SACRAMENTO – A local tribe has moved a step closer to beginning work on its new casino.

On Thursday night the state Assembly unanimously approved Senate Bill 89, which was amended by First District Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) to include ratification of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribal gaming compact.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 112-page compact with the tribe on Sept. 2, as Lake County News has reported.

The new $25 million facility will have 349 slot machines, six table games, sitdown and fast food restaurants, and a retail shop in a roughly 34,000-square-foot facility, with about 175 employees, according to tribal officials.

Chesbro sought the amendment during the special session Thursday night because the ratification, when approved by the Senate next week, will immediately create good-paying jobs in Lake County.

“Because of the tribe’s agreements with the developer, the legislative ratification of this compact will trigger the release of the funding and will provide immediate construction jobs in Lake County,” Chesbro said.

“This means that Lake County residents can begin working at decent paying jobs before Christmas,” he said. “Moreover, upon completion of the tribe’s gaming project, the tribe will create between 200 and 300 much-needed full-time jobs – with benefits. Because Lake County is presently experiencing a 17-percent unemployment rate and last month the Konocti Harbor Resort closed, costing the county 800 jobs, it was imperative to ratify the compact as soon as possible.”

The tribe has been working closely with the county and the community in the preparation and planning of its gaming project.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors supports the tribe’s effort to open the casino resort as soon as possible.

During the Assembly debate on the bill, Assembly member Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) spoke in strong support of the compact, reiterating the immediate need for ratification so that the project can break ground before Christmas.

The Assembly approved the amended bill 69-0.

A Senate vote on the bill is expected next week.

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