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In Gambling Negotiations, Apparent Impasse And Anger

Posted May 6, 2009 by William March

Updated May 6, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Negotiations between the state House and Senate over how much to expand gambling in Florida appear to be at an impasse, despite pressure from Gov. Charlie Crist for the two sides to reach an agreement.

As he did yesterday, Crist took the unusual step of showing up for a meeting of the negotiators that just concluded, a way of demonstrating his concern and pushing the two sides to reach an agreement. Also attending were tribal leaders and their representatives.

But he can’t have been encouraged with what he saw: The top House negotiator, state Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, accusing the Senate of “going backward” in the negotiations and then stalking out of the room as the meeting adjourned, with a closing comment that suggested there might be no more meetings.

Based on comments by Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, the chief Senate negotiator, the Seminole tribe apparently has said it won’t accept the limits the House wants to put on expansion of various kinds of games. The Senate previously had agreed to some of those limits.

So at the meeting, instead of offering more concessions, Alexander actually pulled back from the previous ones, proposing to allow the Seminoles full, banked card games, including blackjack, at all its casinos, including the Hard Rock casino in Tampa. Instead he offered concessions in other areas of the complex legislation that covers Seminole gambling, the parimutuel industry and the taxation and regulation of both.

Galvano clearly was not pleased.

“It appears the Senate, with all due respect, is moving backwards,” he responded. He said the House negotiators would consider the Senate offer, and added, “We’ll let you know if it’s necessary to meet again.” Then he strode quickly out of the room, avoiding reporters and others who sought to talk to him.