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Editorial: Vote yes to support North Fork Rancheria gaming deal

Proposition 48 asks voters to ratify or overturn the compact between the state and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, an agreement that would allow the tribe to build a 2,000-slot machine casino on newly acquired land near Madera, about 38 miles away from its reservation in the Sierra foothills. A “yes” vote would uphold the compact, which was negotiated by Gov. Jerry Brown and approved by the Legislature. A “no” vote would reject it and require the governor to negotiate a new pact with the tribe.

The Times urges a “yes” vote.

Before voters consider the merits of Proposition 48, they should know this: The measure has become a fight between the tribes that have casinos and the tribes that want them (with established gambling interests lining up on various sides of the proposal). The measure wouldn't even be on the ballot if casino-owning tribes in the Central Valley and their financial backers hadn't bankrolled the effort to collect signatures to qualify the referendum; they're hoping for a “no” vote to stop the project, and they've so far raised $6.7 million toward that end. The “yes” campaign has raised less than $400,000.