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Business groups support Morongo compact

RIVERSIDE, California – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Business leaders and organizations in the communities that neighbor the Morongo Band of Mission Indians are announcing their endorsement of the tribe's amended compact ratified last week by the California State Senate and now awaits State Assembly approval.

The Economic Council of Pass Area Communities (ECOPAC) whose members include hundreds of commercial employers; the communities of Banning, Beaumont, Cabazon, Calimesa, Yucaipa, Cherry Valley and Oak Glen; the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino as well as the Riverside Workforce Development Center and the San Bernardino Economic and Community Development Office, has endorsed the Morongo compact.

Morongo's compact was also endorsed in separate actions by the chambers of commerce of Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon, the Small Business Action Committee and the Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"California is facing a very serious budget deficit and there is no question that the tribal compacts can help solve the state's fiscal crisis," said Don Larkin, ECOPAC Chairman. "Economic experts forecast state tax revenues falling $1.3 billion below expectations. The legislature needs to put politics aside and support a real solution."

Under the terms of the amended compacts by five tribes -- Sycuan, Agua, Caliente, Morongo, Pechanga and San Manuel -- will contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the state's general fund in exchange for increasing their operations at a handful of casinos.

"This is substantial, badly needed revenue. The state can use it to improve education and provide healthcare for those who need it most," said Erlan Gonzalez, president of the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Both Banning Chamber of Commerce executive director Jack Holden and Cabazon Chamber of Commerce executive director Bill Landon said their groups were "urging state Assembly representatives to support prompt ratification of the compacts."

"Every day the legislature delays means a million dollar loss to all of us," said Landon.

"Supporting these compacts only makes good economic sense. Morongo is a major force in the region's economic well-being," said Beaumont Chamber executive director Joan Taylor.

In a statement last week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called on the Assembly to ratify the compacts. "These compacts are good for the state, the tribes and the local communities," he said.

This week, Together California, a bipartisan coalition formed to support the passage of Assembly Bill 266 (Calderon) and Senate Bill 174 (Ducheny), launched a statewide television ad campaign to highlight the benefits of the updated compacts negotiated between Governor Schwarzenegger, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and four other California Indian tribes last year.

The advertising campaign launch follows on the heels of last week's success in the state legislature. The coalition's new television ads are designed to highlight the benefits of, and tremendous need for, the Morongo and other tribal compacts.

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