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California Court to Decide Tribal Casino Donation Rules

CALIFORNIA – As reported by San Francisco KTVU: "The California Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to decide whether California's tribes, some of the state's biggest political donors, are bound by campaign-finance disclosure rules.

"Without comment, the seven justices unanimously agreed to review an appeals court's March decision that said tribes were subject to campaign-finance enforcement lawsuits from the Fair Political Practices Commission, the state agency that oversees elections.

"The case is significant for California's political culture. The Golden State's more than 100 tribes -- some flush with casino revenue -- are major campaign donors, having given $130 million to candidate and ballot measure campaigns since 1998.

"…A tribal attorney said the case extends beyond campaign finance rules, and opens the door to state regulations if California prevails.

"The tribes maintain they are sovereign governments immune from most state intervention, including lawsuits to enforce state laws.

"…Steven Russo, chief of the Fair Political Practices Commission's enforcement bureau, said the appeals court's decision, if it stands, means the tribes must comply with the disclosure rules…"

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