"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a "fiscal emergency" because the state faces a $14.5 billion deficit. He has said we may have no choice but to release 22,000 nonviolent offenders from prison early, and he has proposed deep spending cuts in virtually every part of state government. Both the Bay Area and the state need more revenue to continue to provide the public safety, transportation and other services on which we all rely.

On Feb. 5, Californians can help ensure funding for these essential public services by voting yes on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.

Voting yes on these important measures will ratify four Southern California Indian gaming agreements that will provide hundreds of millions of dollars each year in vitally needed new revenues for the state and local communities.

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

Our organization, which represents peace officers throughout Alameda County, is supporting these measures because the revenue generated by these Indian gaming agreements will help us do our job. "

Get the Story:
Martin Neideffer: Indian gaming agreements will help California's budget (The San Francisco Chronicle 1/16)