7/03/2008
Compact compacted
The Florida Supremes today voided the governor's gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.
The court isn't saying governors can't do compacts with Indian tribes, but when a compact goes against existing laws? Well, we can't have that sort of thing. The Fla. Constitution is pretty vague about separation of powers, but if this doesn't violate it, nothing does. (Full ruling on the Court's site here. It's really long because it includes the entire compact at the end.)
Paradoxically, this could be a victory for gambling interests. The tribe might go ahead with games without a compact (and likely with the blessing of the Dept of Interior) and the parimutuels will be all over the Legislature to authorize every kind of gaming imaginable in response.
No word yet from the governor's office.
The court isn't saying governors can't do compacts with Indian tribes, but when a compact goes against existing laws? Well, we can't have that sort of thing. The Fla. Constitution is pretty vague about separation of powers, but if this doesn't violate it, nothing does. (Full ruling on the Court's site here. It's really long because it includes the entire compact at the end.)
Paradoxically, this could be a victory for gambling interests. The tribe might go ahead with games without a compact (and likely with the blessing of the Dept of Interior) and the parimutuels will be all over the Legislature to authorize every kind of gaming imaginable in response.
No word yet from the governor's office.
Labels: Charlie Crist, Courts
