Gaming tribes in California spent nearly $130 million on ballot initiatives, politicians and political action committees last year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics and the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Three tribes ranked among the top 10 donors in the state. They were the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians ($44 million); the Morongo Band of Mission Indians ($39.1 million) and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians ($22.1 million). Additionally, a group called "Tribes for Fair Play, No on 94, 95, 96 & 97" which opposed four gaming compacts, landed in the top 10. The group was funded by the United Auburn Indian Community and the Pala Band of Mission Indians. "For 150 years, the (tribes) sat on the sidelines of the debate about their fate," Patrick Dorinson, a Republican strategist and consultant to the Morongo Band, told The San Francisco Chronicle. "Now they have the ability to stand up and defend their rights and their sovereignty. And they're not asking for anything more than other business people want - to be heard." Get the Story:
California gaming tribes top campaign donors (The San Francisco Chronicle 11/24)