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Washington Tribes Contribute to Fight Against Slot Initiative

WASHINGTON STATE – As reported by the Seattle Times: "A coalition of state Indian tribes has added $500,000 to the campaign against Initiative 892, a proposal that would allow electronic slot machines in nontribal casinos and likely threaten a prime source of tribal income.

"The contribution, made to the No On I-892 campaign last week by the Campaign for Tribal Self Reliance, indicates that the tribes intend to try to match, if not outdo, the fund-raising power of the nontribal gaming business, which through the end of June has put nearly $464,000 into the initiative campaign.

"Though the organized opposition to I-892 also includes representatives of law enforcement, the Christian Coalition and those concerned about gambling addiction, the campaign is expected to be funded almost entirely by the tribes.

"…The $500,000 contribution from the tribal coalition comes atop more than $97,000 already donated by the Muckleshoot tribe, which has been paying for ads, polling and mailings.

"A multimillion-dollar campaign is expected leading up to the Nov. 2 election, featuring messages about morality on one side and talk of taxpayer relief on the other. I-892 calls for taxing the proceeds from the new, nontribal electronic slot machines and using the money to lower state property taxes…"

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