Senate Informational Hearings

This week began with two days of informational hearings before the Senate Governmental Organization committee, chaired by Sen. Dean Florez, -D-Shafter, concerning proposed amendments to Indian gaming compacts that would bring 22,500 more slot machines to the state and funnel more than a million dollars a day to state coffers. On Tuesday The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians spoke. Wedesday the San Manuel Band and the Pechanga Band had their say.

Tuesday, employees of the casinos spoke of hamstrung efforts to organize. Another voice was horse racing officials who said their industry was endangered. Others raised issues concerning problem gambling funding and the impact that "exclusivity" would have on California card rooms. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' chairman Richard Milanovich indicated that the testimony seemed like a re-run from last year's hearings. Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta agreed the hearing was a repeat of 2006.

The Aqua Caliente's renegotiated compact, of last year , gained approval in the Senate but stallled in the Assembly in the waning hours of the 2006 Legislature. Some blamed it on organized labor and others thought the lateness of the deal's presentation in the Legislative schedule killed it. This year though, the Agua Caliente have the Morongo Band standing beside them.

Battin believes that, again, it will pass the Senate this year but stated,"It's an Assembly Democratic issue. It'll be up to the speaker (Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, if he wants to hold it up on a card check neutrality" as opposed to the secret ballot system tribes with 1999 gaming compacts already have in place.

H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the Department of Finance, said the governor needs to know whether the Legislature is going to approve the compacts by the time he has to present his revision of the 2007-2008 budget by mid-May. "If those compacts are not down here (on the governor's desk) or on their way down here by the May revise, we are going to have to make a decision about what we are going to do, which very likely could mean reductions in other areas of the budget."
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Over the past two days, reporters for The Desert Sun's Sacramento bureau have closely covered the hearings. Here is a selection of quotes from opponents, supporters and stakeholders from all sides:

"We want to see if we can get you to participate with us in a more robust policy. It (treatment of problem gambling) is very broken on our side.''Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, asking tribes to help the state deal with problem gambling

''I don't see citizens . . . clamoring for more gambling.''Fred Jones,California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion'

'We need somebody in there to help us, to back us up. They (casino management) don't need to be afraid of a union.''Stella Wilson,who said she worked for the Morongo Tribe for almost two years. Wearing a red Unite HERE T-shirt, she said workers need a union.

"We keep getting the blame piled on us, which I don't think is right.''Richard Milanovich,Agua Caliente Chairman, speaking of the blame the tribes get for the problems of the horse racing industry.

"Ratification of these compacts is, at best, problematic. ... There are inherent dangers. ... It's important to reevaluate the cost benefits associated with the decision regarding these compacts."The Rev. James Butler,executive director of California Coalition Against Gambling Expansion

"We don't oppose prosperity for Indian tribes ... what we are opposed to are compacts that take it out of our hides."Ed Baedaker,president of Hollywood Park and Bay Meadows horse tracks

"… Exclusive rights to Las Vegas-style gambling has produced a windfall in profits for a small number of tribes that have in turn spent nearly $250 million on politics in California since the industry's inception. … "Cheryl Schmit,director, Stand Up for California

"This is the third year the Yuroks have tried to get a state tribal gaming compact … I'm optimistic the state Legislature will see the window to improve their quality of life."Sen. Patricia Wiggins,D-Santa Rosa

"How do you think we wound up with federal law involving the rights to organize? Did you think it was because it was all funsie in the fields?"Barry Broad,a lawyer representing the Teamsters; said during a testy line of questioning with members of the Senate.

"One million dollars a day at a minimum is what you are looking at (losing) by not approving the compacts."Robert Martin,chairman, Morongo Band of Mission Indians

Source:
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/NEWS06/704120330
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20070412/NEWS06/704120330/1012
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