Editorial: Account for California Indian gaming funds

Monday, February 15, 2010  

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger regularly asks that Californians "trust" him. We're willing to do that if he's willing to shed a little sunshine on how much money the state is getting from Indian casinos.

Two years ago, the governor promised that if voters approved compacts authorizing significant expansion of four Indian-owned casinos in Southern California, the tribes would pay the state "hundreds of millions of dollars" annually.

He made the promise in California's official voter pamphlet, and declared that the state would reap "billions in the years ahead to help pay for public safety, education, and other services."

Tribes that benefited from the deals spent $82 million on their campaign. Voters approved the deals, as they have done repeatedly when Indian gambling goes before them.

Two years later, as the state is mired in a budget crisis, the public should be able to find out how many "hundreds of millions" have been delivered to the state treasury. The question is timely now that the Morongo Band of Mission Indians is seeking the right to operate Internet poker in exchange for payments to the state."

Get the Story:
EDITORIAL: Governor should shed some light on casino payment funds (The Fresno Bee 2/12)