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Senator targeted for pro-tribal casino stance

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Contra Costa Times: United Here, a union that represents hotel, restaurant and needle-trade workers, has distributed 4,000 door-hangers in Contra Costa County targeting Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, and his pro-Indian-gaming stance.

"An unknown person also left one of the fliers on the door of Torlakson's Antioch home along with a largely illegible, unsigned note addressed to the senator's wife, Diana.

"The door-hanger refers to controversial gambling expansion bills scheduled for a floor vote today in the state Senate that would allow five Southern California tribes to triple the number of slot machines they can operate.

"Torlakson, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is sponsoring SB957, which would allow the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to increase slot machine operations in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage from 2,000 to 5,000.

"…Targeting Torlakson in his home district sets up an interesting clash between the veteran lawmaker and labor, a key source of political support in his 29-year career as a public official.

"But Torlakson stood by his support of Indian gaming expansion and rejected the flier's implication that he views the lottery and tribal casinos as school funding panaceas…"

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