Gov. K. okays casino off tribal land in Hood River.

[kaitykaity]

We could have had a baseball stadium with this
deal too. What a putz.

http://bend.com/news/ar_view.php?ar_id=22036

Gov. signs compact with Warm Springs Tribes
Creates jobs, educational funds, environmental protections
Bend.com news sources
Posted: Wednesday, April 6, 2005 11:23 AM

CASCADE LOCKS - Governor Ted Kulongoski today signed a renegotiated tribal-state compact with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. The compact includes: an unprecedented revenue-sharing agreement; and requires the creation of two new funds: one of which will be dedicated to environmental protection, economic development and higher education opportunities, and the other which will be dedicated to charitable organizations throughout the state.
The new casino will create hundreds of family wage union jobs during construction and will support more than a thousand jobs in Cascade Locks once the facility is opened.

The Warm Springs Tribe has agreed to share seventeen percent of its Gross Gaming Revenue annually with the citizens of Oregon, which is the first time in Oregon history such an agreement has been negotiated. Under the agreement, the Tribe will deposit monies annually into a non-profit entity called the Oregon Benefit Fund, which will be managed by an independent board. Five to ten percent of the funds will be used for environmental purposes in the Columbia River Gorge. Another five percent may be used for economic development, and the remainder will be used for direct student assistance for postsecondary education in Oregon.

[0rganism]

1. Let the Indians have their casinos, already

Dang it, we demolished their livelihoods, stuck them on backwater "reservations", and ruined their societies with alcohol. If they want to run some casinos on "white man's land" for a change, I say go for it. Kind of a pity that it's planned for already-booming Hood River instead of the relatively depressed Dalles area, but if that's what they decided to do... :shrug:

With or without the baseball stadium, they'll be paying more in taxes to the state of Oregon than Enron ever did.

[doubleplusgood]

2. should build this in Portland instead

Think of all the fuel people will waste going to the casino in Cascade Locks, fuel that would be saved if it were built in Portland instead. Is it really a good idea in these times of ever rising fuel prices to build something that will encorage people to drive more ?

Not to mention the increased traffic along I-84. My guess is that many people going to the casino don't give a darn about the scenic beauty of the gorge, they just want to get to the gaming tables ASAP. Anyone who has driven between L.A. & Vegas can attest to how nuts people can be on the roads to a gambling destination.

Also, this will only have a negative environmental impact on the gorge not only from the traffic it generates directly but from the growth-inducing aspects of this project.

[sandnsea]

3. Don't notice it in Florence

I don't know that any more people are traveling 126 to get to the casino than were traveling it to get to the dunes. I didn't notice alot of traffic up near Spirit Mtn either. That'll be 10 casinos in this state. Not quite Vegas yet, I guess.