California deal should be decided by voters

Sacramento County court judges ruled that voters should decide the fate of four newly approved gambling agreements between the state and four Southern California American Indian tribes.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Banning and the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians near Temecula filed separate lawsuits to stop the voter referenda against the agreements.

Proponents of the referenda, including two tribes, a labor union and a racetrack owner, said they were pleased with the ruling. Voters are scheduled to vote on the referenda February 5.