Davis wields pen to help Indian tribes

Lisa Leff

Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 | 9:26 a.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Wielding the influence he still has in the waning days of his administration, Gov. Gray Davis signed four bills Sunday broadening the reach of Indian casinos in California.

Two of the measures ratified agreements the Davis administration had already negotiated this summer with Indian tribes that want to open new casinos and slot machine operations in Southern California.

One, the Torres-Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians of Thermal, plans to install 350 slot machines at an Imperial County truck stop and another 1,650 slots at a casino the tribe wants to build on up to 640 acres in Riverside County.

The other bill allows two Indian tribes in San Diego County -- the La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians and the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Mission Indians -- to operate up to 350 slot machines apiece.

"The signing of these laws is the final hurdle in helping these tribes establish successful long-desired economic development projects on their reservations," Davis said in a statement.

Facing a midnight deadline for approving or vetoing more than 250 pieces of legislation that were on his desk this weekend, Davis also signed Sunday a bill authorizing $25 million in local government aid "to mitigate impacts from tribal casinos."

In addition, he inked a measure extending by three years, until Jan. 1, 2010, an existing moratorium barring the construction and licensing of gambling facilities not operated by Indian tribes.

The growing influence of Indian gaming in California became a significant issue in the Oct. 7 recall election, where tribes enriched by casino profits emerged as the most generous campaign contributors.

The top Democratic candidate, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, was put on the defensive for his handling of millions of dollars in contributions from tribes, criticism that played a role in sinking his aspirations for higher office.

California currently has 54 Indian-owned casinos, and including the three tribes who had their agreements ratified Sunday, another 10 tribes are authorized to establish new ones.