Senate President Slows Talk Of Florida Seminole Gambling Compact

The hopes of Governor Charlie Crist to hold a special legislative session in October took a hit this week when Senate President Jeff Atwater openly spoke about the need for lawmakers to take their time in this process. The governor signed a gambling compact with the Seminole Indians, and had wanted the deal approved in October.

It now looks as though it could be several months after that when the deal is finally approved. That is, if the deal is approved. Atwater also expressed some reservations about the deal as it is curre4ntly constructed.

"As you are all aware, this issue involves a series of complex conversations with a variety of interests and impacts throughout our state," wrote Atwater, in a memo sent to both the media and the Senate, "There are policy decisions to be considered that are not well served by undue haste. If, or when, the Senate takes up this issue it will be in a manner that allows for sufficient time to debate the facts and the merits of such policy."

The fact that Atwater said "if" is not realistic. It was the legislature that sent Crist to negotiate with the Seminoles regarding the gambling compact. The issue will have to be discussed by members of the Senate at some point.

Atwater had a concern about the omission of Palm Beach County and other areas of the state being allowed to expand their slot offerings if voters choose to do so. That idea was in the original deal that lawmakers sent to the Seminoles, but did not appear in the new compact.

The compact has been tough for lawmakers in Florida to throw their arms around. Many of these lawmakers have received significant campaign donations from the powerful pari-mutuel gaming industry, and that industry has come out against the new Seminole deal.

Aside from the politics involved in the compact, the state stands to benefit greatly, in the millions of dollars range, should the deal be approved. Governor Crist has pushed a swift conclusion to the compact negotiations in fear that if the deal is not complete, the Seminoles may end up with the expanded gambling without having to give the state any of the revenue.

September 11, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!