Jim Rosica
The head of an anti-casino gambling organization has again written to top lawmakers, saying the Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s commitment to keep paying gambling revenue share should shut down further talks on a Special Session.
“Doesn’t today’s commitment by the Seminole Tribe to continue making compact payments resolve the potential revenue loss concern that legislative leaders said was the basis for holding a special session?” No Casinos’ president John Sowinski asked in a Wednesday letter.
The Tribe’s lawyer told Florida Politics earlier Wednesday his client would continue paying the state its share of Indian casino gambling revenue each month. It paid a little more than $290 million last fiscal year.
“There is no plan to stop the payments,” attorney Barry Richard said. “The Seminoles are perfectly happy with the relationship they have with the state … They don’t want to take advantage of the state economically any more than they want the state to take advantage of them.”
Legislative leaders, who failed to agree on comprehensive gambling legislation this past Regular Session, have been considering a Special Session after House Speaker Richard Corcoran last week raised concerns over the potential loss of revenue share from the Tribe.
A previous story Wednesday is here. The letter and a fact sheet Sowinski sent to legislative leaders is below.
