Millions Pouring Into Casino In Florida While Education Suffers

To walk through the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida and think about what good all of this gambling is doing for the state's education system makes a Florida resident proud.

Only that is not what's happening here. The state is receiving none of the benefits from the busy blackjack tables this Saturday night thanks to a voided compact from 2007.

Legislators last week held a special session to attack the shortcomings of the state budget here in Florida. They went into their meetings like a football coach would when game planning for the upcoming week's game.

They did something, however, that no NFL coach would even think of doing. They did something so ridiculous, that an NFL coach would lose his job if he ever did. They left their biggest weapon out of their game plan.

Yes, that's right. Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis, and LT, were left on the sidelines for the big game. The weapon for the legislators was the expanded gambling taking place here at the Hard Rock.

The Seminoles are more than willing to share their wealth. They had already agreed to give the state millions of dollars in exchange for the rights to blackjack and baccarat. The leader of the state, Governor Charlie Crist, said yes. The legislators said no.

So there they sat in their special session, throwing around ideas that included cutting programs out of their education system. While they were brainstorming, another $50 chip was being placed on a blackjack table at the Hard Rock, a $50 chip that, coupled with others on the table, could have helped state leaders solve the state's financial woes.

January 18, 2009
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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