Crist Uses Gambling to Fund Florida Budget
Governor Charlie Crist of Florida has emerged as one of the leaders of the newly evolved Republican Party, an organization that favors economic conservatism, engagement and interaction with those holding opposing views, and libertarianism, while religious certitude and partisan hatred are in decline. One of the issues that Crist has been proactive in handling is the acceptance and regulation of gambling, and this took the forefront of Crist's new proposed state budget.
Expecting his compact with the Seminole Nation regarding the instituting of Class III slots, blackjack, and baccarat at Seminole casinos to withstand a legal challenge, Crist has planned for revenue of $130 million from the tribe's payment for those rights. In addition, with Tuesday's victory for slot machine installation at Dade County race tracks and jai-alai frontons, Crist plans for $27 million in slot revenue from the Miami area.
Furthermore, Crist is proposing an overhaul of the twenty-year-old lottery system run by the state. He would like to see the development of vending machines selling instant tickets, an advertising push to bring freshness to the lottery concept, and more drawings, including changing daily games picking three and four numbers to twice daily.
With his recent endorsement of John McCain seen as crucial in the Arizona Senator's primary victory in Florida (and perhaps the single most significant step in McCain's potential White House run), Crist's star is on the rise in Republican politics. As opposed to Jeb Bush's intransigent and ostrich-like approach to gambling, Crist signals the arrival of a Republican Party that can deal with the realities of gambling, appreciating the benefits of a major source of funds while seeing the wisdom of regulation rather than outlawing the industry.
