As reported by: Sign On San Diego
A threatened ballot fight over a handful of big new Indian gambling agreements could turn into a war between wealthy tribes.

At least two tribes, including Pala of San Diego County, are considering joining organized labor and horse racetracks to help bankroll ballot measures seeking to overturn the recently approved compacts.

In addition to bad blood between some tribes, there are cold competitive considerations - and billions of dollars - at stake. The new deals would run 23 more years for Sycuan of El Cajon, Pechanga of Temecula and two other big gaming tribes.

No ballot measure has been submitted, but a private poll done for tribes that was released yesterday suggests the compacts could be in trouble. Two other polls - one public, one private - conducted earlier this year reached the same conclusion.

“The difficulty these four tribes would have trying to defend against a referendum is it's four tribes and they're extremely wealthy,” said veteran political strategist Garry South. “They are the biggest political givers in California and to try to engender sympathy for them and their position would be a real challenge.”
South, a Democratic consultant, works for a tribal group known as the California Tribal Business Alliance. The group includes Pala, Pauma and Viejas of San Diego County, as well as a prominent Northern California tribe, United Auburn. All four negotiated new compacts with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004.


Article By: Sign On San Diego