Political Notebook - 04.16.07:
Familiar Faces
It seemed like old home week during a pair of state Senate hearings last week to examine renegotiated compacts between the governor and five Southern California tribes with casinos, including four in the Inland area.
The deals would give the tribes thousands of additional slot machines in return for more revenue-sharing with the state.
Willie Brown, the self-described 'Ayatollah of the Assembly' during his 14 years as Assembly speaker, was part of the contingent with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Cabazon.Keith Olberg, a former Victorville assemblyman-turned-lobbyist, represented the Los Coyotes tribe of San Diego County, who wants to open a casino in Barstow. ($187,036)
Phil Wyman, a Tehachapi Republican who served in the Assembly for almost two decades, represented the Chemehuevi tribe near Lake Havasu. The tribe also wants to build a Barstow casino.
Phil Isenberg, another Assembly veteran, represents Sycuan tribe of San Diego County.
And those were just the ones at the crowded hearings. Former Inland lawmakers Russ Bogh and Jim Brulte are advising Morongo tribal leaders behind the scenes.
Neither Brown, Bogh nor Brulte are registered as lobbyists in 2007.
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