Post by blackcrowheart on Apr 2, 2007 20:28:28 GMT -5
San Manuel tribe, governor seeking bill to allow expanded gaming
This week, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians could take a significant step toward a new agreement that would allow the tribe to install thousands of slot machines at its casino.
Jerry Paresa, the San Manuels' executive director of government operations, said late last week the tribe has yet to find a legislator who would author a bill to ratify a new gaming compact. But Paresa said he is optimistic things will work out to the tribe's advantage. The reason behind Paresa's confidence: money. Specifically, the state's need for it. According to the Department of Finance's analysis of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget, revised gaming compacts that would allow five California tribes to expand casino operations could put $506 million in state coffers in fiscal year 2007-08. The compacts would have to be approved in the early part of this year for the state to receive the entire amount. "There's a great deal of revenue at stake for the state," Paresa said. "They're going to be looking for funds." The tribe operates the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino on its reservation near San Bernardino. Friday is the last day for
bills to be submitted to the Office of Legislative Counsel to prepare them for introduction. Schwarzenegger acknowledged California's need for cash during a recent conference with the media. At the Sacramento Press Club Luncheon on Wednesday, the governor said funding for state programs would fall short without the compacts. Schwarzenegger spokesman Darrel Ng, reiterated that point in a telephone interview. "He hopes the Legislature ratifies them (the compacts) because the state is losing money every day we wait," Ng said. The San Manuels are required to give the state a $19.4 million slice of their slot-machine revenues. The tribe is allowed to operate 2,000 slots. The amended deal, which was released in August, would require the tribe to give the state a flat payment of $45 million per year. The revised compact would allow a maximum of 7,500 slot machines, and the state's share of the San Manuels' winnings would grow when the number of slot
machines increases. The Department of Finance has projected that if 7,500 slots are installed at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, the tribe could pay $7.2 billion to California by 2030. If the tribe operates 5,000 slot machines, that amount would be $3.8 billion. At the end of August, revised compacts for the San Manuels and five other gaming tribes failed to pass the Legislature. Assemblyman George Plescia, R-San Diego, carried a bill in support of those deals. It also included a new compact for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, which operates a casino near Cabazon. The San Manuels' casino employees are unionized under the banner of the Communications Workers of America. Legislators say organized labor's opposition to the gaming legislation was a key reason the deals were not approved last year. Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Monrovia, said there is some talk in Sacramento that tribes might have a better shot at success if a Democratic legislator
authors a bill in support of new compacts. "I think there's a number of people who think they spurned the labor unions," Adams said, referring to Republicans who supported the gaming bills in August. Adams also represents Highland, north San Bernardino, and parts of the High Desert. Two other tribes looking to bounce back from legislative setbacks last year are the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians from north San Diego County and the Big Lagoon Rancheria Tribe based in Humboldt County. Schwarzenegger has signed compacts with both tribes for proposed casinos near Barstow, but an Assembly committee killed the deals in June. Those two tribes are working with BarWest Gaming, a Detroit-based developer. BarWest spokesman Tom Shields, said the tribes are trying to gain support for their project and are prepared to meet Friday's legislative deadline.
This week, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians could take a significant step toward a new agreement that would allow the tribe to install thousands of slot machines at its casino.
Jerry Paresa, the San Manuels' executive director of government operations, said late last week the tribe has yet to find a legislator who would author a bill to ratify a new gaming compact. But Paresa said he is optimistic things will work out to the tribe's advantage. The reason behind Paresa's confidence: money. Specifically, the state's need for it. According to the Department of Finance's analysis of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget, revised gaming compacts that would allow five California tribes to expand casino operations could put $506 million in state coffers in fiscal year 2007-08. The compacts would have to be approved in the early part of this year for the state to receive the entire amount. "There's a great deal of revenue at stake for the state," Paresa said. "They're going to be looking for funds." The tribe operates the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino on its reservation near San Bernardino. Friday is the last day for
bills to be submitted to the Office of Legislative Counsel to prepare them for introduction. Schwarzenegger acknowledged California's need for cash during a recent conference with the media. At the Sacramento Press Club Luncheon on Wednesday, the governor said funding for state programs would fall short without the compacts. Schwarzenegger spokesman Darrel Ng, reiterated that point in a telephone interview. "He hopes the Legislature ratifies them (the compacts) because the state is losing money every day we wait," Ng said. The San Manuels are required to give the state a $19.4 million slice of their slot-machine revenues. The tribe is allowed to operate 2,000 slots. The amended deal, which was released in August, would require the tribe to give the state a flat payment of $45 million per year. The revised compact would allow a maximum of 7,500 slot machines, and the state's share of the San Manuels' winnings would grow when the number of slot
machines increases. The Department of Finance has projected that if 7,500 slots are installed at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, the tribe could pay $7.2 billion to California by 2030. If the tribe operates 5,000 slot machines, that amount would be $3.8 billion. At the end of August, revised compacts for the San Manuels and five other gaming tribes failed to pass the Legislature. Assemblyman George Plescia, R-San Diego, carried a bill in support of those deals. It also included a new compact for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, which operates a casino near Cabazon. The San Manuels' casino employees are unionized under the banner of the Communications Workers of America. Legislators say organized labor's opposition to the gaming legislation was a key reason the deals were not approved last year. Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Monrovia, said there is some talk in Sacramento that tribes might have a better shot at success if a Democratic legislator
authors a bill in support of new compacts. "I think there's a number of people who think they spurned the labor unions," Adams said, referring to Republicans who supported the gaming bills in August. Adams also represents Highland, north San Bernardino, and parts of the High Desert. Two other tribes looking to bounce back from legislative setbacks last year are the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians from north San Diego County and the Big Lagoon Rancheria Tribe based in Humboldt County. Schwarzenegger has signed compacts with both tribes for proposed casinos near Barstow, but an Assembly committee killed the deals in June. Those two tribes are working with BarWest Gaming, a Detroit-based developer. BarWest spokesman Tom Shields, said the tribes are trying to gain support for their project and are prepared to meet Friday's legislative deadline.
