In 2005, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) rejected a Class III gaming compact with the Spokane Tribe. The revenue-sharing deal would have allowed a major expansion of gaming in the state, she said.

A new deal was negotiated without revenue-sharing and with limits on the tribe's operation. But, three years later, Republicans and Democrats are still talking about the move since tribes that opposed the revenue-sharing deal have contributed over $650,000 to Gregoire and the state Democratic party.

State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, a Democrat, said Gregoire made the right decision. "If Gregoire had executed the original Spokane gaming compact and its revenue-sharing provision, she would have greenlighted the largest expansion of gambling in Washington history, while tempting future elected officials to expand gambling to help balance the state budget in tough economic years," Kohl-Welles writes in The Seattle Times.

State Sen. Jim Honeyford, a Republican, said tribes have been able to expand their casino despite Gregoire's claims. "Gregoire's approval of the Spokane compact allowed other tribes to expand their casinos as well. Twenty-seven of the state's 29 tribes signed on to the Spokane compact's provision," he writes.

Republicans have called for an investigation of the deal but Democrats, who control the state Legislature, won't agree to one.

Get the Story:
Jeanne Kohl-Welles: Gregoire made the right call on Spokane pact (The Seattle Times 8/21)
Jim Honeyford: Pact paved way for other tribes to up the ante (The Seattle Times 8/21)