By Aaron C. Davis

Democratic state lawmakers carrying bills that would launch a massive expansion of Indian gambling in California have benefited from $1.6 million in tribal donations in recent years, according to an Associated Press review of campaign finance reports. The contributions helped Democratic state senators’ campaigns and political causes, either directly or through donations to independent committees that supported them.

The AP review of tribal donations comes as the Legislature is considering a series of gambling-expansion bills similar to ones that died last year when they had Republican sponsors. The bills returned this year with new sponsors, all members of the Legislature’s majority Democratic party.

The donations raise questions about how closely the Democrat-controlled Senate will scrutinize the bills. Critics, including the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, say the agreements with the casinos will not deliver as much tax revenue as promised