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Congressman Joins Opposition to Casino Plan

SAN PABLO, California – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Bay Area Congressman George Miller has pulled an about-face, joining overwhelming community opposition to a plan to convert Casino San Pablo into a huge Indian casino. Legislation authored by Miller in 2000, and covertly inserted into an omnibus bill late in the evening, allowed the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians to retroactively acquire the San Pablo property and place the land into Federal Trust.

In a letter to California Senate and Assembly leaders, Miller wrote that he was under the impression when he drafted the legislation that the tribe would simply use the existing card-room and enhance the casino.

Miller cautioned the Governor that he is not under any obligation to approve a casino of "any size." Miller also urged the legislature, which has final approval over the deal, to reject it. The letter goes on to say that this was once an appropriate proposal that has been "grossly distorted by those who have sought to use the casino to achieve their own goals."

"The traffic from this casino would further devastate our already clogged highways and local roads. Yesterday Congress passed the Highway Bill. Today, Congressman Miller recognized the most important way to alleviate congestion is not to add 34,000 cars a day to local roads with this Casino. Thank you Congressman Miller for listening to us!"

-- Andres Soto, co-Founder Richmond Progressive Alliance and co-Chair, East Bay Coalition Against Urban Casinos (StopUrbanCasinos.org)

"This casino was a bad idea to begin with. Every day I hear overwhelming opposition from the restaurants and small businesses that would be devastated by the Casino. We are thrilled that Congressman Miller stands with us."

-- Dean Marshall, small business marketing consultant and San Pablo community member and co-Chair, East Bay Coalition Against Urban Casinos (StopUrbanCasinos.org)

"It is a fitting way to end National Problem Gambling Week. Congressman Miller has shown remarkable leadership to prevent the estimated 10,000 new gambling addicts and 12,000 problem gamblers that the first urban casino in California would create."

-- Pastor Chuck Day, First Baptist Church, San Pablo

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