"Governor Charlie Crist has gently but firmly raised the stakes in the debate over gaming, saying Sunday that failure to pass a gambling agreement with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida could translate into line items being vetoed from the state’s $65 billion budget.

Speaking to reporters as budget negotiators met to iron out final differences, a short-sleeved Crist said revenues from any proposed deal with the tribe are indelibly linked to other budget matters. If an agreement can’t be reached that is amenable to the tribe, some legislative priorities may have go as well.

“If it doesn’t happen, I may have to cut things out of this budget that are put in there,” Crist said. “The members are acutely cognizant of that. There are important things they want to be able to do and I want them to do. In some ways the Seminole compact money gives us the opportunity to do that.”

Negotiators may meet Monday to continue talks on expanding gaming across the state. They remain far apart on any compromise deal. The tribe, which must approve any compact, has yet to weigh in."

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Michael Peltier: Crist takes a seat at gaming table (The Naples Daily News 5/3)