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The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

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California State Assembly Surprises and Votes Down Agua Caliente Tribal Gaming Compact

By Frank D. Russo

The California Assembly voted just about ago on ratification of a compact negotiated by the Schwarzenegger Administration with the Agua Caliente Indian Tribe to allow Much to the surprise of many because of the major political contributions made by the tribe to state officeholders and candidates, the Assembly rejected the compact on a 33 to 27 vote with 19 abstentions. By far most Democrats opposed the bill and virtually all the votes for it came from Republicans.

The compact came up as part of AB 2399 by Republican Assemblymember Bonnie Garcia. The version of the bill that is available to the public and on the internet is an older version as it was recently amended and those changes are “not in print.” The measure would have allowed the Agua Caliente tribe to increase the numbers of their slot machines to 5,000 in the Inland Empire, East of Los Angeles, large even by Nevada standards, and unprecedented in California.

Assemblymember Paul Koretz, Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee rose in opposition to ratification of the compact because of the lack of a card checks—a procedure whereby labor unions can organize the workers.

Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, who has supported other gaming pacts with tribes in the past also spoke in opposition. He said he believes a compromise can be worked out and ready for approval when the legislature reconvenes in January.

Republicans spoke in favor of the agreement, the revenue the state would receive, citing tribal sovereignty and touting the work environment and benefits paid to workers by the tribe.

Representatives of labor waited outside the railing leading to the Assembly and were heartened by the vote.

On Friday the California Progress Report published an article “Right to Work Colonies” in California Tribal Casino Pacts to be Voted On Monday in Assembly. It was written by a worker, Rafael Espita, who worked on the Morongo Indian reservation and detailed problems he had while employed there. He testified last week before the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee which was packed with opponents of the Agua Caliente pact.

We also wrote earlier of the way that the Agua Caliente tribe’s compact, just announced earlier this month by the Governor’s office, was making progress while that of the Big Lagoon tribe and another tribe to locate a casino in Barstow had languished. We pointed out that the Agua Caliente tribe had made campaign contributions in excess of $17 million whereas the Big Lagoon tribe, much poorer but being responsible in not developing a casino on environmentally sensitive property in Humboldt County on the North Coast, had not played in this manner in the pay to play arena in Sacramento.

This is a courageous and principled move on the part of Democrats in the Assembly and a moment to be proud of their position. Hopefully when the legislature reconvenes, they will be able to craft a win-win situation for workers and the environment.

Posted on August 28, 2006

Comments

It was very encouraging to see the Assembly refuse to ratify this terrible deal!
It is my understanding that the sponsors will try to resurrect the compact again after they write some more checks and twist some arms.
Ed Chavez, Joe Baca, Jr., and Juan Vargas voted with 28 Republicans in favor. San Diego Republican Jay La Suer voted with 27 Democrats against. 18 Dems and two Republicans did not vote.

Posted by: Dana Wise at August 28, 2006 10:31 PM

I have to agree with Mr Wise and the author of this article...I was employed at an Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs and the working conditions are dismal at best. There are no workers rights on Indian Land (OSHA, NLRB, etc.) which everyday workers at any California workplace can rely on.

When a group recieves a monopoly to make $300M/YR you would think that they would not burden the taxpayers by inticing workers to go on health care provided by Healthy Families (state welfare). But guess what? How much is enough?

Cheers to the assembly members for holding the line for the rank and file. It's moments like these that really make me proud to say I American! The true war on our way of life is being fought right in our own backyard.

Posted by: Nicholas Hord at August 30, 2006 01:02 AM

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