PE: Prop. 70 spurs rift in GOP

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Prop. 70 spurs rift in GOP

GAMING: The governor says tribal donations may be swaying lawmakers.

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

JIM MILLER and MICHELLE DeARMOND / The Press-Enterprise


A spokesman for Gov. Schwarzenegger said Tuesday that the governor is concerned that there could be a link between some lawmakers' decision to support a tribal gaming initiative and their taking money from gaming tribes.

"What the governor is indicating is that he has a concern that in this instance there is a specific nexus that may exist and he's uncomfortable with that," communications director Rob Stutzman said.

Stutzman's remarks followed coverage of a closed-door speech the governor delivered Saturday in Indian Wells during a gathering of Republican legislators and donors. The governor, according to people at the event, criticized some GOP lawmakers for supporting Prop. 70, a measure sponsored by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians near Palm Springs that would expand gaming on reservations.

Schwarzenegger is annoyed that some Republican lawmakers are undermining his effort to defeat Prop. 70 and another gambling initiative, Prop. 68, Stutzman said. The governor was particularly irked when, at the recent Republican National Convention in New York, Agua Caliente souvenir bags for California delegates included "Yes on Prop. 70" T-shirts and pro-Prop. 70 literature.

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