If you Wonder if Washington State Needs to be More Fiscally Responsible Read This!

The front page of the Sunday Times had an article "How state spending rose $8B under Gregoire" by Andrew Garber. "Already, the state Senate Ways and Means Ciommittee projects a $2.7 billion shortfall when the Legislature meets in January to write the next two year budget."

When Washington has this kind of spending problem wouldn't it be nice to have the tax income from the tribal casinos that Gregoire has decided that we do not need? In The Seattle P.I. article "Tribes give big to Gregoire, avoid sharing casino cash" by Chris McGann you can see how much money the tibes have been making and it doesn't look like it was really a hardship for them to pay the taxes.

BY THE NUMBERS: INDIAN CASINOS AND COMPACT WITH STATE

Twenty-one tribes in Washington operate 27 casinos under a compact with the state. Unlike some states where the tribes and the state have agreed to share revenue, Washington state receives no tax money from Indian gambling.

Annual revenue of tribal casinos in Washington state:

2005: $1.02 BILLION

2006: $1.19 BILLION

2007: $1.34 BILLION

FROM 18,225 TO 27,300: Total number of gambling terminals allowed in Indian casinos before latest compact and then afterward.

FROM $5 TO $20: Wagering limit on certain machines before latest compact and then afterward (15% of machines).

$604,131: Contributions to state Democratic Party from tribes since 2004.

$1.6 MILLION: Contributions to Gov. Chris Gregoire's campaign from Democratic Party since 2004.

$49,000: Direct contributions from tribes to her since 2004.

Sources: Washington state; Public Disclosure Commission

Remember when you go to vote in the Primary on August 19th try to vote for someone that is fiscally responsible--I'm one of those!

My campaign website is: www.blossforthe36th.com

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