A coalition of state Indian tribes has added $500,000 to the campaign against Initiative 892, a proposal that would allow electronic slot machines in nontribal casinos and likely threaten a prime source of tribal income.
The contribution, made to the No On I-892 campaign last week by the Campaign for Tribal Self Reliance, indicates that the tribes intend to try to match, if not outdo, the fund-raising power of the nontribal gaming business, which through the end of June has put nearly $464,000 into the initiative campaign.

Though the organized opposition to I-892 also includes representatives of law enforcement, the Christian Coalition and those concerned about gambling addiction, the campaign is expected to be funded almost entirely by the tribes.

"There will be quite a burden on the tribes to make a significant contribution," said Ron Allen, co-chairman of the Campaign for Tribal Self Reliance.

Passage of I-892, he added, "would be a huge setback for us."

Eighteen of the state's 29 federally recognized tribes operate casinos.

The $500,000 contribution from the tribal coalition comes atop more than $97,000 already donated by the Muckleshoot tribe, which has been paying for ads, polling and mailings.

A multimillion-dollar campaign is expected leading up to the Nov. 2 election, featuring messages about morality on one side and talk of taxpayer relief on the other. I-892 calls for taxing the proceeds from the new, nontribal electronic slot machines and using the money to lower state property taxes.

The tribes do not want the campaign to focus on the potential loss of money and employment in the Native American community. That is not seen as the winning formula.

Instead, said Allen, the tribes want the issue to be: "Do you want gambling for private interests instead of ... what is for social and community benefit?"

The Secretary of State's Office is reviewing the more than 200,000 signatures gathered to put I-892 on the ballot. Certification is expected next month.

During the signature-gathering phase of the campaign, I-892 spokesman and sponsor Tim Eyman was receiving $3,100 a week in compensation. Eyman announced yesterday that the campaign was no longer paying him. Eyman said he was seeking donations to compensate him for his work on the initiative.

The I-892 campaign has spent much of the $464,000 it's raised on gathering signatures. Most of the $600,000 the tribes have contributed still is available.


Other political news

In the race for governor, the three major candidates remained on pace to shatter the previous fund-raising record for a gubernatorial race.

Attorney General Christine Gregoire, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, raised more than $486,000 in cash and in-kind contributions last month. Since entering the race nearly a year ago, she has raised about $2.67 million and had about $1.5 million in the bank at the start of July.

King County Executive Ron Sims, also vying for the Democratic nomination, fell further behind Gregoire in the money race. He raised just under $100,000 last month. Of the $1 million Sims has raised thus far, he still had nearly $640,000 in his account.

Republican Dino Rossi, meanwhile, is keeping pace with Gregoire. He raised about $475,000 last month, bringing his total to $2.65 million. Rossi, a former state senator, reported having nearly $1.8 million in the bank.

With nearly four months remaining before the general election, Gregoire, Sims and Rossi already have nearly matched the $6.6 million raised during the 2000 governor's race. They likely will surpass the all-time record — $8.8 million raised by eight candidates in 1996 — once national party groups start pumping money into the race after the Sept. 14 primary.

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