betting against the house (Sacramento News & Review 1/10)
Hollywood Park figure is betting on ballot measures (The Los Angeles Times 1/10)
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