SACRAMENTO
Gov. Newsom Signs Tribal Compacts
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that he has signed tribal-state gaming compacts between the State of California and the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California and the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe.
The new compacts reflect the Governor’s and the Tribes’ mutual commitment to a strong and respectful government-to-government relationship, and to promoting tribal economic development and self-sufficiency, and strong tribal government. The compacts’ terms respect the parties’ interest in improving the quality of life of tribal members though a framework that generates revenue for governmental programs, while also fairly regulating the gaming activities; affording meaningful patron and employee protections; and providing thorough environmental review for potential off-reservation impacts.
The compacts are intended to support tribal government investment in expanded tribal government services, local jurisdictions and non-profit and civic organizations for improved fire and emergency medical services, law enforcement, public transit, education, housing, environmental protection, tourism and other service and infrastructure improvements. The compacts reflect a commitment by the Tribes to support the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund and the Tribal Nation Grant Fund so that the economic benefits of gaming extend to all tribal governments in California.
A copy of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California compact can be found online at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Middletown-Rancheria-of-Pomo-Indians-of-California-compact.pdf
A copy of the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe compact can be found online at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Santa-Rosa-Indian-Community-of-the-Santa-Rosa-Rancheria-Compact.pdf
—Submitted
CALIFORNIA
An unprecedented day for California
What a day Monday was.
First, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that California will lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in the state’s 171-year history.
Then, Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced that supporters of the effort to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom from office had gathered enough signatures to force the second gubernatorial recall election in state history and the fourth in U.S. history.
- Associated Press reporter Adam Beam: “We are in what’s called a ‘news vortex’ in California right now.”
Here’s a closer look at what the Monday announcements mean.
The census: New population estimates show that California is growing more slowly than the rest of the nation, cutting the state’s number of House seats from 53 to 52. That means California gets one fewer vote in the Electoral College that decides the presidency — and less federal money for programs like Medi-Cal, food stamps, highway construction and affordable housing, CalMatters’ Ben Christopher reports. It also means that California’s independent redistricting commission must draw new congressional maps with one fewer district — upping the political stakes of an already highly contentious process that’s also facing an immense time crunch.
Meanwhile, California’s main rival, Texas, gained two House seats — likely due in part to more than 700,000 Californians moving there since 2008. But although the much-discussed “California Exodus” appears to be somewhat overblown, the Golden State’s loss of a congressional seat is sure to be cited as an example of failed Democratic governance — and another reason to recall Newsom.
The recall: Recall supporters submitted 1,626,042 valid signatures — much more than the 1,495,709 needed to trigger a special election. But there are still a lot of bureaucratic hurdles to jump through before an election can take place. Counties have until Thursday to finish verifying any remaining signatures, and voters have until June 8 to request their signatures be removed. If enough do so, the recall could fail to reach the ballot — though this seems unlikely. Then the cost of the election has to be determined, an election date set and candidate paperwork filed.
And in the meantime, prepare yourself for the inevitable onslaught of gubernatorial candidates.
—CALMatters
SACRAMENTO
AG race heats up
Three days after he was sworn in as California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta is already facing two 2022 challengers. Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced her bid Monday, setting the stage for another showdown over the state’s criminal justice approach. Schubert has a more traditional law-and-order background, while Bonta will likely position himself as a progressive prosecutor. The race will be high-profile: Schubert, who changed her political affiliation from Republican to no party preference in 2018, gained international attention for cracking the Golden State Killer cold case. She also led the offensive against prison and jail inmates who scammed up to $1 billion from the state unemployment department. (Also running for AG is Nathan Hochman, a Republican former assistant U.S. attorney.)
The race could also be a referendum on San Francisco County District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, both of whom are facing recall attempts for policies that critics say protect criminals instead of victims.
- Schubert: “To be clear, the newly appointed attorney general has promised to bring the same types of policies to the rest of our great state — policies that are already devastating crime victims and public safety in Los Angeles and San Francisco.”
Also Monday, Bonta announced he would release gun violence data his predecessor, Xavier Becerra, had been criticized for withholding.
—CALMatters
—Compiled by Ariel Carmona Jr.
