by: Gene Koprowski.
Business lobbying groups in Florida are
endorsing the deal Republican Gov. Charlie Crist has reached with the
Seminole Tribe of Florida that will allow the tribe to expand at four
of its casinos.
The Seminole Compact was reached by Crist in 2007, successor to Gov. Jeb Bush, also a Republican, and will permit Las Vegas-style slot machines, baccarat, black jack and other card games at Seminole casinos.
Last year, the notorious Florida Supreme Court ruled that Crist lacked the constitutional authority to enter into such a deal without legislative approval.
But, business groups, including the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Restaurant Lodging Association, favor the deal, which, according to one forecast, will bring in $288 million to the state budget and create 45,000 new jobs in the state.
“The economic benefits from ratifying the Seminole Compact would not be limited to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but would ripple across all of Florida’s economy,” said Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant Lodging Association (RLA).
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