Sen. Feinstein insists on limit to new tribal casinos in California

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

>
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) called on Congress to limit new tribal casinos in California after spreading misinformation about the industry earlier this year.

Feinstein testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on November 20. She said any fix to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar must address gaming even though the overwhelming majority of land-into-trust applications are for housing, education, natural resource and other projects.

"Enough is enough," Feinstein told the committee.

In March, Feinstein introduced S.477, the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act, as a way to restrict new development. At the time, she claimed California was home to more than 100 tribal facilities.

The correct number is 70 -- according to a list from the National Indian Gaming Commission. Feinstein finally corrected that figure at the hearing last month but attributed it to the American Gaming Association rather than an official government agency.

California has more than 100 tribes and only about half of them operate casinos. The rest wouldn't be able to join the industry if Feinstein got her way.

Get the Story:
Feinstein Insists Carcieri Fix Address Her Opposition to Tribal Gaming (Indian Country Today 12/2) $P Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING: "Carcieri: Bringing Certainty to Trust Land Acquisitions." (November 20, 2013) Related Stories:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein to testify at SCIA land-into-trust hearing (11/20)