Florida legislators cancelled meeting

The expected debate between representatives of Florida House and Senate was cancelled after a resolution issued by the Supreme Court.

US.- Florida residents will finally decide whether to expand gaming industry or to keep Seminole’s monopoly in the state. Hours before the meeting between officials from the Florida Senate and the House of Representatives, the State’s Supreme Court ruled in favour of a proposed constitutional amendment that calls for a popular ballot to determine the future of gaming industry.

With the Supreme Court’s resolution, the amendment gives residents the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorise casino gambling,” stated Sun Sentinel. The Court’s rule was approved by 4-2 and led to cancellation of the meeting between state’s legislators, which was scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday. Both sectors of the Congress were debating possible regulations for the gaming industry, although proposals were almost opposite.

“The Supreme Court ruled today on voter control of gaming. I want to digest the decision before moving forward,” said conference chairman Sen. Bill Galvano, who introduced a bill to allow any county to approve slot machines and untangles live events from card rooms. Supporters of the gaming amendment now need to gather over 700,000 signatures to include the proposal on the 2018 ballot. The Division of Elections revealed that so far, they have achieved 74,626 signatures.

Whilst the Florida Senate has gave the green light to gaming expansion in eight states, where residents had previously chosen to legalise the industry, the House of Representatives approved a bill that extends the Seminole Native Tribe further rights in their casinos, but limit the industry to their operations in South Florida. The final version, which would be enacted after next year’s ballot, will have to be signed by Seminole Tribe and its representatives commented to the press that they do not agree with the projects.