SLOTS REFERENDUM: Detailed Bills Are Best Bet
Editorial Board
Copyright © 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
February 12, 2005

The March 8 ballot deals with slot machines, but it might as well be a game of craps that's up for approval if voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are forced to roll the dice on a gaming proposal backed by little more than guesstimates.

In November, voters approved a referendum to allow local voters to decide whether to permit slot machine casinos in existing pari-mutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Voters were promised that the slot machine revenue would be taxed, and the money would "supplement" the state's education budget. That's similar to a pitch made by Florida Lottery advocates years ago.

Floridians, however, were later sorely disappointed when Lottery proceeds didn't significantly boost Tallahassee's education budget. Considering the skepticism that abounds, one would think today's pro-gaming crowd would go out of its way to provide fine print details demonstrating why the outcome would be different this time around.

Instead, the slogan now seems to be, "Vote `yes' and then pray for three cherries."

Even if voters give a thumbs-up to the slots on March 8, the Legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush will have a final say on key decisions about casino operations. Those include the percentage of gaming dollars that will be taxed for education and how many slot machines will be permitted at the horse and dog tracks and jai-alai frontons. Tallahassee would also set the hours of operation.

These are critical details because they ultimately will determine how much money the pari-mutuels will generate for schools.

Another question is whether the Broward and Miami-Dade school districts should get a higher share of casino money. Should voters cast votes without an indication of whether this will be the case?

Florida lawmakers owe it to voters to specifically outline the framework for regulating pari-mutuel slot machines. Since the 60-day legislative session starts on the same day voters go to the polls, it would be impossible for the Legislature to pass bills before then. However, House and Senate committees have begun planning for the session. Several lawmakers are already drafting bills addressing gaming issues.

Lawmakers must try to drum up consensus behind specific regulatory guidelines before the polls open. No, it wouldn't be the equivalent of signed-and-sealed legislation, but at least it would give voters a better idea of how much of a benefit pari-mutuel casinos will be to school districts.

Isn't that the reason slots are on the ballot in the first place?