The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians jumped into the battle over the future of gaming in the state of California with a new voter initiative.

The tribe's proposition would allow tribe to keep their hold on Class III gaming and expand their offerings to include all card and table games. But tribes would be required to pay 8.84% of their gambling profits to the state, the same rate California corporations are taxed.

Tribes with existing compacts would be under no obligation to agree to the terms. Those that do would be allowed to operate for 99 years.

The initiative responds to claims by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) that tribes aren't paying their "fair share." A spokesperson said the state is moving forward with renegotiating existing compacts.

The proposal also counters an initiative to allow non-Indian gaming at card clubs and race tracks Some tribes have already committed money to opposing that bid.

Get the Story:
Tribe's Measure Offers Tax Deal (The Los Angeles Times 1/22)
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Tribe offers tax deal to ease limits on gaming (Copley News Service 1/22)
Tribe offers state more cash (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 1/22)

Relevant Links:
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians - http://www.aguacaliente.org
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger - http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_homepage.jsp

Related Stories:
Challenges to tribal sovereignty cited (1/20)
Calif. tribes meet challenges to gaming rights (1/15)
Calif. tribes welcome pick for compact negotiator (01/08)
Schwarzenegger seeks revenues from gaming tribes (01/07)
Commentary: Gaming tribes must serve public (11/25)
Calif. tribes put aside rhetoric of recall election (11/10)
Schwarzenegger picks card club adviser for post (11/06)
Commentary: 'Promiscuous' spending by Calif. tribes (11/04)
Opinion: Calif. tribes on 'defensive' after recall (10/21)
Column: Schwarzenegger groped Indians in Calif. (10/20)
Harjo: Schwarzenegger needs education on Indians (10/20)
Commentary: Schwarzenegger wrong on Indian gaming (10/16)
WSJ Column: Tribes should pay their fair share (10/14)