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Gaming grants missing from California budget29 August 2007EUREKA, California -- As reported by the Eureka Times-Standard: "Fifth District Humboldt County Supervisor Jill Geist expressed concern Tuesday that Indian gaming grants -- designed to mitigate impacts on communities near or adjacent to Indian casinos -- didn't make it into the state budget. "The program, which distributes funds to communities, brings $170,000 to $190,000 to Humboldt County each year, Geist said, and was a target of a line-item veto by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "...Statewide, according to Maria Aliferis-Gjerde of Assemblywoman Patty Berg's office, the governor vetoed a total of $30 million for the grants. "According to the governor's statement, the reasoning was based on a recent Bureau of State Audits report noting concern about whether the funds were used for their intended purpose. Schwarzenegger further stated that he would support legislation to appropriate mitigation funds if the process is reformed. "...Blue Lake is one of several North Coast communities that has been successful in acquiring Indian gaming grants due to the Blue Lake Rancheria's casino, just west of the city limits. In 2006, the city received $100,000 for repairs to its wastewater treatment plant and a little over $48,000 for police department equipment. "...Smith noted that the gaming grants were among the few resources available for communities impacted by casinos..." |