Editorial: Oppose Graton Rancheria casino

Thursday, July 24, 2008  

"The latest, best hope to stop a gargantuan Las Vegas-style casino from being built in Rohnert Park may come from Assemblyman Jared Huffman.

With the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unwilling to place an advisory measure on the ballot regarding the casino, Huffman this week introduced legislation that would not allow a gaming compact to become effective unless local voters approved it or “intergovernmental agreements” had been approved to mitigate impacts of gaming activity, such as traffic, crime, air pollution and groundwater degradation.

The governor is authorized to negotiate compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature, for Indian gaming. “It is important that the Legislature not approve compacts for gaming if the residents, businesses and governments in the area do not support having a massive Las Vegas-style casino in their community,” Huffman said.

We agree wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors does not seem to be interested in putting an advisory measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. Such a measure would have to be approved by the board by Aug. 8."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Time is running out to stop R.P. casino (The Petaluma Argus-Courier 7/24)

Another View:
Editorial: Casino deal (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 7/24)