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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. | |
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450-plus Indian casino jobs slashed
11/25/2008, Indian Country Today
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. - More than 450 Indian casino employees have been laid off here as a result of the economic and gaming industry downturn, casino officials said. Beginning in August, the Pechanga Casino, Riverside County's second largest employer, began to lay off 368 workers, about 8 percent of their total workforce. That was followed by Morongo Casino's announcement in the first week of November that they were laying off 95 casino workers, totaling 463 jobs in an area with a dozen Indian casinos.
Tribe's schism threatens casino11/25/2008, Indian Country Today
VALLEY CENTER, Calif. - The latest meditation attempt by BIA officials Oct. 12 to resolve a rift between members of a tribal council has failed, possibly threatening the legality of its lucrative casino operations, a senior BIA official said. As it stands, the BIA does not recognize the split tribal government of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians in inland San Diego County, said James Fletcher, superintendent of the Southern California Agency of the BIA. "If they don't come to an agreement there may be far reaching impacts," Fletcher said. Pressed on whether the tribe's Valley View Casino was at risk, Fletcher said, "The potential exists, yes, but I don't know how high at this point." | |
Thunder Valley Puts $1 Billion Expansion On Hold11/25/2008, CBS Channel 13 LINCOLN (CBS13) Thunder Valley Casino has been forced to postpone their ambitious expansion due to current economic uncertainty. Officials say they have no other choice but to put the $1 billion project on hold. Thunder Valley, California's largest casino, broke ground earlier on the expansion that would have brought a five-star hotel, restaurants, convention center, and a performing arts center to the property. ( link to video for report)
Back in the Slammer11/24/2008, The Press Enterprise Well, that certainly didn't take long. Stacey Cheyenne Barajas-Nunez, the San Manuel tribal member sentenced on Nov. 6 to five years probation for an alleged murder-for-hire plot, was arrested Friday night for allegedly violating probation. Barajas-Nunez's sentence had been criticized as unusually lenient, since she avoided prison in a very serious crime. County prosecutors defended the sentence, saying Barajas-Nunez knew that if she violated so much as a single law, she could go to prison for 21 years.
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State Legislation to Watch
On December 1, 2008 the 2009 Legislative Regular Session Convenes for Organizational Session
Federal Legislation to Watch
A Lame Duck session may begin Nov. 17/18, there is speculation of a 'Lands Ominbus bill' to be introduced by Senator Harry Reid. It will carry approximately 160 bills that have previously passed the House, as well as Senate Bills. MORE AS IT EVOLVES.
H. R. 2963 - ENROLLED 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 -REPORTED TO SENATE 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. 5680 REPORTED TO SENATE Congressman Grijalva - A bill to extend leases for Morongo and transfer money to CRIT.
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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