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California Slot Machine Bill Put on Hold15 August 2002CALIFORNIA – As reported by the (California) Desert Sun: "The sponsor of a bill to use slot machine proceeds to help local governments defray the cost of Indian gaming has given up on the plan this year. "Tribal and non-Indian leaders from Coachella to Banning had supported the bill by Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta. The bill would have prevented a special distribution fund created by the tribal/state gaming compact from being swallowed up by the state's general fund. "Local support was not enough to lift the plan above the gambling politics that weighed it down during the final weeks of the legislative session. Battin said he plans to reintroduce a similar bill in the next session. "…The bill, SB1549, called for formation of an Indian Gaming Improvement Commission to watch over the special distribution fund and dole out the proceeds, `for those requests that will benefit the most residents of communities impacted by tribal gaming.' "…Battin, tribal and community leaders feared the fund, which could eventually grow as large as $80 million, would be carved up in Sacramento for purposes unrelated to Indian gaming…" |