"The Star supports the Indian gambling compact amendments the state Legislature and governor approved last year for four tribes and, thus, supports yes votes on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 on the Feb. 5 ballot.

The compact amendments were negotiated with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in August 2006, vetted by the state Legislature after multiple hearings and approved by the federal government last year. They were ready to take effect Jan. 1.

The amendments were stalled by two other Indian tribes, race-track operators and a hotel workers' union, which collected enough signatures to put the four propositions on the ballot to try to block them. The United Auburn Indian Community of Auburn Rancheria of Rocklin (Placer County) and the Pala Band of Mission Indians of Pala (San Diego County) and race-track owners at Hollywood Park and Bay Meadows in San Mateo are bankrolling the referenda to reduce competition for their own gambling operations. They are not motivated, as their ads imply, by concern about expanding gambling."

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Editorial: Yes on Props. 94, 95, 96, 97 (The Ventura County Star 1/20)