Daily Breeze, Redding Record Searchlight, Vacaville Reporter Endorse Yes on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97

SACRAMENTO – The Torrance Daily Breeze, Redding Record Searchlight and Vacaville Reporter have all endorsed a Yes vote on Propositions 94-97, the Indian Gaming Agreements.

The Daily Breeze editorial praises the fiscal benefits of the amended compacts contained in Propositions 94, 95, 96 & 97:

“…Analyses put annual revenues to the state at $400 million as 15 percent to 25 percent of casino profits go into state coffers…. Considering the size of the state’s deficit this year, it seems wise to establish this new funding source now.”

The Record Searchlight also emphasizes the benefits provided by the agreements, given the state’s current fiscal situation:

“Well, if you want to halt the closure of Ide Adobe State Park, lessen the need for new fire-protection fees and keep schools fully staffed, the new slot machines in Southern California would help. And that makes Propositions 94 through 97 a pretty good deal from the north state’s perspective.”

The Reporter adds:

“The Legislative Analyst estimates that the long-term net annual increase could be in ‘the low-to-mid-hundreds of millions of dollars’ through 2030, when the compacts expire….The added revenues won’t solve the state’s fiscal problems, but they would be a step in the right direction.”

The Daily Breeze notes the provisions in the amended compacts that benefit the surrounding communities, safeguard the environment, ensure fiscal oversight, and provide for revenue sharing with smaller tribes:

“The measures would also continue to keep casino gambling limited to relatively remote parts of Southern California and would likely lead to increased economic activities in areas surrounding the casinos….A revenue-sharing component would benefit tribes that don’t have casinos or have relatively small casino operations….Fiscal safeguards include annual casino audits by state regulators….The measures would also require enforceable contracts to offset environmental impacts of casino expansion while calling on tribes to fund needed increases in public services.”

The editorials can be read in their entirety here:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8039313
http://www.redding.com/news/2008/jan/21/entire-state-wins/
http://thereporter.com/editorials/ci_8043529

The Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, Ventura County Star, North County Times, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Riverside Press-Enterprise, Palm Springs Desert Sun, the Tracy Press, the Lodi News Sentinel and Black Voice News have also editorialized in favor of the Indian Gaming Agreements. 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.

For more information, please visit www.YESforCalifornia.com.

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