February 10, 2008

Chamber Championed Indian Gaming Propositions Boost Corona Economy

On February 5, 2008, California voters approved the Corona Chamber-supported Propositions 94 through 97. These propositions ratified Indian gaming agreements with four tribes that operate casinos within an hour’s drive of Corona. The four casinos impacted by the agreements ratified by votes are: Agua Caliente, Morongo, Pechanga, and Sycuan.

“It is important to know that the Indian casinos throughout our region play an important role in our economic vitality,” stated Cynthia Schneider, Chair of the Corona Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee. “Propositions 94-97 give our area Indian tribes the ability to create more jobs and also increase much needed tourism, a major source of revenue, throughout our region,” continued Schneider.

The agreements now require each tribe to pay higher percentages of their net gaming revenues (up to 25%) into the state’s General Fund. This agreement will provide the state general fund with more than $200 million the first year (with revenues increasing significantly in future years) and an estimated $9 billion over the next two decades. The agreement also benefits the tribes by allowing them to have additional slot machines at casinos on their existing tribal lands.

“Our state will get more than $9 billion over the next two decades without raising our taxes – providing vitally needed new funding for our schools, public safety and other services,” stated Bobby Spiegel, President/CEO of the Corona Chamber. “The agreements will also protect and create thousands of local jobs at the four tribes' casinos and provide tens of millions of dollars to help non-gaming tribes throughout California.

The Chamber also supported Propositions 91, 92, and 93 all of which failed to pass on February 5. Proposition 91 would have prevented the state legislature from raiding important transportation funding to offset state deficits. Proposition 92 would have indefinitely decreased community college tuition as well as stabilized community college funding each year. Finally, Proposition 93 would have reduced the total amount of time state legislators may serve from 14 years to 12 years giving them the flexibly to serve the total 12 years in either house of the state legislature.
 

January 18, 2008

Corona Chamber Positions on February 2008 Statewide Ballot Propositions

The Corona Chamber announces its positions on Propositions 91 - 97 that will appear on the February 5, 2008 statewide ballot.

Proposition 91: Transportation Funding
Corona Chamber Position: Support

Prohibits the use of funds that are earmarked for transportation to be used for anything else other than transportation related issues after July 2008.

Eliminates General Fund borrowing of specified transportation funds, except for cash-flow purposes (repayment required within 30 days of adoption of budget) which the current law allows borrowing for three years where Governor declares transfer would cause significant negative fiscal impact on governmental functions and Legislature enacts authorizing statute.

Deletes the state’s authority to suspend the transfer of gasoline sales tax revenue to Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) and limits the state’s ability to borrow these funds as well as Article XIX revenues for non-transportation uses.

Deletes the state’s authority to suspend the transfer of gasoline sales tax revenue to TIF and limits the state’s ability to borrow these funds as well as Article XIX revenues for non-transportation uses.

The measure would make state funding from these sources for highways and streets and roads, which serve as the main uses of these monies, more stable and predictable from year to year.

Proposition 92: Community Colleges
Corona Chamber Position: Support

Changes current minimum education funding requirement into two separate requirements: one for K–12 schools and one for the California Community Colleges (CCC).

Lowers community college education fees from $20 per unit to $15 per unit.

Significantly limits the state’s authority to increase fee levels in future years.

Formally establishes the community colleges in the State Constitution.

Increases the size of the community colleges’ state Board of Governors (BOG) and the its authority.

Proposition 93: Limits on Legislator's Terms in Office

Corona Chamber Position: Support

Reduces the total amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years.

Allows an individual to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both.

Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of any prior service in another house.

Propositions 94, 95, 96, 97: Indian Gaming Compacts
Corona Chamber Position on Each Proposition: Support

Governor Schwarzenegger negotiated new Indian gaming agreements (The Compacts) with four tribes; Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have casino facilities on remote reservation lands in Riverside and San Diego counties. The four propositions represent each of the negotiated new Indian gaming compacts.

Expands gaming machines at the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Casinos.

Tribes will pay higher percentages of their net gaming revenues (up to 25%) into the state General Fund.

The agreement will provide the state with more than $200 million the first year (with revenues increasing significantly in future years) and an estimated $9 billion over the next two decades.