Proposition 48: Tribes Trying To Block Casino In Madera County Off Designated Reservation
/ CBS Sacramento
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — An ugly battle is brewing over a multibillion dollar industry that will culminate with a spot on the November ballot.
Proposition 48 would pave the way for the state's newest tribal casino. The casino has already gotten the green light from local, state and federal governments, but there is pushback. Things got interesting when opponents gathered enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot.
Tribal casinos like the one at Thunder Valley in Lincoln bring in big bucks. But the one the North Fork Rancheria Mono Indians want to build on a stretch of land in Madera County right off of Highway 99 is sparking a big debate.
A tribal spokesperson claims the campaign is money-driven.
The opposition disputes that claim.
"This is basically Las Vegas coming to California and wanting to establish gaming wherever it can," Cheryl Schmit said.
The group Stand Up For California makes that claim, because the proposed casino would be on land purchased by the tribe 40 miles from its designated reservation.
"This is reservation shopping," she said. "When you have an established reservation and you go looking for a more lucrative location in a more urban metropolitan area closer to densely populated areas."
"This land of the North Fork tribe—305 acres—is indian land, as approved by the federal government," said rancheria spokesman Gary Gilbert.
The group first submitted its request to get the land nearly a decade ago. After the feds signed off, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the compact in 2013.
But before construction could begin, fierce opposition began to swirl from fellow indian tribes.
"The funding is coming from Table Mountain Rancheria, the Chukchansi Tribe," Schmit said.
Also in on the opposition is the United Auburn Indian Community, which operates Thunder Valley. Those tribal nations, together with a New York-based finance company, have raised millions to block the Madera County casino.
"It's too bad that many of these tribes have used the process and have obtained economic prosperity, and now are pulling up the ladder behind them for other Native Americans," Gilbert said.
But opponents are concerned the casino will open the floodgates for more tribal casinos.
"It will set a precedent where this governor, or future governors and legislators, will approve additional off reservation casinos," Schmit said.
The tribe denies this, and says it will instead offer an economic boost for the area.
According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, the state will get roughly $1.5 million annually, while local governments near the casino will take in $8.5 million.
And speaking of money, funds in support of the casino have raised about $400,000, as opposed to the $6.5 million of their opponents.
The vote does nothing to change the power of the governor to approve these types of deals, and simply would block the one casino.
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