More Democrat Corruption in WA?
June 19th, 2008 at 09:55am Matt Margolis
This story about the governor-select of Washington state suggests something unkosher is going on.
Gov. Chris Gregoire is benefiting from more than $650,000 in campaign contributions from Indian tribes that hit the jackpot in 2005 when she killed a gambling compact potentially worth more than $140 million a year to the state.
Unlike 22 other states that collect millions from revenue sharing agreements for tribal gambling, Washington gets no money from tribal casinos under the compact that Gregoire renegotiated with the Spokane Tribe.
Gregoire backed away from the 2005 agreement that included revenue sharing in an attempt to keep gambling from expanding too quickly and after listening to concerns from a wide range of groups, including other tribes, said her spokesman, Pearse Edwards.
But gambling experts say the state’s arrangement, which gives the governor power to approve or reject gambling agreements with the tribes and allows those same tribes to contribute to political campaigns, is ethically problematic but not illegal.
“It’s a payoff,” said University of Nevada-Las Vegas professor William Thompson, who has been studying tribal gambling since 1988. “She shouldn’t take any campaign money, nor should her political party, and it smells too quid pro quo for my liking.”
Even Gregoire’s fellow Democrats in the Legislature question the deal.
“Why would you give someone a monopoly without taking a cut?” asked Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle.
Read the whole story… I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about his soon.
UPDATE: State lawmakers call for bi-partisan inquiry.
Entry Filed under: Corruption, Democrats
11 Comments
1. OpChaosUK | June 19th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Nothing new here, Matt–just another Donkaroach who’ll get away with doing things that Republicans are fried for. Hell, just look at how this cow was elected. Oh, that’s right, she wasn’t…
2. Concerned-D | June 19th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
This deal stinks, bad. If you scroll to the bottom of the Post-Intelligencer story, you can read local readers feedback (”SoundOff“). Even Governor Gregoire’s fellow Democrats say the deal was bad for the state. But in fairness, the tribes got a good deal — $650K invested for $140 million+ return. Oh, right.
3. hermie | June 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
When the State of Washington tells their citizens they can’t pay for roads or schools or whatever, and they are going to raise taxes…Just point out this little deal.
4. LiberalNitemare | June 19th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Clearly this is just another GOP generated distraction to keep us from discussing the important issues before us today.
So is Obama smoking again or what?
5. Magnum Serpentine | June 19th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
If you can call the rightfully elected governor of the great state of Washington, Select (ed). Then I can call the liar george, acting president and I can say he is selected by the Supreme Court.
6. HeyNow | June 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Keating 5
7. neocon | June 19th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
HeyNow,
I will bring to your attention that you have deflected the issue on every Obama thread rather than make at least one comment towards the substance of the thread.
This can only be seen as a lack of confidence with your own flawed candidate, yet the partisan zeal to see through his election anyway.
have a nice day
peace, neocon
8. Danish Artist | June 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
“keating 5″ - what again?
MS, Gregoire accomplished what Gore could not - recounted selective districts until he won. Sheesh, you’re an idiot.
Are you that naturally stupid or do you practice at it every waking minute?
9. js | June 19th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
My Mom was born on the reservation in this topic. The Tribe bought the Governor. Everyone on the Reservation agrees.
10. arcman | June 20th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Actually Magnum, you can’t. Despite all of the liberal lies about how George W Bush was elected president, every investigation of a full recount in Florida proved that he was the winner. He won the Electoral College vote, which is how, by the way Presidents are elected in this country, and the shenanigans by the left to throw the election was to disenfranchise the very people that allow you to speak your mind. Christine Gregoire, on the other hand, lost several recounts, and every recount the good people of King County kept finding more “voters” (mostly dead people and felons) until the result was the what they wanted. Those are the facts: but then facts are something that you probably are unfamiliar with.
11. OpChaosUK | June 20th, 2008 at 2:22 am
This can only be seen as a lack of confidence with your own flawed candidate, yet the partisan zeal to see through his election anyway.
neo, these people hate everything GOP, especially anything GW Bush. They don’t care that their candidate is an empty suit; they’re motivated by hatred…and white guilt.
arcman, you’re wasting your time with Magnum–have you read any of her juvenile posts?