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Casino tribes, unions bet big on California campaigns

SACRAMENTO, California -- As reported by the California Press Enterprise: "From multimillion-dollar TV ad buys to concert tickets and campaign cash, wealthy gaming tribes, labor unions and others are pressing their case as Sacramento gears up for a fight over the tribes' bids for more slot machines.

"The stakes are so high -- 19,500 slot machines and billions of dollars hang in the balance -- that a lawmaker has accused one tribe of bullying legislators. And labor unions that oppose the deals are also on the offensive, last month distributing thousands of door hangers in the district of a lawmaker who supports the new slots.

"The state Senate already approved renegotiated gaming agreements between the state and four Inland tribes and one with a San Diego County tribe, but key Assembly Democrats oppose them.

"...Supporters say the pacts will provide thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue-sharing payments for the state general fund. But critics contend that the compacts lack adequate protections for casino workers trying to unionize. They also say the deals fail to ensure independent audits of slot machine revenue.

"Also getting attention in recent days is an intensive public-relations campaign by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The tribe is running millions of dollars worth of TV ads, calling voters in some lawmakers' districts and hiring people to knock on residents' doors.

"...Other tribes have tried different methods, such as treating key lawmakers or their staff members to dinner, hotel stays and concerts, recent lobbying reports show..."

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