As reported by: The Associated Press
The Senate ratified four new tribal gambling agreements Friday, a day after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger withdrew a controversial proposal to build the state's first urban casino.

The 21-12 vote approved pacts Schwarzenegger signed this week to establish or expand gambling operations by the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians near Ukiah; the Buena Vista Band of Me Wuk Indians in Ione; Fort Mojave Indian Tribe located near Needles; and the Ewiiaapaayp band of Kumeyaay Indians of east San Diego County.

The four have agreed to give the state a portion of their profits estimated at about $45 million a year.

Schwarzenegger issued a statement saying the compacts "provide a fair contribution of gaming revenue to the state and guarantee important protections for patrons, workers, the environment and local communities, while respecting the tribes' sovereignty."

Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Northridge, was one of the few to speak against the compacts, specifically giving tribes exclusive agreements to operate casinos in specific areas of the state.

"Monopoly control of gambling is the shortest possible route to corruption," McClintock said. He mocked the argument that the exclusivity agreements are necessary to milk a larger share for the state.

"Well, duh," McClintock said. "Having the government protect you from competition is worth quite a lot."

The U.S. Department of Interior must still approve the compacts, which were ratified late Thursday by the Assembly.

Senate leader John Burton, D-San Francisco, carried the approval legislation a week after objecting to Schwarzenegger's agreement to let the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians operate up to 5,000 slot machines in San Pablo, along a major interstate in the heart of the San Francisco Bay area.

In response, the tribe first cut the number of slot machines in half, then delayed the approval request until the Legislature reconvenes in December. Casino backers plan to spend the interim lobbying lawmakers.