Debate Over Casino Await Returning Lawmakers - 2004-01-04
For years lawmakers have been strong advocates on boards and commissions that manage billions of dollars in state assets. If voters give their approval this year, legislators will oversee but no longer control everything from the lottery to waste management, though no one's quite certain how it will work.

The reorganization of boards and commissions, a budget deficit, casino gambling and civil unions are some of the thorny issues scheduled to be debated in the legislative session beginning Tuesday.

With a potential two-year deficit of $226 million, the budget will be an immediate priority for legislative leaders. Republican Gov. Don Carcieri says the Democratic-controlled General Assembly can no longer dismiss the prospect of deep budget cuts.
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Funds Available To Casino, Workers Say - 2004-01-04
A power struggle between the Chukchansi Indian tribe and the company that manages its new casino is at fault for $17 million in unpaid construction costs, the tribe said this week. But unpaid subcontractors say the tribe is ultimately to blame, and they are demanding that it dip into an available $20 million credit line.

"Here they've been saying, 'We want to pay you.' But here they can, and they won't," said Mary Holley, spokeswoman for Hopkins and Son Construction, which is owed over $600,000 for work on the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino that opened near Coarsegold in June.
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