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by Frank_Robertson from Fox 13, Tampa Bay

Last Post 2 days, 10 hours Ago


Gamble Backfires
Jul 3, 2008 | 2:13 PM
Category: News
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Governor Charlie Crist gambled when he signed a 25-year compact with the Seminoles that guaranteed the state no less than 100-million dollars a year from the tribe's casino operations. Now, the Florida Supreme Court has ruled that Crist exceeded his authority by entering into the agreement. House Speaker Marco Rubio had filed suit arguing that any such "compact" required legislative approval.

So, what's next? No one really seems to know. The tribe has already installed Vegas style slot machines at its casinos in Hollywood and Tampa and recently added table games at the Hollywood location.

Is the legislature more concerned about the moral dilemma of promoting gambling or the size of the cut the state would receive? If it's on moral grounds, how do you explain the ever expanding state lottery that will now include Florida's participation in "powerball?"

Now that this can of worms has been opened up again, the ensuing battle should be very interesting to watch.

 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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59Cadillac read my blog
Jul 3, 2008 | 8:14 PM

I'm not sure if I understand your stance on this matter. However, even though I don't particularly care for gambling, I say good for the Seminoles. They've made a nice recovery since they were nearly killed to extinction by the United States Government barely 100 years ago.
rmj50
Jul 4, 2008 | 11:53 AM

Frank, I agree with you about this whole issue. That Rubio and his Tallahassee buddies let the Power Ball pass and yet are bucking the way that no less than $100mil a year can be put into our State operating funds. Rubio states he does not support any kind of gambling but yet his main concern stated he worries about the existing non-Indian gambling businesses. He says they could go out of business and jobs be lost. Rubio is a jerk and I feel he has too much personal interest in this whole issue either from the land law office he works for or the investments of his family/friends into the non-Indian gambling establishments.
59Cadillac read my blog
Jul 4, 2008 | 2:11 PM

If I understand the issue as it was reported on Fox News, the Seminoles were granted rights to the gambling in question by the Federal Government. And if Florida wanted a part of that action then they had to sign on prior to a certain date. The "Powers that Be" didn't act quickly enough so Charlie Christ decided to sign a deal and hope for approval later.

Now the Supreme Court has cancelled the deal, ruling Charlie Christ overstepped his authority in the first place. Now Florida has to return the money received thus far and will not benefit any further. The Seminoles still get the gambling and now will keep all of the profits. Who's the dummy here? Christ or the Supreme Court?

And if the Supreme Court decides to take away the Seminoles gaming? Well, I guess there'd be no surprise there, just another treaty broken by the US Government with the Native Americans.
rmj50
Jul 4, 2008 | 4:07 PM

Thank you, 59Cadillac, the "Fed" would have given the Seminole what they wanted and the "anals" of Florida would have let monies slip by the hands of this State getting any revenues of their operations. Charlie was very smart and saw the handwriting, and it didn't have to be on a wall. This Rubio and his legislative bunch in Tallahassee should be really looked into as to what kinds of interests these people have or hope to preserve and have.
ObedientBeast read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 9:15 AM

The Indians are going to do what they want, because they have that right. Charlie was just trying to get us a "CUT" of the action.

Can a State that is cutting back and doing without, afford to say "No Thank You" to Native America, and their promise of billions for our future.

Only a Fool walks away from "FREE MONEY".
frungi40 read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 9:41 AM

I would like to read a follow up on House Speaker Rubio and the contributors to his election campaign. If you go to the election campaign files you will find several out of state corporations who have contributed to Rubio’s campaign, it’s time to ask why would out of state corporations contribute to his election. Is it possible that these corporations own and operate parimutuel corporations in Florida and will lose some of their business?
The gambling pact with the Seminole Tribe is good for the tax payers of FL, thus it brings into question; is Rubio concerned with the people of FL he was elected to represent or is he more concerned with representing the corporations who contribute to his slush fund?
The Seminole Tribe is made up of good community minded people who are willing to share with the State of Florida and the community some of their good fortunes by giving to the State of Florida and the community a share of their income from the Casinos and by employing members of the community that are not members of the Seminole Tribe.
yellowdog read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 6:34 AM

Charlie skipped class to go to the beach to work on his tan when his civics class discussed the 3 branches of governance.

It was obvious from the git go that he had absolutely NO authority to make the deal.

The result? Millions of dollars in legal fees and costs for this "gamble gone bad". Who pays? Not Charlie...it's US the taxpayers.

We should ride him out of town on a rail.
rlynne read my blog
Jul 8, 2008 | 5:53 AM

That's why they call it gambling, he took the chance to make the bucks, he lost. But, at least he was trying to find dollars for "our" state, instead of sitting back and letting the deadline agreement go by - he chose to "act". I do think most businesses are run by taking caculated risks at some point.

The only difference is he ticked someone off and got caught. We only found out because they wanted us to, how about all of the decisions made for us that we NEVER hear about until it finally trickles down the pike to affects us?
Neanderthal read my blog
Jul 8, 2008 | 6:39 AM

Are we to believe House Speaker Marco Rubio has the best interests of the Seminole Indian Nation at heart? The one hundred million dollars @ year for Florida would have been lost to us in any case. At least it was not "lost to us" through governmental inaction.
CrankyMan read my blog view my photos
Jul 8, 2008 | 8:12 AM

Hold on folks. This is not the end of the road by any means. There can be an appeal to the US Supreme Court. You can believe the Seminoles have a few legal moves as well. The status quo will likely remain until the U.S. supreme Court rules on the matter, and the Governor may yet prevail.

Secondly, the lack of legislative approval is not the same as a denial of legislative approval.

Third, state attitudes on expanded gambling have been shifting. Latest polling shows 55 percent approval.

This issue is far from settled.
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Frank_Robertson

Anchor, FOX 13 Tampa Bay

Member Since: 8/28/2006