California Indian Tribes Reach Agreements with Governor’s Office

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CaliforniaSeveral agreements have been signed with Indian tribes in the state of California, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, in regards to gaming and other issues. Late last week it was announced that a total of 10 tribal casino agreements have been negotiated by the office of Governor Jerry Brown within the state, as lawmakers tried to finish up their work for the year.

The most recent agreement involves the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the owner of the Cache Creek Casino located in the Brooks area. The agreement is currently being reviewed by supervisors and administrators of Yolo County. With the new compact, the Cache Creek Casino Resort will following similar changes that have taken place in recent years within the state. Less money will be provided to the general fund of the state with more money going towards the tribe, local government and other groups.

Within the agreement between the Wintun Nation and the state, the tribe will be paying $15 million each year to the state. This amount will be considered a revenue contribution. $9 million the $15 million amount will be credited if the tribe makes payments to cities, Yolo County or other jurisdictions that are local or to entities that will use the money to fund services, work on economic development or mitigate the effects of gaming.

The tribe has agreed to only operate 3,500 slot machines maximum, with the casino currently only operating just over 2,000. Any new gaming related projects within the tribe will be subject to public comment and environmental review in basically the same manner as previously agreed in the existing Tribal-State Compact.

The Governor’s office announced the signing of this contract agreement along with agreements with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Jamul Indian Village and the Yurok Tribe.

A statement from the Governor’s office revealed that the regulatory provisions reflect the professionalism of the tribal regulators as well as their constructive relationship with the regulators of state gaming. With the new compacts, the government-to-government relations are strengthened on a local level by providing incentives for tribal funding to go towards local jurisdictions such as emergency medical services, fire, law enforcement, infrastructure improvements, education, public transit and more.

The Governor also stated that the agreements will promote tribal investments that will provide a mutual benefit to the tribe as well as the local community. The investments can include such options a water conservation projects, recycling projects, renewable energy, health care facilities and non-gaming related economic development.

With the agreements within the Pechanga and the Yocha De, a new option has been created titled the California Native American Education and Scholarship Fund. With this fund, Native American youth from tribes without substantial gaming revenues will have the financial support to pursue an education.

According to the Governor, the gaming compacts will also provide revenues to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. This fund works by distributing gaming revenues to tribes with limited gaming or nongaming to benefit their economy.

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