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Florida Mayor Makes Case for VLTs20 March 2003TALLAHASSEE, Florida – As reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Mayor Becky Tooley of Coconut Creek leaned across the conference table in a senator's office and started arguing the state's need for video lottery machines. It was the beginning of a lobbying effort that is one of her main reasons for being in the state capital this week. "The senator, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who is Senate president pro tempore and a member of the GOP Senate leadership, had set aside five minutes for Tooley and other Coconut Creek officials. "…De la Portilla, R-Miami, wanted to hear about Coconut Creek's experience with video slot machines, which some think is an easy way to raise $1.5 billion for the beleaguered state budget. He is among senators sponsoring a bill that would bring video lottery machines to pari-mutuel facilities. "…If the state gets more revenue, it will have less reason to cut money earmarked for Coconut Creek, city officials reason. "Tooley told de la Portilla a deal had been negotiated with the Seminoles, giving Coconut Creek about $1.5 million annually. "…Addressing Tooley, de la Portilla said, `Mayor, you are preaching to the choir with me. But it would be helpful, very helpful if you talked to the governor.' "Gov. Jeb Bush has been cool to the idea of allowing video lottery machines at pari-mutuel facilities, as de la Portilla's bill would permit…" |