Northwest tribes historically saved their lobbying and scarce campaign dollars for federal officials, who overseemost tribal assistance programs.  But increased state control of services and gambling issues persuaded them to hire Salem and Olympia lobbyists.  It also encouraged them to triple their contributions to local politicians during the past four years and to buy an occasional attack ad.

Casino cash made it possible, fitting into a national trend in which gambling profits continue to transform tribal politcs from California to Connecticut.  But the jump in contributions a thte state level is more recent and more dramatic in the Northwest.  Oregon and Washington tribes now generate a combined $900 million annually fromm casinos ranging from obscure metal-roofed gambling sheds to glitzy Nevada-style destination resorts.  That's up from $500 million in 1997 and almost nothing in 1993.

The tribes' contributions to Oregon and Washington state races surged similarly, from $8,800 in 1994 to more than $400,000 in 2002.  "It was time to go beyond table pounding and speech making," said Louie Pitt, director of government affairs and planning for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, of north central Oregon.  Pitt said the tribe was initially reluctant to play state money politics.  "But power and money and influence had become more local,"  he said.  "The question became, 'How do we play along to get what's ours?'  Whether we liked it or not, we had to get our fair share."

The Warm Springs hope their gr9owing investment in state politicians -- they gave 21 contributions and about $27,000 to candidates last year, according to the National Institute on Money and Politics -- gives them a louder voice in salmon and natural resources debates.

Yet their primary goal is to persuade Kulongoski to let the tribes build a casino in Cascade Locks, a tiny riverside town near the Bridge of the Gods in the Columbia River Gorge.  Such a casino could generate much more money than the Warm Springs' Indian head Casino.  But its construction requires the blessing of Oregon's new governor.  The Warm Springs spent $14,430 -- more than half their investment in Oregon politics last year -- on Kulongoski's campaign.

Still, the Warm Springs were outspent on that flank by a rival Oregon tribe that hopes to persuade Kulongoski to block the Warm Springs' proposed casino and other efforts to build tribal casinos off reservation lands.  The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, west of Salem, contributed about $120,000 to some 70 candidates last yeare, including $20,000 to Kulongoski, according to campaign finance records.

Grand Ronde offidcials say they want to weigh in on many issues, but the tribe's political involvement also is driven by its desire to protect its economic centerpiece: the Spirit Mountain Casino, 60 miles southwest of Portland.  Spirit Mountqain, the state's most lucrative casino with about
 

Source:  January 15, 2003, The Oregonian, by Jim Lynch, The Oregonian.