San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Endorse YES on 94, 95, 96 and 97

SACRAMENTO –The San Bernardino Sun and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin today endorsed a Yes vote on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97, saying that “the state will do better financially under the new compacts than it is doing under the current agreements reached in 1999,” and that voters “should vote ‘yes’ on all four propositions.”

In an editorial entitled “More money for state is a winner,” the Sun and Daily Bulletin discuss the merits of the initiatives:

“The tribes agreed to give the state 15 percent to 25 percent of the profits, which they estimate to be $400 million annually through 2030, when the compacts would expire…. Casinos have been a source of economic stimulation for areas surrounding their locations, and that will hold true of these expansions as well.”

The editorial notes that there is a comprehensive system of fiscal oversight and accountability that ensures the state will receive its fair share of revenue from the 2006 gaming agreements, and that the revenues will be shared with non-gaming and limited gaming tribes throughout the state:

“If the casinos are allowed to expand, their revenues will be subject to an outside audit. A share of the additional casino revenues will go to Indian tribes without casinos or with much smaller ones, and to programs for people with gambling problems.”

The editorial also commented on the motivations of the opponents of Propositions 94, 95, 96 & 97:

“Opponents - primarily horse-racing interests, tribes that operate competing casinos and a hotel workers' union that has failed to organize workers at the Indian casinos - are pouring money into the ‘no’ campaign.

“Voters…should come to the conclusion that the state will do better financially under the new compacts than it is doing under the current agreements reached in 1999, and should votes ‘yes’ on all four propositions.”

The editorials can be read in their entirety here:

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_8003106

http://www.sbsun.com/editorial/ci_8003302

The Riverside Press-Enterprise, Palm Springs Desert Sun, the Tracy Press, and Black Voice News have also editorialized in favor of the initiatives. These endorsements reflect the sentiments of a broad coalition of public safety, taxpayer, education, labor, local government, business, Indian Tribes and community groups who are supporting Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.

Media with additional inquiries about the Coalition to Protect California’s Budget & Economy can contact Roger Salazar at (916) 444-8897.