Gaming News

Florida speaker attacks governor's plan

BRADENTON, Florida -- As reported by the Florida Herald Tribune: "Just 10 days before the start of the annual state Legislative session, Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio drew an even firmer line in the sand against Gov. Charlie Crist's proposals to expand gambling and the lottery to balance the budget.

"Rubio, R-West Miami, said Saturday that he does not believe expanding either one will produce the revenue the state is looking for.

"But more importantly, he said it is morally wrong to attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and the working class.

"...The difficult economy and the resulting drop in revenues has state lawmakers grappling with an estimated $3 billion shortfall in the state budget.

"Rubio, 36, says the budget problems must be solved with deep spending cuts that could mean eliminating whole government agencies. But Crist is looking for ways to boost state revenues to reduce the severity of the cuts Rubio is considering.

"In his proposed budget, Crist counts on increasing lottery profits by about $250 million through more advertising, vending machines and other sales-boosting tactics.

"And he is also counting on bringing in another $131 million from expanded gambling at Seminole Indian casinos. Crist signed a compact with the Seminoles to expand casino gambling, but the Legislature has challenged the deal in the Florida Supreme Court..."

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