California's Prop 54: Racial Privacy Initiative

[Dinner]

[SIZE=1] Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat
Native Americans are, especially those 350 odd registered members of the Viejas band of Kumeyaay Indians, who each, man, woman and child, get a ton of money from their casino and shopping center operations.

That used to be one of my favorite places to blow a Saturday night. They'd let you play bank meaning you'd front the money (minus anies) and they'd let you keep the money if the house won the hand of cards. Yes, I made a fair amount doing that. Plus you get free drinks and if you tip the waitresses they'll bring you Johnny Walker Black Label. Sure, it's not single malt but... it is free.

[MichaeltheGreat]

I'm discussing some work stuff with them, so I can't go into details, but they have some rather huge plans above and beyond what you see there now - which is pretty impressive as it is.

[Dinner]

As I recall even the injuns have to complete the environmental review process just like the rest of us. In Santa Barbara it took 15 years to approve the Chumash expansion of an existing casino operation but if you're talking about a power plant then I'd imagine it would take much, much longer.

[MichaeltheGreat]

It depends on their treaty status, and whether or not they have the authority to self-permit. Some things are subject to state and county special purpose agency approval (CWA and wastewater discharge permits, etc.), but they're generally CEQA exempt, and many can do their own discretionary permits.

There were a couple of large energy developers out there trying to do a semi-large peaking plant, but there's not enough gas.

What I'm talking about is actual Viejas projects, expanding even further on what they're currently doing out there. If they go ahead, it's going to be pretty major league, but they're just doing initial planning and haven't done any of the outside community relations work.

A lot of the obstacles to California Indian gaming (which is the economic engine for all their other projects) were created by Davis and the governors office, who were heavily supported by Nevada casino interests.