Washington Tribes Play Large Role in State Economy

The Washington Indian Gaming Association may be feeling some pressure from Republicans in the state legislature who would like to either allow non-tribal gambling operatings to install slot machines or increase taxes on tribal casinos. Either measure would help the state raise more revenues from gambling activities in this state. The association has released a statement pointing out that they already contribute significantly to the state economy. Here it is:

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A new economic impact analysis shows Washington’s 29 tribal governments are having a significant and growing beneficial impact to the state.

Tribal governments are reinvesting their enterprise revenues in new ventures that are creating jobs and business opportunities across numerous sectors of the economy and in every geographic area, according to Jonathan B. Taylor, a nationally-known economist who presented his findings to a state legislative committee today.

Tribal governments paid $1.3 billion in wages and benefits in 2010 to 27,376 employees, 66% of them non-tribal members. Tribes also purchased $2.4 billion in goods and services from local businesses near their enterprises and from the broader state economy.

In addition to those impacts, one-time capital investments by tribal governments in 2010 totaled more than $259 million.

“Tribal governments are generating more than $255 million in state and local taxes,” Taylor said. “Taxes are being paid by tribal employees and by the businesses that sell goods and services to the tribes and their employees.”

Taylor said that tribal investments are having a huge impact in rural areas and, in some counties, tribal governments are among the top employers and top buyers of goods and services from local companies.

“We’re proud of the contribution we are making on our reservations and to Washington’s overall economy,” said W. Ron Allen, chair of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and president of the Washington Indian Gaming Association. “We have a long way to go in Indian Country, but we are making progress.”

Because tribal enterprises, including casinos, are operated by tribal governments all net income remains with tribal governments and is used to pay for critical governmental services such as health care, education, housing, public safety, environmental protection and economic development.

Taylor’s report is posted on the Washington Indian Gaming Association website at: https://www.washingtonindiangaming.org/