Casino advisory proposal rejected

<p>A resolution in the state legislature urging the governor and lawmakers to consider public sentiment before entering into casino gaming compacts with American Indian tribes has died under lobbying from interest groups.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Assemblyman Jared Huffman's nonbinding legislation sought to give a higher profile to advisory election votes on off-reservation, urban casinos such as one proposed near Rohnert Park by the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria.</p><p>But the measure got no support Tuesday at a hearing of the state Senate Government Organization committee in Sacramento, where a parade of casino backers including labor groups, a Rohnert Park public safety official and tribal officers contended that Sonoma County residents support a casino.</p><p>Huffman, a San Rafael Democrat, said it was ironic to see such opposition to a measure that would have emphasized the role of public opinion. His call for a courtesy motion was met with silence by the committee, which included Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.</p><p>"The fix was in," Huffman said. "The message we got was don't even go there. There are too many powerful interests involved."</p><p>Casino supporters said the lack of action was proof casinos are popular.</p><p>Greg Sarris, tribal chairman of the Graton Rancheria, would not be interviewed but issued a short written statement on the failure of Huffman's measure.</p><p>"The outcome indicates Assemblyman Huffman is alone in his viewpoint," Sarris wrote. "There is in fact great community support for this project and the benefits it will bring to the community, and clearly the Legislature believes likewise."</p><p>Rohnert Park Public Safety Director Brian Masterson, who spoke at the committee meeting, did not return calls Wednesday seeking comment.</p><p>Interim City Manager Dan Schwarz said he asked Masterson to appear before the committee to explain the city's relationship to the tribe.</p><p>Since the casino deal was announced in 2003, the tribe has donated $4.3 million to the city police special enforcement unit.</p><p>It also has donated at least $2.5 million to the Sonoma State University, which is located within 3 miles of the proposed casino site. The university used the donation to create an endowed chair of Native American studies and offered the position to Sarris, who was paid more than $477,000 over three years.</p><p>The tribe's casino proposal is being financed by Las Vegas-based Station Casino Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in July but is still pursuing the project.</p><p>Progress has been slowed by opponents of the casino, who sued the federal government to prevent the land from becoming a reservation. The case is still in court.</p><p>Critics contend the proposed gaming resort, with its 2,000 slot machines, 300-room hotel, convention center and theater, will use too much water and add to congestion on Highway 101.</p><p>Huffman said many people are concerned about it.</p><p>His resolution asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to live up to a 2005 promise to weigh public opposition before negotiating gaming compacts, which he is required to do under federal law.</p><p>Also, it asked the governor to refrain from agreements until tribal land was taken into trust.</p><p>Huffman's bill was nonbinding, so Schwarzenegger could have chosen to ignore it, Huffman said.</p><p>"It seems reasonable to me," Huffman said. "But certainly, the Graton tribe brought out all their guns to knock it down. Obviously, the idea of an advisory vote is very threatening to them."</p><p>He said he will meet with Sen. Roderick Wright, the committee chairman, to see if any part of the resolution could be acceptable.</p><p>Wright did not return a call Wednesday. A spokeswoman said he did not move the legislation because it had not first appeared in the Assembly.</p><p>"I'm not giving up," Huffman said.</p><p>Petaluma City Councilman Mike Healy, who spoke in support of Huffman at Tuesday's hearing, said he will ask the Board of Supervisors to place a casino advisory measure on the June primary ballot.</p><p>About a year ago, supervisors would not support such a vote, but Healy said changes in the political landscape might make it more popular today.</p><p>It would appear on the ballot during the gubernatorial primary, which promises a large turnout, he said.</p><p>"It would become an election issue," Healy said. "The new governor is the one who will have to negotiate that gaming compact."</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 762-7297 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.</p>