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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (6659)	9/3/2003 6:45:10 AM
From: KyrosL	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793623

CA is one place where I will be glad if the Democrats lose.

To: LindyBill who wrote (6659)	9/3/2003 7:02:08 AM
From: Bill Ulrich	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793623

Probably not any more or less than when the Genovese "tribe" runs it, or the Gambino and Bonnanno "tribes". <gg> "Makes you wonder just how corrupt tribal gaming is." This one is interesting — tribes checking out both sides, keeping their options open (EDIT: oh, I see you posted this a few days ago, sorry): Tribes play role in recall Casino issue could swing election's outcome LOS ANGELES - California's politically powerful Indian tribes are poised to play a key role in the campaign to recall Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, and they have much to gain from the outcome. Whoever occupies the governor's office after the Oct. 7 vote will largely determine how much gambling expands in California in future years, as well as whether tribal casinos will be asked to fork over more money to the state. Indian tribes have become some of the state's top political donors since scores of them signed deals three years ago to operate casinos, and they are expected to give heavily during the remaining six weeks of the campaign. "We're going to get involved because our future and our kids' future is riding on the outcome of this election, and I think we're going to play a significant role," said Michael Lombardi, an Indian gambling consultant. Some tribes see an opportunity with the candidacy of Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a Democrat who has been one of their top allies in Sacramento for a decade. Bustamante has indicated the tribes already pay a fair share of revenue to California and shouldn't be tapped for more, as Davis has tried to do. He has also suggested the market should determine how many slot machines that tribes, which are limited to a maximum of 2,000 each, should be allowed to operate. "Cruz Bustamante is the best friend gaming tribes have in Sacramento," said I. Nelson Rose, who teaches gambling law at Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa. Indian gambling has become a $5 billion-a-year state industry, with 54 tribal casinos in operation and experts predicting that within a few years California could surpass Nevada as the nation's No. 1 gambling state. With those billions of dollars flowing in, California tribes have reportedly spent more money on state political campaigns than any other interest group since 1998 - in excess of $120 million. Bustamante and Davis have been frequent beneficiaries of their largesse. Both politicians have reportedly received in excess of $1 million in tribal donations since 1999. "I'm going to ask the different tribal governments to assist me and provide as much support as they possibly can," Bustamante said recently. Two powerful San Diego County tribes are already helping Bustamante. The lieutenant governor attended a $500-a-plate fund-raiser Thursday night at the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians' casino. The event was also attended by representatives of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, and the next day Sycuan gave $21,200 - the maximum donation - to Bustamante's recall campaign committee and $300,000 to his officeholder account, which is not bound by contribution limits but may not be used to advocate his candidacy directly. Viejas also plans to donate money and conduct an independent expenditure campaign on Bustamante's behalf in San Diego County. After the fund-raiser Thursday night, Viejas Tribal Chairman Anthony Pico introduced Bustamante at a meeting of the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. "We look forward to the day that California has a Hispanic governor and today is as good as tomorrow for this to become a reality," Pico said. Other large Southern California tribes are expected to meet early this week and could also decide to back Bustamante. Tribal officials also say they have contacted Republican front-runner Arnold Schwar-zenegger and are attempting to arrange a meeting with him. Some of the tribes are wary of Schwarzenegger because of his connection to former Gov. Pete Wilson, a staunch gambling foe when he was in office. Wilson is co-chairing Schwarzenegger's campaign and many former Wilson aides work for the body-builder-turned-actor. But the possibility Schwar-zenegger could become governor if Davis is recalled has kept tribes receptive. Schwarzenegger and Bustamante had been neck-and-neck in polls, though a Los Angeles Times poll released late Saturday showed Bustamante ahead, 35 percent to 22 percent. "I think some tribes don't want to put themselves in the position of if Schwarzenegger wins they put all their eggs in the wrong basket," said Howard Dickstein, a Sacramento attorney who represents several tribes. Most tribal officials say they are not looking much beyond those two front-runners. Many also say they oppose the recall, although they wouldn't be unhappy to see Davis replaced by someone friendlier if he is recalled. Indian support helped get Davis elected in 1998, and he signed compacts three years ago allowing gambling operations for 61 of the state's 107 federally recognized tribes. But the governor also angered many tribes by requesting $1.5 billion in gambling revenue for the state budget, a figure he later lowered to $680 million. Some tribal leaders also don't like some of Davis' appointments to the California Gambling Control Commission, and some tribes have been irritated by the governor's approach to ongoing compact negotiations. As sovereign governments, tribes are not subject to state taxation, although they can agree to share revenue, and in some states they turn over as much as 25 percent. In California they don't contribute anything to the state's general fund, although they pay about $140 million a year to two special state accounts, one to help poor tribes and the other to mitigate the impact of casinos. "Some tribes are unhappy the compact negotiations process has gone so slowly. Some tribes are unhappy with the governor's appointees. Other tribes just are trying to recognize the reality, whether or not they support the governor, that he may not be the governor, and they're covering their bases," Dickstein said.