Chairman of Graton Rancheria publicly discusses casino plan

Wednesday, May 2, 2012  

The leader of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in California finally broke his silence about his tribe's plans for a casino.

Chairman Greg Sarris hasn't discussed the casino since the tribe signed a Class III gaming compact in late March and he hasn't made a public appearance in connection with the casino in at least three years, The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported. He appeared at an informational hearing yesterday.

"We created something that will indeed benefit Indian and non-Indian alike,” Sarris told the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, the paper reported.

Station Casinos, the tribe's partner, said it would seek more than $700 million in bonds and other financing for the project, much higher than the casino's previously reported cost of $433 million. The tribe also doesn't plan to build a hotel in the first phase of development either.

The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee will discuss the compact at a hearing today at 1:30pm. Audio is available on the committee's site.

Get the Story:
Sarris touts Rohnert Park casino in Sacramento (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 5/2)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Fast-tracking casino compact leaves bad taste (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 5/1)

Related Stories:
Graton Rancheria gaming opponents lobby state lawmakers (5/1)