State shouldn't depend on gambling revenue

State shouldn't depend on gambling revenue
EDITORIAL
Posted in: N-J Editorials

The battle lines are becoming clearer in what's shaping up as the biggest and most expensive showdown in Tallahassee this spring -- the clash over a proposal to allow Las Vegas-style casino gambling in Florida.

Gov. Rick Scott still hasn't tipped his hand on the issue, although it was reported last year that he was open to allowing large casino resorts in the state.

Uncharacteristically, the governor has stepped lightly around the question of whether gambling in the state should be expanded, saying in several interviews last year that he didn't want the state budget to become "dependent on gaming."

It's not clear whether Scott has resolved this concern; he hasn't spoken out on a plan to allow three huge casinos in South Florida. An expansion of gambling obviously will have an impact on state revenues, and the prospect of having a significant new revenue source is a key incentive for lawmakers and the governor to go all in on gaming.

Campaign contributors provide incentives of their own. According to a report from the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau, casino interests contributed $200,000 to the Florida Republican Party between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. During the same period, the state Democratic Party received $103,000 from those same interests.

Anti-gambling forces also are contributing heavily to the parties and committees run by lawmakers, the Times/Herald reported. In the last half of 2011, Walt Disney World companies, an opponent of the casino proposal, donated $672,000 to the parties and lawmaker committees.

Floridians should pay close attention to this high-powered campaign donor smackdown -- and to the debate over the real economic value of gambling.

Scott and most lawmakers oppose new taxes. Yet some in Tallahassee take a different view of the so-called "voluntary tax" -- government's take from gambling enterprises.

The question that will soon figure prominently in the debate is whether gambling proponents have seriously considered the potential negative impact of gambling on the budget -- in costs stemming from compulsive and problem gambling, increased crime, broken families and other social maladies.

These social costs also shadow casino supporters' argument that the resorts will generate big economic benefits. Through the years, Florida has done quite well promoting family-friendly tourism. Lawmakers need to think about the impact a change in the state's image might have on tourism. A "what happens in Florida, stays in Florida" theme might not jell with the marketing of Disney and sunny beaches.

Scott should take a clear stand on the casino proposal, sponsored by Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Launderdale. In the past, Scott has observed that gambling revenues tend to fluctuate, making it difficult to plan budgets.

Sen. Bogdanoff's bill, which already has been amended to open the door to a major expansion of gambling at pari-mutuel betting sites, could make gambling revenues a major factor in budget deliberations.

Interestingly, Bogdanoff has abandoned her effort to link the plan for authorizing new casinos with a measure that would shut down Internet cafes. Her bill would block new Internet cafes from opening, but leave the existing, $1 billion industry in place, the Palm Beach Post reported.

Opponents of the mega-casinos will work to expose the dark underbelly of glitzy big-time gambling. The list of those who think the destination resort measure is a bad idea includes powerful Republicans such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and state Sen. John Thrasher, who represents part of Volusia County and most of Flagler County.

Some big-name Democrats, including former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and former state Sen. Dan Gelber, also have joined the opposition to the casino measure.

Thrasher has noted that the casino bill would bring "a major change in the culture and brand of Florida." We see little value -- and many potential problems -- in making the state's economy and political system more dependent on gambling.