Florida Gears for Fight in Supreme Court Over Gambling

This afternoon, Florida House Legislature Speaker, Marco Rubio had papers filed in the Supreme Court to stop the compact that was signed by Governor Charlie Crist that would allow the Seminole Indian Tribe to expand gambling on their seven existing properties in the state.

Rubio asked the justices to void the compact that would allow for the Tribe to offer black jack, baccarat and other table games, as well as Vegas-style slots in exchange for hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

Rubio is a staunch opponent of gambling, but insists he is defending the Legislature's constitutional authority to make policy. The suit claims that Crist overstepped his authority in making the deal, saying that the attempt by the Governor to re-write policy and alter Florida law is directly contrary to Florida law and violates Florida's separation of powers doctrine.

The petition was written by University of Florida law professor Jon Mills, who himself is a former House Speaker.

Florida was given a deadline by the federal government to enter into a compact that would benefit both the state and the Indians, or they would step in to allow the Tribe expanded gambling and the state would receive nothing in return.