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Ericksen fears new tribal
gaming compact will lead
to expansion of gambling in Whatcom County
42nd District legislator wants citizens’ voices to
be heard through the Legislature, calls for passage of House Bill 1257
Rep. Doug Ericksen,
R-Ferndale, fears a new tribal gaming compact approved by the
governor and being considered by the State Gambling Commission will lead
to an expansion of gambling in all parts of the state, including Whatcom
County, and the Legislature is powerless to do anything about it.
The State Gambling Commission will present its Class III Spokane Tribe
Gaming Compact to the Washington State Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 23,
at 1:30 p.m. The presentation will take place in the John A. Cherberg
Building, Hearing Room 4.
The Spokane Tribe Gaming Compact would allow the Spokane Tribe of
Indians to install up to 4,700 cash-operated slot machines – the first
to be legalized in the state. It would also be the first to allow
no-limit betting on table games.
Ericksen is worried about the details hidden in the compact and
explained that when an expansion of gambling is approved by compact for
one tribe, other tribes in Washington can add identical expansion of
gambling provisions in their compacts. He also highlighted that the
governor is purposely making it more difficult for the state to block
tribal gambling on non-reservation lands.
“If the governor’s compact is approved, it will lead to an unprecedented
expansion of gambling throughout the state. This is despite the fact
voters have adamantly said they don’t want it,” said Ericksen. “I’m
hopeful the State Gambling Commission will be independent-minded and
fully weigh the social and economic ramifications of its decision.”
Initiative 892, which failed by a 61 to 39 percent state vote in
2004, would have allowed an expansion of gambling in licensed non-tribal
gambling establishments. The initiative received even less support in
Whatcom County, failing 67 to 33 percent.
Unfortunately, the State Gambling Commission presentation Tuesday is
solely for the purpose of informing House and Senate members of the
elements of the compact. The Legislature has no authority to amend any
provisions in the agreement – something Ericksen wants to change.
“The Legislature represents the views of people around the state. The
body deserves to be the voice of its constituencies – especially on
matters as serious as a massive expansion of gambling,” said Ericksen.
“Giving the governor this much closed-door authority deprives citizens
of a voice. Tribal gambling compacts should be considered by the
Legislature so they can be properly vetted and carefully considered by
147 elected officials.”
Ericksen supports House Bill 1257
– a measure that moves the authority to approve tribal gambling
compacts from the governor and the State Gambling Commission to the
Legislature.
The State Gambling Commission will vote to approve or reject the Spokane
Tribe Gaming Compact Feb. 8.
For more information on Ericksen visit:
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Ericksen/
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