In Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s office has confirmed that ongoing talks with Seminole tribe representatives may lead to a revised gaming compact to present to legislators. The tribe says it is too soon to comment but a new agreement is likely to mean the state ends up with a larger annual payment from tribal gaming revenue.

Yesterday three of Florida’s leading business groups declared their strong support for the Seminole Compact negotiated by Gov. Charlie Crist. Citing the need for jobs and investment to kick-start Florida’s flagging economy, the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Florida United Businesses Association (FUBA) endorsed the Compact and called for its ratification to create new Florida jobs and spur hundreds of millions in new investment and economic impact.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has committed to significant expansion at four of its casino complexes if the Florida Legislature ratifies the Compact, which will create 45,000 new Florida jobs that will stay in Florida and cannot be outsourced. Rick McAllister, president of the Florida Retail Federation, said, “The Seminole Compact is exactly the invigorating jolt of investment that Florida needs to strengthen our ailing economy. We support the Compact and call for its ratification as soon as possible.”

“Many Florida workers, families and businesses are suffering from this economic downturn and are looking to Tallahassee for leadership to help pull our economy out of this slump,” said Tom Stahl, executive director of the Florida United Businesses Association. “Ratifying the Seminole gaming compact now would be a good first step in helping get Florida’s economy back on its feet.”

According to economic projections, the Compact will inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Florida’s economy in the form of payrolls by direct employment by the Tribe, as well as millions more from construction jobs, development contracts and an economic multiplier effect that will ripple through thousands of businesses across Florida.

“The economic benefits from ratifying the Seminole Compact would not be limited to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, but would ripple across all of Florida’s economy,” said Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “That is why we endorse the Seminole Compact and support its ratification by the Florida Legislature.”

There is no other plan under legislative consideration today that offers so many new jobs and so many needed dollars at a time when Florida is losing both. Education groups including the Florida Education Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and the Florida School Boards Association have also endorsed the Seminole Compact as a ready solution to help stave off devastating cuts in education.

The Compact would yield $288 million to the state budget this year, with a minimum of $2.5 billion in additional funds over the next 25 years, and the governor has called for 95% of these funds to support education. (E-04.15.09)

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