Governor Hides Records about Tribal Gambling Deal


Many states that have tribal casinos have revenue-sharing agreements with the tribes that bring millions into the state’s coffers.

But not Washington. In her first term, Gov. Chris Gregoire struck an agreement with 27 tribes that brings no revenue to the state—in fact she rejected an earlier compact that included revenue sharing. The governor said she was concerned about gambling expanding too quickly.

Tribal gambling is a billion dollar industry in Washington. By some estimates, revenue sharing could have brought up to $140 million annually to the state. So lawmakers were puzzled—why would the governor reject a steady stream of income?

Then the news exploded: Indian tribes made contributions of $650,000 to the state Democratic party and $49,000 to Gov. Gregoire.

The entire state was shocked. Republican leaders called for an investigation. Even Democratic legislators complained. “Why would you give someone a monopoly without taking a cut?” asked Sen. Ken Jacobsen (D). Sen. Jacobsen also said the governor’s negotiations with the tribes were too secretive: “By the time anybody in the Legislature heard about it, it was a done deal.”

The Governor’s Office insisted there was no quid pro quo. According to Gregoire’s spokesman Pearse Edwards, “This is a free country and if someone wants to make a donation to any party, to any group, they are free to do so.”

But when several members of the public asked for records about Gregoire’s negotiations with the tribes, they were rebuffed. The Governor’s Office refused to turn over the records, claiming executive privilege.

Governor Gregoire has claimed “executive privilege” hundreds of times to shield records from the public. The Freedom Foundation has challenged Gov. Gregoire’s use of executive privilege to hide public records. The people of Washington deserve to review the decisions of their elected officials. .... http://www.myfreedomfoundation.com/index.php/site/view/governor_hides_records_about_tribal_gambling_deal?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+myfreedomfoundation%2Fblog+%28Liberty+Live+RSS+Feed%29#When:18:32:22Z

Dear Chrissy, taxaholic believes taxing John Q beats the hell out of
some gambling money skim.
What a typically rotten politician, King County deserves her.

I sincerely doubt that "everyone was shocked"...it's the kind of stuff that every politician does, regardless of party, including those who were "shocked" about it.

Fish on...

Todd

Finally getting it: If a Repub does a dishonest deal they are idiots, if a Dem does a dishonest deal, they are only doing what every politian does.

They are all scum and can be trusted to only look out for themselves.


Fishy

Kind of old news on this deal.

for sure it is old.

Question should be, "Where is the media? and Why aren't they kickin' the b!tch's arse?

Ya don't find any disagreement from me. She gave this away, gas tax, cigs and liquor too. Worst governor ever.

Don't burst Todd bubble.