Seminole Gambling Compact Issue Not A Priority In Florida

Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminole Indians were up against a deadline to complete and sign a casino gambling compact in the state. They met their deadline, but now legislators are taking their time bringing the compact up for approval.

The legislators in Florida have been dragging behind on the Seminole gambling issue for years. In 2006, Governor Crist signed the first of now two compacts he has agreed upon with the Seminole tribe. That first compact did not get far, however, with legislators upset they were not involved with the decision making process.

Legislators asked the Supreme Court in Florida to void the original deal, claiming that Crist did not have the authority to negotiate the compact. They won that legal battle, and that left the state and the Seminoles with no deal.

Earlier this year, with legislative approval, Crist was again sent in to work out a deal with the Seminoles. This time there would be negotiators from the House and Senate to help the process along.

A deal was worked out and signed, and now all that is left is for lawmakers to vote on the compact. Crist wanted to call a special session for October to discuss the compact, but legislators turned that idea away, saying they needed time to review the deal.

Now it is several months later and there is no timetable for lawmakers to review and vote on the compact. There are some who believe that the process could stretch into the legislative session next March, but again it is legislators who are calling the shots.

"I think it's going to be up to the legislative leadership, when they're ready to tackle the issue," said Sterling Ivey, Spokesman for Governor Crist.

October 19, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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