If you’re familiar at all with the Santa Ynez Valley, you know it’s famous for its rolling hills and farmland bordered by country roads and twisted-trunked oak trees. (Click here to read full article, listen to audio.)
News
Santa Maria Times: Chumash land trust bill dies as Congress adjourns
A House resolution that would have ordered the Secretary of the Interior to take 1,400 acres of land into public trust for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians died when Congress adjourned last week without voting on the bill. (Click here to read the full article)
Santa Barbara Independent: Fee to Trust Is a Bust County Forfeits Views, Tax Money, Water in Latest Terms
Historically, Congress granted specific privileges to Native Americans to help impoverished Tribes off the welfare roles. These privileges were never intended to help wealthy Tribes avoid the tax roles. We hear a lot of reference to sovereignty when it suits our local Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indian’s agenda. Native American Tribes vote in County, State, and Federal elections. They have the privilege to hire lobbyists to work for them in Washington DC, and they are able – like all citizens – to make campaign contributions. However, this Tribe is expecting special privileges that Santa Barbara County cannot afford – both financially and environmentally. (Click here to read full article)
The Washington Examiner: From the grave, Reagan rips tribe’s reservation expansion
A lame duck bid to hand off 1,400 acres to a casino running Native American tribe in southern California is drawing fire not just from locals worried it will destroy the rural feel of coastal Santa Ynez Valley, but also the concerns of the late former President Ronald Reagan. (Click here to read more)
The Modesto Bee – Guest Opinion: Why is Jeff Denham interfering in a Santa Barbara County dispute with casino tribe?
As a Republican who supposedly favors small government and limited bureaucracy, it comes as a surprise that Rep. Jeff Denham has sponsored legislation to elevate a local issue all the way up at the federal level. (Click here to read more)
The Hill: Guest Opinion – Congress shouldn’t use Lame Duck to address local community issues
When the federal government tries to intervene in local issues, the outcome is rarely desirable for those in the affected community. There are usually special interests at play, led by those who have the resources and sway to ask Congress for a favor. This is the exact big government scenario that has been playing out in the Santa Ynez Valley of California during the past year. (Click here to read full article)
Noozhawk: Local Coalition Targets Impact of Chumash Reservation Expansion Plan
In a press conference, members of the newly created Santa Ynez Valley Coalition made their case for defeating federal legislation that would usurp local land-use planning. (Click here to read the full article)
Santa Maria Times: Coalition forms to oppose Chumash acquisition of Camp 4
A group of organizations and individuals have formed a coalition to oppose the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ efforts to add 1,400 acres of land to their reservation using federal legislation. (Click here to read full article)
Santa Barbara News-Press: New SY Valley Coalition stands against Chumash annexation
Representing thousands of local community members, the newly formed Santa Ynez Valley Coalition voiced its opposition Tuesday to a federal bill that would expand the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians reservation as it cuts out local land use planning. (Click here to read the full article)