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Gambling Foes Critical of Hull in Casino Talks

"Critics said Thursday that Hull should leave the issue for her successor - the compacts begin expiring in 2003 when she leaves office. Some also criticize the terms she wants, including a proposal to require that a 7 percent share of the tribes' casino profits go to a `community benefit fund' doled out by an appointed panel of state and tribal representatives.

"…Hull's proposal for a profits split with the state was disclosed in documents released earlier this week by western Arizona's Colorado River Indian tribe. That tribe has balked at participating in talks aimed at producing a standard compact for all tribes.

"The documents state that other negotiation issues include length of new compacts, whether the Arizona Lottery will forego use of video lottery terminals, the extent of state regulation of casinos and their personnel, compulsive gambling services, consumer protections, limits on numbers of casinos and gambling devices, and whether tribes can add more machines by purchasing rights from other tribes.

"…Hull said Wednesday that her negotiation positions were part of the give-and-take with the tribes.

"…While some lawmakers criticized the proposed revenue split, one said it is a good idea but not in exchange for the state going along with an overall increase in gambling in Arizona.

"…While critical of some of Hull's negotiating positions, some legislators are second-guessing the Legislature's own decision to give the negotiating authority to the governor in the first place…"

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