Tribes’ compacts survive legislative maneuvers

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Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 11:37 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO -- Seventeen Indian tribes, including three in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, cleared a key legislative hurdle Wednesday in their bid for approval of gambling operations.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of Palm Springs, the Twenty-nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of Coachella and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians of Banning were among the tribes whose compacts easily survived a procedural move to kill their gambling agreements, known as compacts, with the state.

Under a law passed last year, the compacts are ratified unless they are rejected by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly and Senate within 30 days of when they are submitted by the governor to the Legislature.

Assemblyman Bruce Thompson, R-Fallbrook, an opponent of all gambling, offered a motion to reject the compacts. It received only three votes, while 67 lawmakers opposed it.