(SACRAMENTO, CA) Today, the Legislature passed compact agreements to expand tribal gaming operations of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.  A compact was also approved for the Yurok Tribe of the Yurok Reservation.

The following is a statement from Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, on the passage of the expansionary compacts.

The Governor negotiated a bad deal for California when crafting these compacts.  But the Assembly brokered agreements with nearly all of the tribes to make sure that the Governor’s failure didn’t become California’s problem.

By themselves, the compacts fail to allow the state to verify that it receives the promised revenue from the tribes.  They fail to address a federal court decision leaving most casino operations unregulated by federal or state government.  They fail to include basic labor protections for casino workers.

 The Assembly-brokered agreements resolve most of these concerns.  They give the state enforcement authority over the casinos until a federal solution is reached and the ability to collect child and spousal support orders levied against casino employees.  They also require a worker’s compensation system for casino employees and expand problem gambling programs.

 Four tribes and the Governor agreed just yesterday to these terms and signed memorandums of agreement which the legislature memorialized in passing a bill of its own on the topic.  It’s fair and appropriate that only these compacts were ratified.  It’s also encouraging to note that all four tribes have agreed to allow their workers to unionize if the workers choose to do so.