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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. | |
Casino plans not in cards in tribe buy10/22/2008, Havasu News
Don't look for a casino in the English Village any time soon. Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs Executive Director Kenneth Poocha said tribal sovereignty does not automatically extend to non-reservation land purchased by a tribe. "Only if it is held in trust," Poocha said. The Chemehuevi Tribe announced Tuesday the purchase of Lake Havasu City land just north of the English Village in order to dock the Dreamcatcher ferry. The tribe is also purchasing a lot in the London Bridge Shopping Center and Action Adventure Rentals business, one of the boating operations currently sharing the dock. Lake Havasu City Attorney Paul Lenkowsky said, "At this stage, we have no knowledge if there are intended actions that would exempt the tribe from city regulations, such as business licensing and sales tax."
Chemehuevi Tribe buys dock, land10/21/2008, Havasu News
The Chemehuevi Indian Tribe has agreed to purchase two parcels of land in Lake Havasu City, one of which will be used to dock the Dreamcatcher ferry. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. The dock and adjoining approximate 1/16 of an acre of land the tribe is purchasing is the current home of Action Adventure Rentals, Blue Water Jet Boat Tours and Vessel Assist. "That (the ferry) is the backbone of the tribe's economy. Any future development for the tribe, the ferry comes into play," said Chemehuevi Tribal Chairman Charles Wood. The ferry currently docks at the Island Fashion Mall.
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SAN PASQUAL INDIAN RESERVATION: Tribe breaks ground on new hotel
10/20/2008, North County Times
SAN PASQUAL INDIAN RESERVATION ---- Officials with the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians broke ground Monday on their new, 161-room hotel. The tribe owns the Valley View Casino near Valley Center. It plans to build a boutique hotel to make room for guests that want to stay overnight. "Breaking ground for our hotel is an exciting step in our expansion process," said Joe Navarro, president of the San Pasqual Casino Development Group.
Bus in deadly Calif. crash had not been inspected
10/20/2008, Press Enterprise - Associated Press
California Highway Patrol records show a charter bus that crashed earlier this month, killing nine, had not been inspected for safety because the owner failed to list it as required under state law. Vehicle inspection records released Monday reveal that the owner of the tour bus company, Daniel Cobb, did not tell CHP inspectors about the bus involved in the fatal Oct. 5 accident. Investigators are looking into the history of that bus, which also had not been issued a permit by the California Public Utilities Commission. "It will be months before we have all those answers," CHP spokeswoman Fran Clader said.
Local measures on ballot in Needles10/19/2008, Mohave Daily News
NEEDLES - Voters will be asked to make two important local decisions when they go to the polls Nov. 4. Measure H: "Do you approve of the placement of a casino by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe on part of a 300-acre parcel of tribal land located approximately four and one-half miles west of the city of Needles and adjacent to Interstate 40?" Measure H, impartial analysis (in part) by Robert Hargreaves, city attorney: "A favorable advisory vote by the electorate of the city of Needles is a precondition to the governor's approval of the casino. Other preconditions include (1) the United States Secretary of Interior determines that the casino would be in the best interest of the tribe and would not be detrimental to the surrounding community, and (2) the Board of Supervisors of the county of San Bernardino and the City Council for the city of Needles approve of the location." Measure I: "Shall the City Council conduct a feasibility study and if the feasibility study demonstrates that the city of Needles can re-establish and operate its own police force at an acceptable level of service and at an acceptable cost which is equal to or less than the current and projected costs of contracting with the sheriff's department, shall the City Council be required to reestablish and operate its own police department?"
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Sour economy hits California Lottery too10/23/2008, Los Angeles Times
Lottery revenue dropped $260 million, or 8%, for the fiscal year ending June 30. It was the second year in a row that ticket sales had declined. With a percentage of lottery revenue dedicated to education, the dive in sales means $106 million less for schools this year and $186 million less than was provided three years ago. State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter), chairman of a Senate committee that oversees the lottery, blamed the drop on "the sour economy" and a decline in disposable income of potential ticket buyers. Similar drops in lottery sales have been seen in other states hit especially hard by the economic downturn, including Florida, Texas, New Hampshire and Maine. "Lotteries all over the country are down," said Richard McGowan, a Boston College professor of economics who has written books on the gambling industry.
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
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