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Smart Voter
State of California February 5, 2008 Election
Proposition 97
Amendment to Indian Gaming Compact
State of California

Referendum - Majority Approval Required

Pass: 4,621,142 / 55.7% Yes votes ...... 3,676,646 / 44.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Results as of Mar 3 2:23pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (23109/23109)
Information shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Yes/No Meaning | Official Information | Arguments | Full Text
Summary Prepared by the State Attorney General:
A "Yes" vote approves and a "No" vote rejects, a law that:

  • Ratifies amendment to existing gaming compact between the state and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; amendment would permit tribe to operate 3,000 additional slot machines.
  • Omits certain projects from scope of California Environmental Quality Act; amendment provides for Tribal Environmental Impact Report and intergovernmental procedure to address environmental impact;
  • Revenue paid by tribe to be deposited into General Fund; tribe would make $23,400,000 annual payment and pay percentage of revenue generated from the additional slot machines to the state.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:
  • Net increase in annual state revenues probably in the tens of millions of dollars, growing over time through 2030.
  • For local governments in Riverside County, potential net increase of revenues due to economic growth and potential increased payments from the tribe to offset higher costs.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote on this measure means:
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians--a tribe that owns two casinos in Riverside County with about 2,000 slot machines--could operate up to 5,000 slot machines. The tribe would make increased payments to the state annually through 2030.

A NO vote on this measure means:
The Agua Caliente tribe would be able to continue operating its existing casinos, but would not be able to significantly expand its casino operations. The tribe's current payments to the state would not be affected.

Official Sources of Information
Arguments Submitted to the Secretary of State

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition 97:
YES on 94, 95, 96, 97 preserves four tribal gaming agreements and protects hundreds of millions of dollars each year they will provide to our state. The agreements increase the percentage of revenues tribes pay to the state, mandate strict new environmental protections, and share revenues with non-gaming tribes.

Full Text of Argument In Favor, Rebuttal

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition 97:
Part of Sacramento political deal for 4 wealthy, powerful tribes. Bad deal for California. Huge casino gambling expansion. Could economically devastate other tribes. Lacks protections for workers, environment. Loophole language lets tribes manipulate revenue and underpay state. Revenue claims wildly exaggerated. Schools not guaranteed 1¢. NO--94, 95, 96, 97.

Full Text of Argument Against, Rebuttal

Contact FOR Proposition 97:
Coalition to Protect California's Budget and Economy
(800) 827-1267
info@YESforCalifornia.com
http://www.YESforCalifornia.com

Contact AGAINST Proposition 97:
Californians Against Unfair Deals--No on 94, 95, 96, 97, A coalition of tribes, educators, taxpayers, public safety officials, labor, seniors, environmentalists.
(310) 996-2676
http://www.NoUnfairDeals.com

  No Spin Information

League of Women Voters

Other Nonpartisan Sources
  • Proposition 94-97 - includes background, pros&cons, voter info, key links and more from the Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley
Events

Video Voter Minutes

KQED (SF Public Radio) KPCC 89.3 (Southern CA Public Radio) League of Women Voters Video of Pros & Cons Official Information

Governor

Secretary of State Campaign Finance Data

California Voter Foundation

Secretary of State
  • Cal-Access - how much money is being raised and spent on Prop 97
News and Analysis

Google News Search

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Full Text of Proposition 97
See full text of Proposition 97 (from the Secretary of State)

From the Governor's office, see also:


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Created: March 21, 2008 14:56 PDT
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