Few observers of Florida’s gambling mess are surprised that it has come to this puzzling point.

The state Supreme Court has thrown out an agreement Gov. Charlie Crist made that allowed the state to collect truck loads of taxes from the state’s tribal casinos. If no replacement deal is made, the federal government is likely to give the casinos slot machines tax-free.

A majority of the Legislature might refuse any deal in order to take a high-profile stand against the expansion of gambling. The fear of such political posturing is why Crist tried to cut lawmakers out of the process.

His contract with the tribes was a good one but he was wrong to try to stretch his executive power. He gave the tribes the right to conduct table card games that would be illegal elsewhere in Florida.

In December we urged Crist to submit his plan to the Legislature for ratification and not wait until the Florida Supreme Court ordered him to. The court was exactly right when it said last week that the governor lacks the power "to bind the state to a compact that violates Florida law."

Source:http://www.casinonews.org/