"The nation now has many states, counties, cities, reservations and casinos. For the most part, casinos are owned by Indians, which is what Native Americans used to be called.

Because the tribes have grown very rich, long since having traded arrow and bow for chip and die, they have status and prestige, in practice, beyond that of county supervisors, mayors and members of Congress.

Governors are in a different category. For they enjoy some face time with tribal leaders and even strive to work out "deals" that will be mutually beneficial to state and res. Both sides employ a long-lost art in American public life: civility.

The new California governor, Jerry Brown, is negotiating a new gambling arrangement with the Rincon tribe and it looks like a treaty, er, deal, will be made. That is important face time.

As a preliminary step, San Diego County and the Rincon Band in Valley Center ---- where the huge Valley Center Casino sprawls ---- have reached an agreement, approved Tuesday. The Rincon band has long wanted to expand its casino operations in Valley Center."

Get the Story:
John Van Doorn: Brown's new treaty with the Rincon (The North County Times 10/13)

Also Today:
Rincon-county agreement could mean millions for services (The San Diego Union-Tribune 10/13)

Related Stories:
Rincon Band strikes gaming revenue agreement with county (10/12)
Rincon Band aims to send casino revenue straight to county (10/11)
Rincon Band generates $253M economic impact from gaming (9/9)
Bo Mazzetti: Rincon Band negotiating new Class III gaming compact (8/19)