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Florida's Legislature Split Over Gambling22 November 2002FLORIDA – As reported by the Tampa Tribune: "Just days after the Legislature's new Republican leaders promised a united front in tackling a looming fiscal crisis, a debate over expanding legalized gambling is dividing them. "House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R- Plant City, in a statement released late Thursday afternoon all but ruled out new gambling options in Florida to generate tax money to pay for a worrisome list of high-cost needs. "…Although Byrd stopped short of vowing to block any legislative attempt to expand gambling next year, his strongly worded position contrasts with the other two Republican leaders - Gov. Jeb Bush and Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville. "King, who was not available for comment Thursday, has said new taxes and expanded gambling must be considered as the state faces a staggering financial crunch. "And Bush, a longtime detractor of state-sanctioned gambling in general, repeated Thursday night that it's too early to rule out anything. "…Florida's dog-racing and horse-racing tracks have long pushed for the state to allow them to host other gambling options at their facilities, such as video gambling terminals…" |