News Flash

Examples of Indian Gaming Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between cities/counties and Indian tribal governments in California are now posted here Indian MOUs. These MOUs are examples of ratified relationships between cities/counties and Indian tribal governments and the agreements that they have established to meet community needs.

News Flash

From League of California Cities Executive Director Chris McKenzie:
Governor Issues Key Indian Gaming Proclamation
Opposes Future Urban Casinos and Insists on Local Government and Community Support Outside Urbanized Areas

On May 18, 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a new proclamation, laying out the limited conditions under which he will consider negotiating future Indian gaming compacts. The proclamation gives local governments and local voters a major say in the approval of new casinos outside of urban area. The proclamation clearly states his opposition to newly acquired "trust" lands within an "urbanized area". The term "urbanized area" is defined to have the same meaning as in CEQA, covering the following California cities (see list). While stating he will continue to support legislative ratification and federal approval of each compact or amended compact his administration has negotiated (including one he approved last year in the City of San Pablo which has not yet been ratified by the legislature), the Governor said all future negotiations would follow these guidelines:

See Legislative Updates page for the League's statement and to view the Governor's Indian Gaming proclamation.

Background

Historically the State of California has restricted Indian gaming to rural areas. However, in August 2003, U.S. District Judge David Levi ruled that the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians could proceed with the acquisition of Casino San Pablo. This decision removed one of the major obstacles to urban Indian gaming in California. This is evidenced by two additional Bay Area proposals for casinos near Rohnert Park and North Richmond. Recent newspaper headlines demonstrate that Indian gaming has quickly become a significant political, socio-economic, and land use issue in urban areas of the state.

Impact on Local Government

Urban localities must contend with the fiscal, public health and safety, infrastructure, environmental and land use impacts associated with Indian gaming.

In early 2003, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) developed a set of policies to address perceived problems with the current Indian/State Compacts (all Indian tribes must enter into a Compact with the State prior to opening a casino). Perceived problems included inadequate attention to the impacts of Indian gaming facilities on local governments or to allowances for enforceable means to mitigate these impacts. CSAC recommended that these policies to be considered when the State enters into casino negotiations with Indian tribes. (The full policy statement is located on the CSAC Indian Gaming Policy page).

ABAG's Regional Planning Committee Endorses CSAC Policies on Indian Gaming

ABAG's Regional Planning Committee (RPC) has served as a Bay Area forum for discussion of Indian Gaming issues and their impact on local government. On March 4, 2004, the RPC endorsed CSAC's policies to protect local government interests, related to Indian gaming.