"The biggest difference between two earlier gambling agreements between the Seminole tribe and Gov. Charlie Crist, and the latest compact poised for legislative approval in the next week?
Hint: It's not about the kids anymore.
Instead of being earmarked for education, the tribe's revenue-sharing payments will go to the state's general revenue fund, according to the ratifying bills that have been drafted by the House (HB7221) and Senate (SB622).
"Do it for the children," Crist implored legislators last April as compact talks stalled.
"We want to do whatever we can to get that money for Florida's children," Crist said in January as negotiations resumed.
The original 2007 compact, which the Florida Supreme Court scuttled because Crist bypassed the Legislature, specifically mentioned that revenues would benefit "the education of Florida's children."
Before rejecting last year's sequel, legislators called for the Seminole payments to go to the state's Education Enhancement Trust Fund. That's the same pot where Florida lottery profits and slot-machine taxes from South Florida pari-mutuel casinos go.
But this time, the kids went bust."
Get the Story:
Michael Mayo: Third time should be charm for Seminole gambling agreement
(The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 4/15)
Related Stories:
Editorial: Seminole casino compact a
good deal for Florida (4/12)
Seminole casino compact easily clears
first legislative vote (4/9)
New compact for Seminole Tribe moving
towards approval (4/8)
Seminole
Tribe signs a third compact for Class III gaming (4/7)
Stay Connected
Contact Us
indianz@indianz.com202 630 8439 (THEZ)
Search
Top Indian Gaming Stories
Trending in Gaming
1 Catawba Nation continues work on controversial casino in North Carolina
2 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes move forward with casino expansion
3 Poarch Band of Creek Indians said to be on Trump's radar
4 Hopi Tribe officially joins Indian gaming industry with approved compact
5 Seminole Tribe paid just $50M for casino Donald Trump built for $1.2B
2 Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes move forward with casino expansion
3 Poarch Band of Creek Indians said to be on Trump's radar
4 Hopi Tribe officially joins Indian gaming industry with approved compact
5 Seminole Tribe paid just $50M for casino Donald Trump built for $1.2B
More Stories
Eastern Cherokees on track for casino expansion project Salt River Tribe optimistic for economy with new casino
Indian Gaming Archive