California Governor Gavin Newsom June 13 signed a tribal state gaming compact with the Tejon Indian Tribe. However, before the tribe can build its $600 million casino, the compact must be approved by the legislature—and that may be opposed by several neighboring gaming tribes.
The 1,200-member tribe, which achieved federal recognition in 2012 after being landless for 150 years, seeks to develop some 320 acres off Interstate 5 and Highway 166. The bill’s author, Senator Melissa Hurtado, said she was “cautiously optimistic” about its chances. “It’s not done until it’s done, and it’s not done yet,” she said.
The tribe wants to build an 11-story hotel tower, and a 3,000-slot casino to be developed on 52 acres in partnership with Hard Rock International. It would have 2,000 employees and an annual payroll of $59 million. Some of the land will be used for tribal housing, healthcare and administrative offices.
Rep. Rudy Salas, who authored the same bill in the Assembly, said, “This bill addresses the concerns from last year and mitigates impacts to the local community while bringing shared prosperity and community benefits to the state and Kern County.”
Tribal Chairman Octavio Escobedo III said in a statement, “This has been a long but worthwhile journey for the tribe.” He added, “These decisions were necessary and significant steps toward the development of a tribal homeland for our tribe, which has been landless for more than 150 years.”
The project has the support of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, local business, labor unions and community groups.
If the legislature concurs with the governor, then the Bureau of Indian Affairs will move forward with the process of putting the land into trust, following a 45-day public review. It has already found the proposed site suitable for the casino.
Senator Hurtado says she is concerned about possible last-minute opposition from some neighboring tribes.
