Florida Governor Will Use Transit Session to Address Gambling
Almost since the day he began his tenure as governor of Florida, Charlie Crist has been in a wrangle with legislators over state gambling laws. Now, Crist may use a special session of lawmakers called to discuss mass transit as a way to put an end to the gambling debates.
Crist's term as governor was only days old when he was forced to deal with a ticking time bomb in the presence of an unresolved Seminole gaming compact. Due to negligence by Jeb Bush's administration, Crist had an urgent deadline to reach a deal, or face a possible unilateral move by the tribe that would expand gambling without paying Florida a penny.
Crist quickly reached an agreement, giving Seminole casinos the same slot games available at racinos in South Florida as well as exclusive table games. In return, the tribe would pay the state at least $100 million a year.
But state lawmakers said the governor had overreached his authority, and the state Supreme Court agreed, voiding the deal.
Lawmakers then took months to pass a very similar package, and, with some tweaking of details, Crist was able to get Seminole leaders to again agree to the compact. But legislators had adjourned, and said they would not reconvene to discuss gambling, leaving the issue hanging until 2010.
Now, Senate President Jeff Atwater wants a legislative special session to discuss funding for high-speed rail traffic to link the state, and Crist is all for it...especially if gambling is addressed at the same time.
“That’s a great idea,” Crist said.
