Nation introduces amendment
to ban "reservation shopping"

By James Lanaras, Bay City News Service

March 16, 2006

Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-Sonoma-Marin, introduced an Assembly Constitutional Amendment Wednesday that would ban "reservation shopping'' without the approval of local voters or governing bodies.

Nation said his legislation, ACA 35 "gives local voters, the same people that approved Proposition 1A, the ability to determine what they feel is appropriate in terms of gaming for their communities.''

"During the campaign for Prop. 1A, voters were promised that tribal gaming would be contained to existing Indian lands. ACA 35 simply ensures that this promise will be fulfilled, unless local communities agree to grant exceptions,'' Nation said.

Nation said few voters expected the rapid expansion of rural, suburban and urban casinos and the "reservation shopping phenomenon that has swept through California over the last few years.''

There is one casino operating in Sonoma County and two others are proposed for the Rohnert Park and the Cloverdale areas.

Nation is running for Rep. Lynn Woolsey's 6th District seat in the House of Representatives.

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