|
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. | |
San Pasqual tribe to meet on enrollment split
10/9/2008, North County Times
Talks between warring factions of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians are at a stalemate, which has led to a crucial meeting this weekend between tribal leaders and federal officials at the North County reservation. A dispute on whether 80 people belong in the tribe has split the tribe's governing council, putting the tribe's Valley View Casino at risk of closing its doors, a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said Thursday. "The elected council needs to come together, not two on that side and three on that side, but as five members," said Jim Fletcher, the bureau's Southern California superintendent. Fletcher is scheduled to meet with San Pasqual tribal leaders Sunday to discuss the ongoing dispute.
Tribe fails to settle leadership dispute10/13/2008, San Diego Union Tribune VALLEY CENTER - An impasse that threatens the future of the San Pasqual Indian band's Valley View Casino continued yesterday despite efforts to bring warring factions together, the local head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs said. The tribe's quarterly meeting drew about 200 members to a tent on the reservation in Valley Center, but competing sides couldn't resolve their differences, said James Fletcher, the bureau's Southern California superintendent. The meeting was the latest attempt to settle the issue of who represents the tribe's government, which consists of the tribe's adult members. A five-member executive committee has split, with each faction saying it is the legitimate government. Fletcher recognizes neither one.
| |
Another view: Tribe's leader says successes more important than wealth10/12/2008, Sacramento Bee- letter to the editor
I write concerning the article published in The Sacramento Bee about my tribe, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians ("Wealth breeds 'poverty of soul,' " Oct. 5). Unfortunately, The Bee's relentless focus on tribal finances and personal problems of some members created an impression far different than reality. The Bee truly missed the point in telling the story of a once downtrodden people who, through an incredible reversal of fortune, are changing their lives for the better.
INSIDE GAMING: That thud? It's casino stocks crashing 10/12/2008, Las Vegas Review Journal
Like a mistress who has lost her allure, the gaming industry is getting the cold shoulder from Wall Street. Stock prices of the major casino operators have plummeted in 2008. In the past week, shares of publicly traded casino operators and slot-machine manufacturers sank to historic lows. MGM Mirage, Las Vegas Sands Corp. and International Game Technology, once the sector's most expensive shares, are trading in the teens. Ameristar Casinos Inc., Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. and Boyd Gaming Corp. stock can be bought for pocket change. JPMorgan gaming analyst Joe Greff often ends his investor notes by telling clients to remain on the sidelines when it comes to the gaming industry. Like they need any encouragement? Other research analysts are advising folks to pass on the gaming sector.
Fatal crash highlights lure of casinos for seniors
10/11/2008, The Baltimore Sun - Associated Press
The casinos in Northern California work to attract lonely seniors on fixed incomes by offering cheap transportation on charter buses like the one that crashed last weekend, killing eight people. The casinos also provide free meals and complimentary slot machine play to the thousands of seniors who have helped fuel the industry over the past decade. Some seniors fund the excursions with their Social Security checks and return home worrying about not being able to cover basic living expenses. "Every single time, they always complain they don't have money," said Pa Phang, 37, whose 87-year-old father-in-law, Xee Hue Vang, died Oct. 5 in the crash an hour north of Sacramento. Her mother-in-law, Mao Lee Yang, 75, was hospitalized. Phang, whose in-laws each received about $700 a month in public assistance, recounted a conversation the Hmong pair had a few weeks ago: "My dad was telling my mom, 'I think we shouldn't go. You already lost $200 on the first of the month.' My mom said, 'It's my money.'"
PART 34: Cold Case Murder Squad Investigating Three Local Indian Tribes10/10/2008, KESQ Channel 3
News Channel 3 has learned three local indian tribes are under investigation for possible involvement in a 1981 Rancho Mirage triple murder. The three tribes under investigation are the Cabazons, the Santa Rosa, and the Torres Martinez. They are suspected of setting up secret experimental weapons testing deals in the 1980s. Three people who reportedly knew too much were murdered "execution style" in 1981. Riverside County Cold Case Detectives believe the documents revealed we're revealing now are what they died for.
| |
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
Impact Of Indian Gaming Law Changed Casino Industry
10/11/2008,
WASHINGTON -- The gaming industry changed irrevocably when President Reagan signed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act on Oct. 17, 1988. Twenty years later, tribal casinos earn more money than those in Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined. "I believe the expectation of almost every lawmaker then was that the future of Indian gaming was going to be in high stakes bingo," said Phil Hogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Instead, about 90 percent of the $26 billion in Indian gaming revenue last year came from casinos. By comparison, Nevada casinos collected $12.8 billion and New Jersey casinos collected $4.9 billion. The Indian gaming industry employs more than 700,000 workers -- more than half of them are not Indians.
Land transfer to Pechanga is approved by Congress
10/5/2008, San Diego Union Tribune
NORTH COUNTY - Congress has approved transferring more than 1.7 square miles of federal land in Riverside and San Diego counties to the Pechanga Indian band, which has agreed to keep much of it as a wildlife preserve. Advertisement The bill is now on President Bush's desk. The White House has not taken a position on it, a spokesman said last week.
State Legislation to Watch
December 1- the 2009 Legislative Regular Session Convenes for Organizational Session
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. AMENDED TO INCLUDE:
No Gaming. Maintained as open space and construction consistent with this purpose.
No existing right of ways or right of use prior to the date of enactment are affected.
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.
S. 3320 - Tribal Law and Order Act - to be introduced in early 2009.
LINKS and Legislation
Stand Up For California - Library
Stand Up For California - Helpful Links
Compulsive Gambling Institute www.gamblingaddiction.cc 1-800-GAMBLER 24 Hour Problem Gambling Help Line - Tom Tucker, Chief Executive Officer
| |
| |
|
