California Online Voter Guide

11th Edition, November 2004 General Election

Proposition 70: Tribal Gaming Compacts. Exclusive Gaming Rights. Contributions to State. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Failed

Official Summary

Requires Governor to offer renewable 99-year gaming compacts to federally recognized Indian tribes providing: exclusive gaming rights on Indian land; no limits on number of machines, facilities, types of games; contribution to state fund of portion of net tribal gaming income, based on prevailing state corporate tax rate; off-reservation environmental impact reports, public notice/comment opportunities before significant expansion or construction of gaming facilities. Contributions are in lieu of any other fees, taxes or levies. Contributions terminate if state permits non-tribal casino-type 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 state gaming revenues - potentially several hundreds of millions of dollars annually. These revenues could increase significantly over time. Full Text of Proposition (PDF)

Campaign Web Sites and Contact Information

Yes on Proposition 70
Citizens for a Fair Share of Indian Gaming Revenues
P.O. Box 1863, Sacramento, CA 95812
(760) 778-7413 or raper@indianfairshare.com
No on Proposition 70
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 70:

Richard M. Milanovich, Tribal Chairman, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

No on Proposition 70:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
Larry McCarthy, President, California Taxpayers’ Association
Sheriff Bill Kolender, First Vice President, California State Sheriffs’ Association
David W. Paulson, President, California District Attorneys Association
Jack Gribbon, California UNITE HERE!
John T. Kehoe, President, California Senior Action Network

Follow the Money

Supporters of Proposition 70 have raised approximately $26 million as of October 16, 2004. By far the two largest contributors as of October 29th are the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Other major contributors include the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and Taxpayers for Fair Share, a project of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Opponents of Proposition 70 have raised approximately $4 million as of October 16, 2004. Major contributors as of October 29th include Governor Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team, the TIP Educational Fund Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union in Washington D.C., and Station Casinos in Las Vegas, NV.

Detailed information about all contributors for and against Prop 70 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 70.

Other good nonpartisan resources include the League of Women Voters' Pro/Con Analysis and In-Depth Analysis of Proposition 70, the California Journal, the McGeorge School of Law California Initiative Review and the Easy Voter Guide.

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