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Schwarzenegger, Tribes Move Closer to Deal

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Pasadena Star-News: "Negotiators for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and eight Native- American tribes have moved forward rapidly on a long-term deal that would expand casino gambling operations while dramatically increasing payments to the state, sources said Tuesday.

"The sources said a deal could be reached as early as April or May that would secure $500 million from the tribes for next year's deficit-ridden budget and 15 percent of gaming revenues annually for future budgets.

"Schwarzenegger's 2004-05 spending plan projects an infusion of $500 million from California's gaming tribes to help reduce a $14 billion deficit, and tribal gaming insiders and other sources said the administration could achieve that goal and more before mid-May, when the governor's revised budget proposal called the 'May revise' is due.

"…'Negotiations are going well. They're proceeding in a constructive, sleeves-rolled-up atmosphere, focusing on the issues most important to the governor and the tribes. That includes the number of slot machines, market conditions and revenue payments,' said Sacramento attorney Howard Dickstein, who represents some of the tribes negotiating with the administration…"

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