Unlike winning a slot machine jackpot, Propositions 94, 95,
96 and 97 are no gamble, and will bring much-needed revenue to
at a time when it seems the state is slipping further and further into
financial crisis.
If passed, the measures would simply uphold gaming
agreements that are already in existence; the four American Indian tribes
covered by the measures already support large casinos on their reservations.
In fact, the proposed changes to the gaming compacts were
championed by the state, approved by bipartisan majorities in the Legislature
and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but because of a strong push —
primarily by racetrack owners and a few other tribes — a petition drive landed
the propositions on the ballot, forcing California voters to decide their fate.
The initiatives are virtually identical, with the only
difference being the
Diego
tribes in question: the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, the Morongo
Band of Mission Indians, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, and the Agua
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
The agreements between the state and the tribes, which hold
exclusive rights to operate slot machines in California, would increase the
permitted number of operating machines by a few thousand.
More machines mean more gamblers, which ultimately means
more money. According to a formula drawn up in the agreements, the tribes will
give the state 15 to 25 percent of the total additional revenue, which the
state has predicted to number in the hundreds of millions per year.
There is really no logical argument against these
propositions; opponents argue that the reservations will transform into huge
Las Vegas-esque powerhouses and that expansion projects will irreversibly harm
the environment, but in reality the expansions will conform to strict standards
in line with established state law.
The expansions will not adversely affect the state’s 104
other indigenous tribes, another claim thrown around by opponents; under the
agreements, the four tribes would share tens of millions of dollars with other
tribes that currently have little or no gaming.
Critics also preach that tribes will have the ultimate say
regarding how much money will be given to
but in actuality the State Gaming Agency will audit each payment, and disputes
will be settled accordingly. Although those audits will not be available to the
public — every rose has its thorn — there is no arguing against the fact that
the state will receive more revenue.
It is true that the measures will not solve the state’s
fiscal crises, but it would be foolish to think that the state would not
benefit enormously from them — both via revenue and the creation of thousands
of additional jobs. Vote yes on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97. And who knows,
maybe you’ll be the lucky jackpot winner on one of the new machines.
