LOOSEN THE DEATH GRIP

I read a lot about Indian casino issues around the country and one thing that seems to be common in all of the states is the fact that the state governments get a "death grip" on the funds collected. They are all very reluctant to disburse funds back to the communities that are actually impacted by Indian gaming.

California is a prime example of this. In the compacts that were negotiated by Gray Davis, but even more in the compacts negotiated by Governor Arnold, the state gets large amounts of money paid to it by the tribes. San Diego County, which has more Indian tribes than any other county in the union, also has more Indian gaming than any other county. Valley Center has more Indian gaming nearby than any community in the county. There is a compelling argument that Valley Center is more impacted by Indian gaming than any town in the United States. Yet California's government continues its death grip on funds that ought to go to help pay for strains to our infrastructure.

Our friends in the tribes that operate casinos in this area are very aware of this issue and they are very much on our side in trying to get this money released. But we need to do what we can to constantly pressure the state government to release these funds.