The Best Government Money Can Buy

Toady's LA Times

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who spent his first two years in office battling Indian tribes with casinos, is now giving at least four of them a vast expansion unlike anything they received from the man Schwarzenegger swept from office.

Under new Schwarzenegger compacts awaiting lawmakers' approval, Southern California would have up to 19,500 more authorized slot machines. The region could become home to some of the world's largest casinos, each containing as many as 7,500 slot machines.
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Pechanga's backers include state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland), who is among the authors of the bill that would ratify its deal. Last week, Pechanga donated $50,000 to a political account controlled by Perata.

There was no connection between the donation and the legislation, said Paul Hefner, Perata's political spokesman: "The pro tem makes decisions based on the merit."
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Morongo, Pechanga, San Manuel and Agua Caliente have spent more than $2.5 million on state political campaigns this year. Indian tribes overall have spent $220 million on campaigns since 1998, the year of their first big push for legalized gambling on their land.

Right - no connection at all.