Battle over Gambling on California Indian Reservations

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In 1998, California voters overwhelmingly approved gambling casinos on Indian reservations. Two years later, they ratified contracts negotiated by former Governor Gray Davis with 61 Indian tribes. Now, the tribes want to expand and move into cities and suburbs. Governor Schwarzenegger wants the state to get more of the take of an industry worth $4 billion to $6 billion a year, so he-s trying to negotiate a new deal. Meantime, racetracks and card clubs want more of the action, and they all may end up appealing to voters on November-s ballot. Is gambling in California about to spin out of control? Warren Olney speaks with proponents and opponents of expanding Indian gaming, including a spokesman for Governor Schwarzenegger. Making News: Budget Shortfall Frees Non-Violent Inmates LA County Sheriff-s Chief Charles Jackson laments, -I spent 30 years arresting these people. Now I spend my time letting them go.- A new money-saving policy means that some 130 criminals are being released daily even though they-ve served as little as 10 percent of their sentences. Sheriff Lee Baca, who says he has no choice, regrets that a $1.3 billion loss in property taxes will severely impact law enforcement and residents of LA County.
In 1998, California voters overwhelmingly approved gambling casinos on Indian reservations. Two years later, they ratified contracts negotiated by former Governor Gray Davis with 61 Indian tribes. Now, the tribes want to expand and move into cities and suburbs. Governor Schwarzenegger wants the state to get more of the take of an industry worth $4 billion to $6 billion a year, so he-s trying to negotiate a new deal. Meantime, racetracks and card clubs want more of the action, and they all may end up appealing to voters on November-s ballot. Is gambling in California about to spin out of control? Warren Olney speaks with proponents and opponents of expanding Indian gaming, including a spokesman for Governor Schwarzenegger.
  • Making News: Budget Shortfall Frees Non-Violent Inmates
    LA County Sheriff-s Chief Charles Jackson laments, -I spent 30 years arresting these people. Now I spend my time letting them go.- A new money-saving policy means that some 130 criminals are being released daily even though they-ve served as little as 10 percent of their sentences. Sheriff Lee Baca, who says he has no choice, regrets that a $1.3 billion loss in property taxes will severely impact law enforcement and residents of LA County.

LA Times article about budget cuts, early releases

State Gaming Commission

National Indian Gaming Commission

Tribal State Gaming Compacts (Proposition 5, 1998)

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell's proposed amendment to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

Assemblyman Dymally's proposed bill regarding Tongva Reservation

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton