Protect Our State Budget, Protect Taxpayers, and Protect Vital State Services By Voting Yes On Props 94, 95, 96 And 97

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Ron Cottingham
President
Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)

At a time when the political process seems more polarized than ever before, what issue has brought together Governor Schwarzenegger, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO, and California’s leading public safety organizations representing both labor and management, among many others? Schwarzenegger, O’Connell, CWA, and dozens of additional public safety, taxpayer, education, labor, local government, business, Indian Tribes and community groups all support a Yes vote on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.

California is facing a significant budget crisis that threatens virtually all programs and services including public safety, education, healthcare, transportation and local services. Props 94-97, the Indian Gaming Revenue Agreements, will provide California with hundreds of millions of dollars per year in new revenues to help balance the budget and fund these vital services.

The new Indian Gaming Revenue Agreements, which were negotiated by the Governor, ratified by bi-partisan majorities of the Legislature and deemed approved by the federal government, will allow the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians to add slot machines on their existing isolated tribal lands in Riverside and San Diego Counties. In return, the tribes will pay increased revenues – up to 25 % from these machines – to the state to support services in communities statewide.

In all, these agreements will provide hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenues each year – more than $9 billion in the years ahead to help pay for public safety, education and other services. A Yes vote on Props 94 through 97 preserves these agreements and protects the new revenues they provide.

While these agreements won’t solve our budget problems, they provide vitally needed help.