Biggest Increase in Gambling in U.S. History Quickly Passed by California Senate With Little Debate

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The California State Senate, yesterday, with scant debate, and without the bills having received a proper hearing before a committee, passed six bills ratifying 5 compacts that would allow the largest (22,500 slot machine) expansion in California's history if not that of the nation at tribal casinos.

This is not a small matter. Two days ago, we featured an article by one of the opponents to these compacts, with the possible exception of the 99 slot machines granted to the Yurok Tribe, one of California's poorest. In that article, Cheryl Smith of Stand Up for California called this "the largest expansion of gambling in U.S. history." She said that: "Despite the fact that it’s a $60 billion package locked-in for 23 years, most Californians still know nothing about it."

There are serious issues involved in these compacts that have been rushed through the Senate. The involve the rights of "50,000 workers to address living wages, health care and job security for the next 23 years," according to Jack Gribbon, who represents the labor union organizing workers in the casino. Basic issues for those who come to work on these reservations such as receiving workers' compensation for injuries they sustain, the ability of anyone who has a dispute with the casinos or any other matter that arises during their visit to have fair redress, and even for the state to know what the revenues are and the amounts that should be paid to us, have not been addressed.

Yet the Senate passed most of the compacts with 22 to 24 votes and between 5 and 11 Democratic votes against these mega deals, with the exception of SB 106, a 99 slot machine pact which passed unanimously 32-0.