Editorial: Compromise on Seminole gaming deal

Tuesday, September 8, 2009  

"The good news is that Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe beat the clock in ratifying a new gambling compact. The bad news is that the compact needs work — lots of it — if it hopes to survive the Florida Legislature.

In the ideal world, the governor would be able to, with minimal obstacles, craft an agreement that is acceptable to all parties. The tribe needs a compact to expand its gambling operations, Florida lacks the revenue needed to keep up with its expenses, and the pari-mutuels seek a revival of their industry.

How hard could it be? Unfortunately, this is Tallahassee, where the gambling compact is caught in a political crossfire that, if left unchecked, could kill the initiative outright.

Crist negotiated a deal that would give the tribe a 20-year monopoly on blackjack and slot machines outside of South Florida. The deal provides the state with as much as $300 million annually. Eight pari-mutuel operations in Broward and Miami-Dade counties would get lower taxes and expanded poker operations"

Get the Story:
Compromise the name of the game in ratifying gambling compact (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 9/8)

More Opinions:
Editorial: Seminole casino deal too flawed to approve (The Fort Myers News-Press 9/8)
Editorial: Compact's silver lining (The Orlando Sentinel 9/8)