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Local Coalition Launches California's First Community Impact Report on their New Website

For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2003

Pat Johansen, CVCRS
Maya Holmes, HERE Research Analyst
O 213.532.3882 x229

PALM SPRINGS—The newly formed Coachella Valley Coalition for Responsible Sovereignty (CVCRS) is publicly releasing a comprehensive report, the first of its kind, on the local impacts of tribal casinos in the Palm Springs area. Additionally, coalition members will start a statewide distribution to local and state representatives and others dealing with the impacts of this rapidly expanding industry. The report will also be made available through a new website, www.tribalcasinoimpact.info.

The report and website come at a pivotal time as the state begins negotiations with California gaming tribes on future gaming expansion and the impacts on neighboring communities. CVCRS came together and co-issued the report and website to better understand this growing and dynamic industry and its impacts on the local community. The report was prepared by the Research Department of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union.

With a particular focus on the Palm Springs area, the report and website examine the following:
• The growth of California’s tribal gaming industry;
• How other gaming jurisdictions attend to the impact costs of casinos;
• What is a fair-share contribution to the local community;
• What gaming tribes contribute in California;
• Model tribal and local government agreements; and
• The impacts of tribal casinos in terms of traffic, crime, public safety spending,
education, poverty, healthcare, and housing.

The website is an educational resource for anyone hoping to understand both the positive and negative impacts of tribal casinos on local communities.

“Tribal gaming is becoming an increasingly integral component of our local economy. We need to understand how this rapidly expanding industry is reshaping our community,” said Pat Johansen, CVCRS spokesperson. “Our goal is to make that information available as widely as possible for local and state government and residents.”