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Seminole casino opponents fill Republican coffers12 October 2007TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- As reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "With a Seminole Tribe gambling expansion hanging over the Legislature, other casinos, pari-mutuel race tracks and gambling interests have poured $844,000 during the past three months into the party coffers of Republican legislators. "The take — roughly $1 of every $5 the state Republican party raised between July and September — comes as Gov. Charlie Crist tries to finalize a compact with the Seminoles that would let them install such table games as blackjack and craps that are not permitted at other Florida casinos. "House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, has been the fiercest critic of allowing gambling expansion. But while Republicans in Rubio's camp frequently rail against the industry, they've also been quick to take its money. "...The top three party contributors in the July-September quarter were the Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach at $165,000, Jacksonville greyhound track at $137,000 and Mardi Gras Gaming at the Hollywood Greyhound Track at $120,000, according to reports filed with the state's Division of Elections. "...Overall, gaming interests gave little to Democrats — just $32,000 to the state party, even though it is considered friendlier to the industry..." |