Florida Republicans took gaming money

Friday, October 12, 2007

Florida Republicans who have opposed the Seminole Tribe's Class III gaming compact have taken money from gaming interests, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

Records show Florida Republicans took $844,000 from gaming interests between July and September. September was when House Speaker Marco Rubio and other Republican leaders started speaking out against the compact negotiations, saying they were opposed to an expansion of gaming.

The top three contributors to Republicans during that period, in fact, were gaming interests. Roughly $1 of every $5 the state party accepted came from the gaming industry.

The racetracks convinced voters to legalize slot machines at their facilities but did not include tribes in their campaign. The tracks now say they shouldn't have to pay taxes if the tribe is allowed to operate slot machines.

Get the Story:
Gambling interests donate $844,000 to GOP legislators (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 10/12)
pwday
Gambling industry puts $800,000 in GOP pot (The Miami Herald 10/12)
Legislators to continue gaming talks next week (The Naples Daily News 10/10)