City of Loma Linda against Unfair Gaming Deals

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City of Loma Linda Opposes Unfair Gambling Deals as councilmembers vote to take a standWednesday, December 12th, 2007

Two Loma Linda council members Tuesday night, admitting little in-depth knowledge of the issue, argued that there just wasn’t any reason to take a side, any side, in the referendum battle over the Unfair Big 4 Gambling Deals. One abstained and the other voted “No” on a resolution to oppose Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.

But, the mayor of this picturesque town know mainly for its world-famous medical center, Robert Christman, felt otherwise, Mayor Christman laid out a compelling case for rejecting what are sweetheart deals for the four rich and powerful tribes, but bad deals for California taxpayers, workers and other tribes.
Christman pointed out that the deals represent one of the largest expansions of gambling in U.S. history. The mayor also spoke against the approach of deal supporters who want to talk about nothing but money, while ignoring serious questions the deals raise about worker benefits, environmental protection and state finances. OP: And the tribes treatment of their own members: denial of civil rights, voting rights, elder care.

And Mayor Christman is absolutely correct. The Big 4 revenue claims are wildly exaggerated. Even the state’s independent, non-partisan Legislative Analyst says their figures are unrealistic. These deals are much more than some check written to the State of California – a check the non-partisan legislative analyst says will be significantly smaller than the one you’re hearing about in the Big 4 TV ads.