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Stand Up for California! is a statewide organization with a focus on gambling issues including tribal gaming, card clubs, horse racing, charitable gaming and the state lottery. | |
Indian casinos already are regulated
9/21/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
While the Sept. 10 editorial, "Shame on Jerry/Brown sandbags badly needed casino rules," would lead the reader to believe there is minimal regulation of casinos in California, the truth is tribal gaming is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the nation. We most certainly agree that strict casino regulation is essential for both the state and the public, but we disagree with the Union-Tribune's statement that casinos have been operating for years "without any meaningful scrutiny." On the contrary, our tribes operate under regulation as stringent, many times more so, than what has been proposed by the state.
Another View: Tribes already meet standards for casinos9/21/2008, The Sacramento Bee
The Bee's editorial regarding tribal gaming failed to mention that the standards the California Gambling Control Commission seeks to impose unilaterally on tribes are duplicative, unnecessary and discriminatory. Ill-considered commentaries like The Bee's leave a clear - though completely erroneous - impression that tribes are avoiding the imposition of minimum internal control standards at our casinos, putting "the public, the state and the tribes themselves" at risk of being "cheated." Nothing could be further from the truth.
Don't question integrity of tribal gaming9/20/2008, S. F. Chronicle The Chronicle's Sept. 17 editorial ("Jerry's gamble") criticizing Attorney General Jerry Brown for voting against the California Gambling Control Commission's attempt to impose regulatory standards on tribal casinos claims those regulatory standards are "desperately needed" and that "now more than 40 gaming tribes have gone nearly two years without minimum internal controls and they continue to resist them ..." These comments on the state of tribal gaming are not only false, they improperly impugn the integrity of tribal gaming by fostering the impression that tribes are consciously avoiding regulation and thereby putting the public and the state at risk of being cheated. In truth, the standards the California Gambling Control Commission seeks to impose unilaterally on tribes are duplicative, unnecessary and discriminatory.
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Cloverdale candidates focus on jobs, casino9/22/2008, The Press Democrat
Cloverdale has redesigned its main boulevard into a pedestrian-enticing area with benches and planters, provided merchants with funds to upgrade their storefronts, and rebuilt downtown streets and infrastructure. Now if more people would just come -- and spend some money while they're visiting. Economic development remains a top concern for Sonoma County's northernmost city, where most candidates for the three seats available in November's election put it high on their list of priorities.
Budget aside, the state's financial trauma is just getting started9/21/2008, The Los Angeles Times
The idea of borrowing billions of dollars against future lottery profits, which lawmakers had hoped would help keep the state solvent into 2010, increasingly appears unfeasible. The banks that would put up the money are fighting for survival, leaving many in the Capitol doubtful that the state would ever see the cash. And voters may choose not to authorize the borrowing when the question comes before them next year.
Tribe: Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs employee has active tuberculosis9/20/2008, The Desert Sun
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has learned that an employee of the tribe's Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis, a spokeswoman said today. Riverside County Health officials say the risk of transmission to others is low. In a news release issued by the tribe today, the employee is described as a "team member" who " has worked in a non food-handling position." Exactly when the employee was diagnosed has not been released. Officials also declined to say exactly what the person does and how they may have contracted the airborne disease.
Duran: 9th Circuit revives slot suits9/19/2008, Indian Country Today
In a win for California gaming tribes, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Aug. 9 revived two gaming device licensing suits brought by the Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community and the Rincon Band of Luiseņo Mission Indians of the Rincon Reservation. The suits challenged the state of California's bizarre and complicated method of allotting gaming device licenses under the 1999 tribal-state compacts. In both cases, the tribes claim that the state obstructed their opportunity to receive their full entitlement of 2,000 gaming device licenses, provided for under their respective compacts, when former Gov. Gray Davis' administration issued an executive order providing the California Gambling Control Commission unilateral, and seemingly unfettered, authority to issue and administer gaming device licenses covered under the compacts.
Schools pass on Soboba powwow; tribe says attendees should feel safe
9/19/2008, The Press Enterprise
SOBOBA INDIAN RESERVATION - Steps have been taken to assure safety and security during the 12th annual Soboba Powwow this weekend, tribal officials say. The assurances came after officials from San Jacinto School District declined to send elementary school students to the powwow's traditional pre-opening visit hosted by the tribe. Morillo said tribal patrols and security guards would be in place to make sure it's a peaceful event. He said volunteers with badges would also assist anyone needing help. A medical mobile van would be on hand, she said. Also, she said, the tribe would strictly enforce a policy prohibiting firearms, alcohol or drugs during the powwow.
DOJ won't provide Indian crime data to Senate9/19/2008, Indianz.com
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee was met with resistance on Thursday in its effort to combat high crime rates on reservations. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the committee, said the Department of Justice has repeatedly refused to provide data about the crimes it fails to prosecute. Citing publicly available data, Dorgan said U.S. Attorneys offices across the nation fail to go after more than 60 percent of cases. "Unfortunately, some offices have taken an out-of-sight, out-of-mind with regard to our obligation to Indian Country," said Dorgan.
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Important to Participate - Rulemaking
Class III Tribal State Gaming Compact Process9/2/2008, Federal Register SUMMARY: On July 2, 2008, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) proposed a rule to establish procedures for Indian tribes and States to submit Tribal-State compacts and compact amendments, governing the conduct of class III gaming activities on the tribe's Indian lands located within that State, for review and approval by the Secretary of the Interior (see 73 FR 37907). This notice extends the comment period for that proposed rule by 20 days, to September 22, 2008.
NIGC Announces Extension on Comment Period for After-Acquired Lands Policy9/4/2008, National Indian Gaming Commission
Washington, DC September 4, 2008 - National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Philip N. Hogen announced today that the agency is extending the time period for comments on how the NIGC should handle its decisions under the after-acquired lands provision of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), 25 U.S.C. § 2719, in light of the Department of the Interior's new regulations on that topic (73 FR 29354). In an August 11, 2008, letter to tribal leaders, Chairman Hogen had asked for input on the issue by September 5, 2008. That timeframe has now been extended to September 30, 2008.
EPA invites Public Comment
9/2/2008, Federal Register
EPA invites public comments on its responses during the 30 day comment period specified below. EPA sent reponses directly to the states on August 19 and tribes on or around August 20, 2008, and plans to make final designation determinations for the 2006 24 hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. December 18, 2008.
Compulsive Gambling Institute
1-800-GAMBLER 24 Hour Problem Gambling Help Line - Tom Tucker, Chief Executive Officer
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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