Through the success of the Chumash’s Casino and subsequently acquired business enterprises, each registered member of the tribe receives a $50,000 monthly cash distribution. Additional distributions to each member bring the total distribution to each member up to $1 million per year. It is my understanding that most, if not all, tribes that have casinos enjoy similar financial self-sufficiency. As federal funds available for grants shrink, it is time to amend the federal laws that exempt all tribes from making a need-base showing such that any tribe that operates a casino must demonstrate the same need all other grant applicants are required to demonstrate. Such an amendment would ensure that more federal funds would be available for tribes who truly need financial assistance while, at the same time, ensuring that federal tax dollars are not given to tribes that enjoy extraordinary wealth.Get the Story:
Carol A. Herrera: Change rules for tribe grants (The Santa Mari Times 1/28)
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