Does the house always win?
“When these are voted down,” he said last week from his Southern California office, “there’s nothing for the federal government to have ever reviewed. The bottom line is in the referendum process these deals are in a state of suspended animation.”
In the end, whether the compacts are repealed or not might still be a moot point. Not because of what could happen, but because of what already has.
Amidst the sound and fury of a $100 million proposition fight, another large California tribe, the San Manuel Band, managed to sign a compact last year identical to the ones on the Feb. 5 ballot. But that compact, for which there is no referendum, seems to have passed under the radar of groups clamoring about the bad precedent the four other compacts will set.
San Manuel is one of the state’s smallest tribes, but its casino, which already has 2,000 slot machines, is one of California’s busiest. Under the new deal, it will be able to add another 7,500 slot machines.
Why is no one crying foul? It might have something to do with the fact that the employees of San Manuel’s casino — unlike those of the four other tribes — are already represented by a union, the Communication Workers of America. And according to a September article from the Copley News Service, Unite HERE, the organization that has generously funded the “No” campaign, supports San Manuel’s compact. Which makes one wonder: Who are these compacts really unfair to — Californians or unions?
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on the cover
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Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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