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By not mentioning the two funds, Schwarzenegger's ad "falsely states that tribes pay virtually nothing," said Waltona Manion, a spokeswoman for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Cabazon.

Hmm. 120 something million that mostly goes to other tribes (non-gaming) with random left-overs for counties who have to deal with a thousand percent increase in traffic going to rural casinos who are pumping water out of the ground faster than anything can replenish it. Yeah, Waltona, I'll call that nothing.

Waltona Manion was the woman who was almost single-handedly responsible for making the tribes into a political force for the Democrats. Her constant advocation of 'Putting tribal dollars to work for the tribe' via political contributions is what has lead to the present backlash against the tribes. Once the memo surfaced (and we all knew that would happen) the tribes became a legitimate target. People are going to start to question why three people counts as a tribe, or why 29 people make nearly 200 million dollars a year, or why a chairman who earns more than a million dollars a year (in salary) plus tribal distributions (nearly half a million) has to skirt the law and 'purchase' a luxury car on the reservation to avoid paying taxes.

Go Arnold - 'bout time someone takes them on.

I live part time in the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs). There are 6 Indian casinos in that area, so I see it first hand.

If you go into a casino and buy a product, have a drink or a meal, you will be charged the standard CA state sales tax rate on you purchase. However, big surprise, the Indians keep this money, while the typical customer thinks they are simply paying the state sales tax.

If you stay at an Indian hotel, they will charge you the standard room tax of 12 to 15%. Once again, big surprise, this money is not going to the local city. It is kept by the Indians.

Folks, it is the Indians dirty little secret, and the average casino/hotel patron thinks it is just the state/city taking their pound of flesh.

Then, the local cities have to beg to get the Indian tribes to contribute to the upkeep of the surrounding city that provides them with all their services.

If an Indian lives on the reservation, that Indian does not have to pay the CA vehicle license tax which was just tripled by Gray Davis.

As for free education, well it isn't quite free but they do get to pay the same in-state rates as a regular CA resident and taxpayer.

This whole system stinks. The biggest tragedy of all is that Gray Davis just signed into law a bill that will give the Indians the right to declare enormous amounts of lands throughout the state as sacred grounds, thereby stopping or limiting their development by the legitimate owners. Of course, I am confident those same Indians will be willing to look the other way for a substantial fee.

People are going to start to question why three people counts as a tribe, or why 29 people make nearly 200 million dollars a year, or why a chairman who earns more than a million dollars a year (in salary) plus tribal distributions (nearly half a million) has to skirt the law and 'purchase' a luxury car on the reservation to avoid paying taxes.

And you are looking at one of them right here. If these tribes do not pay taxes to the State or have to abide by the laws of the State they are in then why are they voting in our State elections and contributing to candidates?