Tribes: Campaign Rules Don't Apply
This is, to me, the biggest story of the day. Tribal sovereignty trumps the state's ability to file campaign finance enforcement lawsuits, an attorney representing a Palm Springs Indian tribe argued Wednesday in front of the California Supreme Court. The case pitting the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians against the Fair Political Practices Commission, the state panel that oversees campaign financing and spending, questions whether federally recognized tribes should be immune from most state intervention, including lawsuits to enforce state laws. The state's highest court must consider whether California tribes, which have become major political donors because of a windfall of casino revenues, should be bound by campaign finance disclosure rules. |
Comments on "Tribes: Campaign Rules Don't Apply"
I still can't quite get my arms around the idea that if tribes are sovereign nations, how they can make any political contributions. It ain't like China or France can.
If they want to shovel money to the politicos, then they need to follow the rules...
Yea, the Agua Caliente was also Jack Abramoff's only California client. Their wish-list formed the basis for the bribe between Abramoff and OH Congressman Bob Ney. Yesterday's LA Times has a story about them funneling a half million to the sponsor of their massive casino expansion.
It's like the Abramoff scandal never happened!