"Taking risks, like going double-or-nothing, spending your last $1 bill on a slot machine or picking a certain number when the odds are down, can be uncomfortable and scary. It also sometimes pays off.

The Florida Legislature is halfway through its annual 60-day assembly and is looking at the sparse state budget to analyze what programs belong in the “keep” or “cut” category. The University of West Florida has cut almost $10 million from its budget since 2007, but a new proposal could supply funding to Florida schools: gambling. Yet, the Legislature is still debating the issue. Some legislators seem to favor sacrificing the opportunity for important economic growth in return for maintaining outdated moral values.

It would be hypocritical if we didn’t support this compact, which could bring as much as $1 billion per year to the Florida education system.

The contract would revamp the current gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe, though the House and Senate are approaching the plan from different angles. The Senate plan would allow the tribe to build full casinos in Florida, which could turn a tourist trap like Miami into the new Vegas or Biloxi. The House plan would remove blackjack and other game tables but allow slot machines.

Thankfully, Crist has urged his fellow lawmakers to support the proposal, though he signed the current, limited-gaming compact in 2007. This marked change in his stance on the issue verifies the importance of this proposal."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Don’t gamble on education (The Voyager 4/10)