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California Measure Backers Start Campaign

SACRAMENTO, California -- As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune: "...The state's big horse racetracks and card clubs will launch their big push today for an initiative that could give them slot machines with a $3 million-a-week television buy for a new advertisement that takes a swipe at Indian gambling.

"The tracks and card clubs also filed a lawsuit that challenges the first five tribal gambling agreements negotiated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"'We're determined to fight now,' said Rick Baedeker, president of Hollywood Park, which has a track and cardroom that could get slots under the Nov. 2 initiative, Proposition 68.

"...Bankrolled by five racetracks and 11 card clubs, Proposition 68 would require all Indian casinos to pay 25 percent of slot winnings to a fund earmarked for local law enforcement, fire protection and children's programs.

"If one tribe refuses, the tracks and card clubs would divide 30,000 slot machines and pay 33 percent of the revenue from the slots to the same local programs.

"...The lawsuit filed by the card clubs and racetracks contends that the ratification of five renegotiated compacts – which included agreements for the Pala, Pauma and Viejas tribes of San Diego County – violated a constitutional provision that bars granting "any franchise or special privilege, or . . . any vested right or interest" through urgency legislation..."

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