Gambling Expansion Allows Growth in Florida School Districts

Florida voters approved a ballot initiative that authorize the expansion of gambling in some Florida counties, including Miami County in return for a big return for education.  The initiative would authorize Florida counties to hold separate referendums that will let voters decide whether to allow Las –Vegas style slot machines at dog and horse racetracks in South Florida. 

The debate over the gambling expansion is very political.  Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, and other prominent lawmakers in the GOP Legislature are greatly opposed to efforts to broaden gaming in Florida.  Proponents of the gambling expansion are attempting to guarantee that the new slots will provide millions of dollars each year for Florida education. 

Bush is warning voters against this education promise.  He believes that the big casinos are enticing voters with a hollow promise of more education funding.  Bush contends that the true costs are significant and real, which is the potential long-term decay of Florida’s traditional industries and the social fabric of the communities.