Home › Business News › Business news
Governor asks Florida court to reconsider its rejection of gaming deal
RELATED STORIES
- Seminole Tribe seeks another hearing on gambling issue
- Federal judge says he can’t stop blackjack at Seminole casinos
- Locals still optimistic about future of expanded gaming in Immokalee
More Business news
- Foreclosures will be here for a while, expert says
- Obama plans to tap Fed official at Treasury
- Marco Community Bancorp launches private placement stock offering
Tell us about it
- What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
- Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
- Upload photos & videos
- More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.
STORY TOOLS
Share and Enjoy [?]
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist isn’t ready to fold as his attorneys Friday appealed to the Florida Supreme Court to reverse its decision that voided an agreement to expand Indian gambling in Immokalee and other venues.
Two weeks after the court unanimously rejected the governor’s deal with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida, Crist’s attorneys urged justices to reconsider their opinion and allow the governor to cut a deal without legislative approval.
“The Court has misapprehended longstanding jurisdictional principles and dramatically expanded its own jurisdiction…,” lawyers for Crist submitted to the court. “The Court’s decision constitutes a sea change.”
On July 3, the court threw out an agreement worked out by the governor and tribe, which operates seven casinos across the state including the one in Immokalee.
Facing a federal deadline for action, the governor’s agreement allowed the Seminoles to operate black jack, baccarat and other Las Vegas-style games that boost possible winnings.
Legislative leaders led by House Speaker Marco Rubio filed suit to block the deal, saying any agreement had to be approved by lawmakers.
The Legislature asserted Crist overstepped his bounds despite assurances that the high-stakes card games and slot machines would net the state at least $50 million a year.
Legislative leaders said lawmakers must ratify any pact on the issue because the state expressly forbids casino gambling outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where voters approved gaming by recent referenda.
Attorneys for Crist say that the governor has merely exercised his authority to enter into contracts without legislative oversight. The state constitution, Crist’s attorneys claimed, is mute on the issue.
That silence was telling, said Barry Richard, attorney representing the Seminole Tribe, earlier this year.
“The Florida Constitution does not speak to this issue at all,” Richard argued. “What the Florida Constitution says ... is that one branch cannot interfere or exercise those powers that have been expressly and inclusively given to another branch.”
Legislative leaders successfully argued that other courts in other states have thrown out similar proposals.
Crist’s filing Friday asked the state’s top court to reconsider its decision. Given the 7-0 decision, a reversal is unlikely.
Contact Michael Peltier at mpeltier1234@comcast.net
Comments
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. Break our rules, and we will ban you. No exceptions, no second chances. Read our privacy policy & user agreement.
Post your comment
(Requires free registration.)