Changing business as usual

Here is disturbing piece in today’s Sacramento Bee that shows all the “gift giving” by special interests going on in Sacramento. It is because of practices like these that I have made campaign finance reform a top priority on my legislative agenda. Last year, I introduced legislation to establish a “Clean Money” public financing system for our elections. A Clean Money system, based on a successful Arizona model, would allow anybody to run for office without including big campaign contributions from special interests. I will be releasing more on this later, but take a look at this piece and tell me if you feel the time has come for real and genuine campaign finance reform.

Gambling issue refuses to go away

This great article in Sunday’s Sacramento Bee investigates a legal battle between the Governor and the Morongo Band of Indians over whether video lottery terminals (video slot machines) should be counted as slot machines and therefore be regulated by the State. Do you think video slot machines should be regulated like regular slot machines?
 

'Tis the season of giving

Tommorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving as an opportunity to give thanks, share a meal with others, and spend time with our friends and family. But let us also remember that there are those who are in need, those who are alone, and those who are hungry. In this light, I would encourage you to visit this website and support the food drive at the Contra Costa Food Bank. Also, if you can, spend time volunteering at a local food bank, church or other community organization so that everyone can have a warm and joyous holiday.

Here a casino, there a casino, everywhere a casino

And here is a great piece in today’s Oakland Tribune regarding all of the proposed casinos in Richmond, San Pablo and Oakland.

Scotts Valley tribal leader advocates for Casino in North Richmond

Here is an article in today’s Contra Costa Times that features Don Arnold, tribal leader of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. In this article he argues the merits of a casino in North Richmond. This casino, as you might know, is one of the five proposed casinos in the East Bay that includes Casino San Pablo, Casino at Point Molate in Richmond, Casino at Hilltop Mall in Richmond, a casino at the Oakland Airport and this casino in North Richmond.

Texas Shakedown

You may have heard this piece on NPR this morning. This investigative report shows how two high-roller D.C. lobbyists defrauded a Texas Indian tribe through a high-stakes political sham. Simply go here, then click on “Listen” to hear the report.

The People Have Spoken

If you flipped through today's San Francisco Chronicle, you saw my opinion piece about the Governor and Legislature's misguided attempts to install large, Las Vegas style casinos right inside our urban areas, in our communities, instead of listening to what the people of California have said about this alarming trend. You can read the article here.

Relocating Doctors Hospital?

Here is an article by Tom Lochner in today’s Contra Costa Times that raises a serious issue.  There has been “talk” about Doctors Hospital potentially being moved to Hilltop or the Pinole Hercules area due to the traffic congestion generated by Casino San Pablo. Take a look at this developing scenario.

What's Willie doing?

"So what is Willie Brown, San Francisco's Brioni-dressed former mayor, doing on the other side of the bay -- in blue-collar Richmond, of all places? Trying to pound out a living, and raising some eyebrows in the process."

San Francisco Chronicle's Matier and Ross have an investigative piece in Sunday's paper that tells all about former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown’s proposed casino projects in Richmond.

The plot thickens...

Richmond taking a gamble

In Thursday's Contra Costa Times, we read that the Richmond City Council voted to build a casino at on the bayfront property at Point Molate. An excerpt from the write-up:

>SNIP<

But the vision of a major casino in Richmond throwing off jobs and cash like a spinning top faces such regulatory obstacles that some experts give even odds on whether such a project can ever happen. That's the gamble Richmond took this week when the City Council opted for a casino complex at Point Molate over a proposal by neighboring ChevronTexaco to maintain the land as a security buffer and infuse city coffers with $50 million in quick cash.

>SNIP<

And in the papers...

Here is a thoughtful editorial from our local Oakland Tribune, cautioning that "gambling should heed voters' warning."

Slot Machines versus Video Lottery Machines

Here is an article about a legal battle between the Governor and two Indian tribes. The dispute is over whether video lottery machines should “count” toward the state-imposed limit on slot machines for Indian Casinos. Current compacts with these tribes cap the number of slot machines at 2,000. Should video lottery machines be regulated as slot machines are or should they be considered uniquely different? You decide.
 

The Campus Bay/Zeneca Site: Does the State Process Guarantee Safe Cleanup?

I am holding a joint legislative hearing on the clean up of the Richmond Zeneca Site this Saturday November 6th.  I would like to invite our community to join me and other members of the Legislature, as well as local elected officials to Legislative Hearing & Community Dialogue about the Campus Bay/Zeneca Site Clean-Up.
 
We will be investigating:
 
· What’s happening with the clean-up of the former Zeneca site, near Bay view Avenue and I-580? 
 
· What needs to happen to safely redevelop a former chemical manufacturing site to protect public health now and for future generations?
 
· Does the State clean-up process guarantee meaningful public participation?
 
Join us:

Saturday, November 6, 2004
10 AM – 1 PM
University of California Richmond Field Station
Building 454, 1301 South 46th Street, Richmond

For more information call (510) 559-1406.