San Manuel reaches out to rid reservation of crime
6/23/2008, Los Angeles Times
HIGHLAND -- When James Ramos became chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians this spring, he inherited serious problems of violence and drugs on the reservation. Tribal members had been linked to the Mexican Mafia, federal authorities had raided homes and the private security force had been criticized for being too lenient with some members.
Casino opponents keep close eye on reservation
6/23/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
Neighbors of the Jamul Indian Village, a 6-acre reservation 20 miles from downtown San Diego, have been waging a 15-year battle over a proposed tribal casino. "I keep my camera in my car," casino foe Lisa Darroch said as she stood with a telephoto lens on Melody Road, overlooking the reservation.
Compact delay lets tribe forgo $30-million payment to California
6/22/2008, Los Angeles Times
SACRAMENTO -- Exploiting a loophole in a deal struck with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a San Diego County Indian tribe has avoided paying the cash-strapped state $30 million in gambling profits. Voters in February allowed four tribes to expand their casino operations in exchange for a larger share of their revenues. Three of the tribes must make the payments their compacts demand by the end of next month, but the Schwarzenegger administration last week said the Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay Nation could wait until next year to start payments
Job seekers, union seek a jackpot
6/22/2008, Sacramento Bee
When it opens its doors to anticipated throngs of gamblers later this year, Red Hawk Casino will instantly become El Dorado County's largest private employer. The casino also is a prime target of a fastgrowing union. The Indian casino under construction in Shingle Springs is already accepting applications for selected management positions, and as it gets closer to opening jobs will be available in food and beverage, gambling, security, finance, marketing, retail and facilities - a total of nearly 1,800 new employees. But job seekers aren't the only ones monitoring the progress of the 270,000-square-foot casino just north of Highway 50.
Route 76 widening under way
6/21/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
The Pala Band of Mission Indians has agreed to spend more than $38 million for improvements along the highway and nearby roads as a condition for a major expansion of its casino. More than one-third of that money is to pay for the conversion of the highway from I-15 to the quarry, with Granite paying for the rest. However, as other developments are built along the improved section of the highway, Granite will be reimbursed for some of the costs. |
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Comments Due: Off Reservation 228.04 acre trust acquisition and construction of casino project to be located within the City of Plymouth in Amador County, California.Mail comments to Amy Dutschke, acting Regional Director, Pacific Regional Office, BIA, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA. 92825. Written comments will be accepted through July 2, 2008,
Upcoming Conference
INDIAN COUNTRY'S WINNING HAND, October 16-17, 2008, Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino Scottsdale/Fountian Hills, Arizona. Register online: www.law.asu.edu/ilp
LINKS and Legislation
Stand Up For California - Library
Stand Up For California - Helpful Links
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State Legislation to Watch
AJR 39 - Assembly Member Huffman
Reaffirmation of the Winneman Wintu.
AB 1924 - Assembly Member Jeffries Changes the amount of charitable BINGO funds that may be used for overhead and other operational expenses. Amended 6-18-08
AB 2026 - Assembly Member Levine -
The California Gambling Control in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall authorize and report its findings to the legislature by June 30, 2009, regarding authorizing interstate Internet Poker. Amended 6-18-008
SB 62 - Sen. Florez - Permits the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for eligible recipient tribes should there be insufficient funds in the Special Distribution Fund.
SB 331 -Sen. Romero - Imposes a state mandated local program to address tresspassers on tribal lands
SB 996 Sen. Florez - This bill would require each tribal state gaming compact entered into between the State of California and a federally recognized Indian Tribe to be ratified by the Legislature in Separate Statute.
SB 1201 - Sen. Battin Increases the aggregate limit of gaming devices licenses available for issuance under the 1999 compacts to 122,000 slot machines without tribal state compact renegotiations.
SB 1328 - Sen. Cedillo - deletes the $250 limitation on bingo game payouts, thereby allows for an award of any denomination.
SB - 1570 - Sen. Vincent - Requires the Governor to use best efforts to ensure that satellite wagering on horese racing is one of the forms of gaming offered at any gambling facility authorized under a compact. SB 1626 - Sen. Steinberg -Game of Bingo to be played by machine with electronic cards. Slot machines? SB 1679 - Sen. Florez - Lottery Reform Bill: requiresthat not less than 87% of revenues be used for prizes and to benefit education, 13% for lottery expenses. Total revenue to education will be decided by the Commission but not less than 1,200,000,000. Requires 1 million to be committed to the Office of Problem and Pathological gambling. Defines, expands and loosens restrictions of lottery game themes.
SB 1695 - Sen. Florez - Prohibits the Governor from negotiating or concluding a gaming compact with a tribe that does not have land held in trust on which the gaming is to occur and that is not federally recognized. Bill passes the Senate.
SCA 20 -Sen. Vincent - Constitutional Amendment authorizes Roulette and Craps on California Indian lands for compact tribes.
SCA 25 - Sen. Florez -Will allow the legislature, to adjust annually the percentages for prizes, public education, lottery expenses and problem gambling awareness and treatment programs. Introduced 6-6-08
Federal Legislation to Watch
H. R. 2963 - Congressman Issa Transfers without regulatory environmental process 1,178 ac. in Riverside and San Diego Counties to the Pechanga Band. Why?
H.R. 3490 - Congressman Radanovich
Declares that specificed federal lands are to be held in trust by the US for the benefit of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuik Indians for non gaming purposes.
H.R. 5608 Congressman Rahall - mandates that adminstration directly consults with tribes on policies that directly affect their lives.
H. R. 5680 Congressman Grijalva - A bill to extend leases for Morongo and transfer money to CRIT.
S. 2676 - Senator Vitter - Common Sense Indian Gambling Reform Act of 2008. To make technical corrections to IGRA. Consultation with local government.
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