By The Leader Staff
Tachi Council Members (L to R) Tribal Council Delegate Jaime Pimentel, Chairman Leo Sisco, Assemblyman Rudy Salas, Vice Chair Robert Jeff, and Tribal Council Bryce Baga.
Tachi Council Members (L to R) Tribal Council Delegate Jaime Pimentel, Chairman Leo Sisco, Assemblyman Rudy Salas, Vice Chair Robert Jeff, and Tribal Council Bryce Baga.

Lemoore and Kings County Assemblyman Rudy Salas helped pass Assembly Bill (AB) 957, legislation that ratifies the tribal-state compact between California and the historic Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Tribe in Kings County.

The new agreement will help promote tribal economic development and self-sufficiency and create local jobs and investment in road and fire station improvement projects.

“I am pleased that California has once again renewed its commitment to a strong relationship with the Tachi Tribe, which will contribute to our local economy and provide new job opportunities,” said Salas. “This compact will bring jobs, economic growth, and community projects that will benefit Valley families.” 

The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is a federally recognized tribe of Tachi Yokuts people located southeast of Lemoore, California.  In 1934, the Santa Rosa Rancheria was established on about 40 acres of desolate farmland. The Santa Rosa Rancheria has expanded in size over the years, and now is approximately 1,800 acres and employs more than 700 people at Tachi Palace Casino and Resort. The Tribe provides health care, housing, and education programs that benefit non-tribal members and tribal members.

The Tribe has created opportunities for Kings County through community programs, including scholarship assistance, job training, adult education programs, health and welfare assistance, social services, community maintenance and development, economic development opportunities, and clean drinking water projects for local schools.

Tribal leadership has also committed to assisting in road improvement projects. It will be providing $900,000 in goodwill to Kings County through an Intergovernmental Agreement and providing over half the expenses for maintenance of a fire station.

AB 957 passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the Governor’s Desk.