Peter Schorsch
Earlier this year, before the start of the 2015 regular Legislative Session, House Speaker Steve Crissafulli articulated a very clear and prescient position on the state’s approach toward gambling. Notably, he asked, “What do we get from the Seminole Gaming Compact and do we want to offer parity to pari-mutuels?’
As a seventh-generation Floridian, Crisafulli asked what the Legislature would do to support Florida’s generational businesses. Why would the Legislature continue to enrich and enhance the opportunity of the Seminole Tribe over the interests of multigenerational family businesses that have operated in Florida for decades? Businesses that strongly support their local communities, give generously to local charities, and employ thousands of Floridians.
The release of the governor’s compact agreement with the Seminole Tribe reminded me of those issues this week, as legislators and pari-mutuel interests outside of South Florida cried foul over being excluded and even punished in the governor’s proposal.
The governor managed to craft an agreement that intensified the gaming debate and clearly defined winners and losers. Five of the six counties that voted to authorize slot machines have been denied the opportunity to operate. The facilities that operated designated players games which had clearly been authorized by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will only be permitted to operate watered-down games that aren’t economically viable.
The governor’s compact proposal will serve as the largest expansion of gambling in Florida’s history. New slot machines in Palm Beach County, a stand-alone casino in Miami-Dade county, and new Class III casino games for the Seminoles including craps and roulette.
Whether the Legislature finds that palatable remains to be seen. But what is clear, proposing a massive gambling expansion at the expense and punishment of family-owned business in the remaining 64 counties is unfair and unjust. After years of debate and posturing the governor’s compact found a way to ensure that if you’re a pari-mutuel outside of South Florida your outlook today is actually worse than it was yesterday.
I can’t help but ask the question, why does the compact treat pari-mutuels outside of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties so poorly?
2 comments
Frank Mirabella
December 12, 2015 at 11:04 am
It sounds like your helping Speaker Crissafulli lobby
for the Pari-mutuel’s, you don’t need to feel sorry for them. They already own the Florida Legislature and most other public officials that are important to them. In 1986 the forces of education had to overcome the Pari-mutuel industry and rise up and pass a citizens iniative amendment to authorize the Florida Lottery. In recent years they tried to block veterans and non-profits from any bingo game enhancements in addition to opposing any other form of gaming interests legislation. They are a zero sum based outfit that oppose anyone that could compete with them for a dollar without any concern for the public’s interests. Your time could be much better spent advocating for some other causes that might be of benefit the general public.
Joseph
December 12, 2015 at 4:55 pm
I mean this post is kinda idiotic imo and here’s why. “As a seventh generation Floridian, Crisafulli asked what the Legislature would do to support Florida’s generational businesses. Why would the Legislature continue to enrich and enhance the opportunity of the Seminole Tribe over the interests of multi-generational family businesses who have operated in Florida for decades? Businesses which strongly support their local communities, give generously to local charities, and employ thousands of Floridians.” Crissafulli needs to wake up and realize that the Seminole have been here way longer than his 7 gestation faimly. Also the Seminole help there local community’s as the rest of Florida. Brest cancer, education, veterans, the less fortunate, ect. Not to mention the 3billion dollar promised to the state of Florida which is way more than any other casino promised to a state.
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