Bradenton's Rep. Galvano and Crist discuss gambling compact
By Jeremy Wallace
H-T Political Writer
© 2010 Sarasota HeraldTribune
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Less than 24 hours after imploring the Legislature to approve a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist met with the lead House negotiator to continue to press the issue.
Crist and State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, met for about 30 minutes Wednesday to talk about the negotiations that have been dragging on for more than a year.
"I assured the governor that we can reach a deal with the tribe," Galvano said in a telephone interview after the meeting.
But it will not be the same deal that Crist and the Seminoles proposed to the Florida Legislature late last year that would have allowed blackjack and other banked card games at all seven of the tribe's Florida casinos.
Galvano and the Legislature have advocated for expanded card games at just four of the seven casinos to protect the pari-mutuel industry, which also provides tax revenues to the state. Galvano said he is working with the Seminoles on a new deal that can be presented to the governor.
Blackjack is already being offered at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, even though a new compact has not been approved. Galvano has argued that the card games are being offered illegally, given that the previous gaming deal that would have allowed them was rejected by the Legislature.
Crist, in his State of the State speech on Tuesday, prodded the Legislature to approve the gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe. Crist has estimated that more than $400 million in revenue would come to the state this year if a deal is reached.
In his speech, Crist told lawmakers that he was not "a big fan of gambling" either. But he urged "realism."
"Given the fact that Florida desperately needs the money -- and given that gambling already occurs in our state -- and given that we all love freedom, doesn't it make sense to let people exercise their freedom in a way that directs money to Florida's citizens?" Crist said. "Wouldn't it be appropriate to set aside personal biases and approve a compact that will help pay to educate Florida's schoolchildren?"
Galvano said he does not disagree with Crist on that point. He said he told Crist that the Legislature wants to gain access to the potential gambling revenues, too.
"I assured him that is our goal as well," Galvano said.