Page 22 - August 2004 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
OCalifornia Nations Indian Gaming Association Endorses Proposition 70
n July 16th the California Nations Indian Gaming Association unanimously endorsed
Proposition 70, the November ballot initiative that would lift restrictions on Indian
gaming in return for 99-year agreements with gaming tribes paying the state of each tribe’s slots to 2000 machines. Also, in return for
California the equivalent of the prevailing corporate tax rate (currently 8.84%) on net gaming income. Meeting in Sacramento, the tribes took the action following a presentation by Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the primary sponsor of the proposition. Proposition 70, formerly known as “ e Indian Gaming Fair-Share Revenue Act of 2004” was launched months ago and will be on the November ballot. e trade association represents 64 California Indian tribes.
the $1 billion payment, the tribes are guaranteed the exclusive right to o er casino gambling in California. It was the governor’s plan to sign more new compacts with remaining gaming tribes, similar to these.
If Proposition 70 passes, the ve new compacts signed in June become invalid. If it is not voted in, gaming tribes will continue operating their casinos under the compacts approved in 2000.
egovernorhaspubliclyopposedbothProposition 70 and the card room and racetrack-backed Proposition 68,
e Gaming Revenue Act of 2004, that seeks to tax gaming tribes 25 percent and would allow cardroom and racetracks to operate slot machines in eleven card rooms, most in urban areas, and ve racetracks.
United Auburn Tribe
Donates $250,000 to Local
TCommunity
he United Auburn Indian Commu- nity, owners of Thunder Valley Casino, has earmarked almost $250,000 in their
Community Giving Program to include the Lighthouse Community Resource Center, South Placer Heritage Foundation and the Foothill Volunteer Center, all in Placer County.
e Lighthouse Community Resource Center provides health services, counseling and par- enting classes. e funds for the South Placer Heritage Foundation will help support the refurbishing of an existing structure into a meeting hall, performing arts and community center. e Foothill Volunteer Center can use the funds for its “Meals on Wheels” program and other volunteer services.
e tribe established its Community Giving Program in March, pledging $1 million annually to nonpro t groups in Placer County.
Last month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed new compacts with ve California gaming tribes, including three San Diego County tribes:
e Pala Band of Mission Indians, owners of Pala Casino Resort & Spa; the Pauma Band of Mission Indians, owners of Casino Pauma; the Viejas Band of Kumayaay Indians, owners of Viejas Casino;
San Diego EarthWorks Awards Viejas For
OEnvironmental Achievements
n May 12th San Diego EarthWorks, a non- pro t organization that annually recognizes businesses and organizations for their work
on behalf of a clean, healthy environment awarded the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians an EARTH award in the government category for two projects: eSpiritoftheLandenvironmentalconferenceand the Viejas’ tribe’s multi-million dollar river restoration and state-of-the-art water treatment facility. e Spirit of the Land conference was held in February of thisyearandbroughtanunprecedentednumberof diverse organizations and people together to promote stewardship of the environment in California.
the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, owners of the Cache Creek Casino Resort, and the United Auburn Indian Community, owners of Thunder Valley Casino, both near Sacramento. e new
compacts included payments to the state of a one- time $1 billion in 2004 and $150 – 200 million annually. In exchange, the ve tribes gained the right
Rita Coolidge Concert at
Pala Casino Resort Benefits
TBonsall Boys & Girls Club wo-time Grammy-award winner and famous Fallbrook resident, Rita Coolidge, held a July 17th concert at Pala Casino
Resort and Spa to bene t the construction of a new building for the Bonsall Boys and Girls Club. eBoysandGirlsClubwasopenedin 1962 as an independent organization, directed by community members of Fallbrook, Bonsall and Pala and supported by donations.
Ms Coolidge is known for her hits “All Time High”, and covers of Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do” and Boz Scaggs’ “We’re All Alone.” She also collaborated with her former husband, singer- songwriter-actor Kris Kristofferson. Ms Coolidge, who is of Cherokee heritage, was honored with a
“Lifetime of Musical Achievement” award at the 2002FirstAmericansintheArtsAwards.Shealso received the “Native American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement” in 2001.
for unlimited slot machines for their casinos on their current land. eir original 1999 compacts had capped
Page 22 August 2004
Southern California Tribes in the News