NPR: Tribal gaming revenues bailing out local governments

Wednesday, June 1, 2011  

"RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

Many cities and counties around the country are still struggling with budget shortfalls. But in Washington State, some local officials are being thrown a lifeline from Native American tribes. Tribes don't pay taxes, but those with casinos have to give some of their earnings to local governments.

As NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports, some tribes are giving above and beyond what they have to.

HANSI LO WANG: Prosecutor Mark Roe is sitting in his office in Everett, Washington, and he's holding a photocopy of a check.

Mr. MARK ROE (Attorney): I feel like it should be really huge, like Ed McMahon used to have people hold up, because I don't know about you, but I've never held a check that big.

WANG: How big? $86,864 - just enough to keep a lawyer for one year in the Stillaguamish County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. "

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Casino Revenue Helps Tribes Aid Local Governments (NPR 6/1)