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Cowlitz pushes for negotiations

"The Cowlitz Tribal Council voted 17-3 Saturday to renew the offer made to the city in February 2006, including compensating La Center for up to $3 million annually for lost gambling taxes from its four nontribal cardrooms.

"City officials worry that if a big tribal casino is built along Interstate 5 two miles west of La Center, it will bankrupt the cardrooms and cost the city its largest taxpayers, employers and utility customers.

"La Center likely will reject the tribe's latest overture, if it even formally responds. The city council has repeatedly shunned negotiations and never gave the tribe an official answer to its February 2006 proposal, except to tell federal officials that it was insufficient for the 'virtual elimination' of La Center's tax base.

"Last year, La Center received $3.48 million from its 10 percent tax on the cardrooms' gambling receipts.

"...The proposal also says the tribe's compensation would be reduced if the city were to lower its 10 percent gambling tax, if Washington were to change state gambling law or if one or more of the cardrooms were to go out of business.

"...The tribe's offer to negotiate will remain for one year..."

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