News

Politics

Gambling roadblock ahead

Rubio and five other Republicans say the Legislature can halt a deal with Seminoles.

By STEVE BOUSQUET and STEVE HUETTEL, Times Staff Writers
Published September 11, 2007

---

ADVERTISEMENT

TALLAHASSEE - State House leaders on Monday told Gov. Charlie Crist that any casino gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe would need to be ratified by the Legislature, and said they have the votes to block the tribe from running lucrative table games such as blackjack.

In a letter to Crist, House Speaker Marco Rubio and five other Republicans set forth their opposition to allowing the tribe to make money from any new gambling ventures other than the Las Vegas-style slot machines already in use at three Broward County race tracks.

"We believe the pursuit of increased revenue for the state should be of secondary importance in Florida's negotiations with the tribe," they wrote. "Rather, we believe the aim of the negotiations should be to agree to the bare minimum amount of gambling to which the tribe is entitled under the law. Instead of maximizing revenue, we want to minimize the inevitable social harm associated with increased tribal gambling."

The letter cited an opinion issued Sept. 6 by Attorney General Bill McCollum, who said the state can negotiate a deal with the tribe without allowing any type of gambling currently prohibited by state law.

After seeing the letter, Crist said it is still "my preference" to have the Legislature review any compact with the tribe, but stopped short of committing to it. He also sounded less optimistic about the chances of it being completed.

"I'm not saying we're going to have a compact," Crist said. "I look at it as an opportunity, but not a necessity."

He declined to discuss details of the talks with the Seminole tribe, which is seeking more gambling options at its seven Florida sites, including the Seminole Hard Rock Casino near Tampa. "I'm not going to negotiate with them right here," he said, facing a battery of cameras and microphones.

Crist has cited a possible gambling pact, in which the state would get a piece of the action, as one way to solve a pressing budget shortfall that is estimated at $2.5-billion over two years.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne wrote Crist in June, saying the department could approve expanded gaming for the Seminoles without the state's approval. In that case, the Seminoles would not be required to share any of the gaming revenue with the state.

Rep. Ray Sansom, R-Destin, who will succeed Rubio as speaker in 2008, said he is strongly opposed to any expansion of gambling. He predicted the House has more than 61 votes needed to defeat a compact if it expanded gambling.

"I'm not in favor of trying to balance the budget on the backs of the weaknesses of people who gamble," Sansom said.

The letter was sent on the eve of today's scheduled discussion between state officials, the tribe and the Interior Department on the progress of negotiations.

The House letter is another effort by Rubio to draw a distinction between himself and Crist over the expansion of gambling - an issue that is still a flash point of controversy with Republican social conservatives.

The tribe contends that because slot machines are considered Class 3 gaming, they should be permitted to offer all other Class 3 games, such as blackjack, roulette and craps. McCollum's opinion said those games don't have to be part of the negotiations.

Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, said in a brief statement that the compact would need to be ratified by the Legislature, but declined to comment on specifics until a compact is reached.

Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminoles, said Rubio and other House leaders might feel differently when a final agreement is hammered out. "They have not yet seen the final draft," Richard said. "Hopefully, when he and other Republicans see it, it might dissipate some of their opposition."

Richard said a deal could restrict expansion of gambling in Florida by limiting it to the seven Seminole casinos. "By providing a substantial amount of dollars, it could reduce the state's need to expand gaming elsewhere."

The governor's negotiators and the tribe have agreed in principle to a deal that would give Florida $50-million immediately after signing and a minimum of $100-million a year, said Richard. The tribe's projections show the state's percentage share will be significantly higher.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or (850)224-7263.

[Last modified September 10, 2007, 21:23:29]