Butte County Update - No Advisory Vote

The proposed advisory vote, as posted yesterday for Butte County, did not receive support from the Board of Supervisors.

Oroville Supervisor Bill Connelly had asked the board to consider an advisory ballot measure for the November election that would have asked whether the county should support additional casinos.

"This was just an idea to let the public voice their opinion for or against gaming in general," said Connelly.

Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi of Paradise said such a vote was "moot" because tribes are sovereign, and local agencies such as Butte County have no official role in such decisions.

The board did, though, decide to hold a comprehensive hearing on the impact of gambling on both the public and private sectors.

Connelly said such a hearing could focus on the impacts on the county and the board could take a formal vote in favor of or opposed to future casinos.

Supervisor Maureen Kirk of Chico said the goal would be to let the community express its opinion too.