1998 Indian Gaming Compacts. Referendum Statute.
	Rebuttal to Argument Against Proposition 29

Arguments on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.

You can't please everyone. But federal law requires California to try.

Proposition 29 is the best possible compromise: It ratifies the 1998 Tribal-State Compacts. These compacts were carefully negotiated, willingly signed by 11 Tribes, signed by the Governor and ratified by the Legislature. They were not "forced" on anyone.

The 1998 Compacts give local control over the location of casinos. They grant local governments power to mitigate traffic, public safety and environmental problems. They ban gambling by 18-year-olds, prohibit gambling on credit and provide for State audits.

By way of contrast, Proposition 1A will PERMANENTLY open the floodgates to massive gambling in California by authorizing 107 Tribes to operate TWO casinos each. The Legislative Analyst states that Proposition 1A will permit up to 113,000 slot machines in Indian casinos. Additionally, dozens more "landless" tribes are seeking to buy land and build casinos.

The 1998 compacts will expire after 20 years. The compacts embody Economic Development Zones, which will provide economic self-sufficiency while gradually reducing tribal dependence on gambling.

Proposition 29 strikes a good balance between Indian sovereignty and the public interests of all citizens. It's a reasonable, limited and fair approach to Indian gambling. It keeps faith with Proposition 5--self-sufficiency plus economic development for native Americans.

Proposition 29 will provide a better day for Indians, while protecting California from PERMANENTLY becoming another Las Vegas.

Proposition 29 serves the best interests of ALL Californians.

To protect California's future:

Vote NO on Proposition 1A and

Vote YES on Proposition 29

Harvey Chinn
California Director, National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion

Art Croney
Executive Director, Committee On Moral Concerns

Cheryl Schmit
Co-Chair, Stand Up For California

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