California Online Voter Guide

11th Edition, November 2004 General Election

Proposition 68: Tribal Gaming Compact Renegotiation. Non-Tribal Commercial Gambling Expansion. Revenues, Tax Exemptions. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Failed

Official Summary

Authorizes Governor to renegotiate tribal-state compacts to require that tribes: Pay 25% of slot machine/gaming device revenues to government fund; comply with multiple state laws; accept state court jurisdiction. Unless all compacted tribes accept terms within 90 days, or if terms determined unlawful, authorizes 16 specified non-tribal racetracks and gambling establishments to operate 30,000 slot machines/gaming devices, paying 33% of revenues to fund public safety, regulatory, social programs. Provides exemption from future state/local tax increases. Limits new tribal gaming.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would have the following major fiscal effect: Increased local government revenues of likely over $1 billion annually from new gambling revenues. The revenues would be used primarily for additional firefighting, police, and child protective services. Full Text of Proposition (PDF)

Campaign Web Sites and Contact Information

Yes on Proposition 68
A Fair Share for California
601 South Glenoaks Blvd., Suite 211, Burbank, CA 91502
(916) 551-2538 or info@fairshareforcalifornia.org
Fax: (916) 444-0382
No on Proposition 68
Stop the Deceptive Gambling Proposition
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 840, Los Angeles, CA 90064
(800) 420-8202 or info@deceptivegamblingprop.com
No on Proposition 68
Governor Schwarzenegger’s Committee for Fair Share Gaming Agreements
1415 L Street, Suite 1245, Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 440-1505 or info@no68and70.org

Who Signed the Ballot Arguments

Yes on Proposition 68:

Lee Baca, Sheriff, County of Los Angeles
Lou Blanas, Sheriff, County of Sacramento
Roy Burns, President, Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)

No on Proposition 68:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
Jeff Sedivee, President, California Firefighters’ Association
Wayne Quint, Jr., President, California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associates
Carla Nino, President, California State PTA
David W. Paulson, President, California District Attorneys Association
Mike Spence, President, California Taxpayers Protection Committee

Follow the Money

Supporters of Proposition 68 have raised approximately $28 million as of October 16, 2004. The two largest contributors as of October 29th are the Magna Entertainment Corp. in Arcadia, CA and Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. in Las Vegas, NV. Other major contributors include the Los Alamitos Race Course, Churchill Downs Inc./Hollywood Park Racetrack, Bay Meadows Main Track Investors, the California Commerce Club, Hawaiian Gardens Casino, and The Bicycle Casino.

Opponents of Proposition 68 have raised approximately $45 million as of October 16, 2004. Major contributors as of October 29th include the Pala Band of Mission Indians, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, and the United Auburn Indian Community, each of whom have given $9 million to defeat the measure. Other major contributors include the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Viejas Tribal Government, and Governor Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team.

Detailed information about all contributors for and against Prop 68 is available through Cal-Access, the Secretary of State's campaign finance website.

For More Information, CVF Recommends...

The California Secretary of State publishes the Official Voter Information Guide with both a Quick Summary and Detailed Information about Proposition 68.

Other good nonpartisan resources include the League of Women Voters' Pro/Con Analysis and In-Depth Analysis of Proposition 68, the California Journal, the McGeorge School of Law California Initiative Review and the Easy Voter Guide.

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