California Casino News Source: http://www.thedesertsun.com
The gaming compact brokered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians made its way through the State Senate earlier this week by a vote of 22-7. Now we're waiting on the Assembly, which could vote on the issue as early as next Thursday.
In addition to allowing construction of a third casino in the Coachella Valley, the deal would also allow the tribe to operate 5,000 slot machines instead of the 2,000 it now has.
Everyone seems to think the tribe is trying to speed this thing through the legislature. Sen. Nell Soto, D-Ontario, asked, "Do we have to make the decision today?"
Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, the chairman of the Senate Governmental Organization committee, asked "Do you have a warehouse these slot machines are sitting in?" Like the Agua Calientes are going to have a cache of unused slot machines just sitting in a warehouse somewhere.
Furthermore, Rancho Mirage Mayor Pro Tem Dana Hobart said: "In our view, a fast track is not an appropriate process for a pact agreement with a tribe that would extend its gaming agreement another 10 years."
The tribe may be trying to get this taken care of quickly, but if you ask this Rat, it should be the state, with all its woes regarding the budget deficit, that should be trying to get this thing on a faster track.
Sure, the Rat thinks we should stop and think a little before letting another casino into the valley, but if the ones that are already here want more slot machines, why not let them?
According to Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia and Sen. Jim Battin, joint authors of the legislation, the state would see about $11,700 per slot machine for the first 2,000 slot machines through 2030. That's some pretty huge revenue to be generated from something that would basically take no effort whatsoever from the financially strapped state.
Battin, who is under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission for alleged violations in fundraising efforts for his 2004 senate reelection campaign, also said: "I suggest you visit the facilities on a Friday night. ... You'll clearly see why the demand is there. ... People have to wait a half-hour, 45 minutes to get on a machine."
Hmmmmm, are slot machines considered a legitimate means of raising campaign money? That may be a separate issue.
In response to the criticism the tribe has received on the issue, Cathedral City City Manager Don Bradley testified that the tribe is a good friend and neighbor to the valley, and Agua Caliente Chairman Richard Milanovich cited contributions of more than $30 million to cities and counties in the state.
If this compact does make it through the Assembly, maybe some of the revenue could even offset the need for some of these new taxes on the ballot this November? We'll have to wait and see. |
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