Florida Senate Steams Ahead with Gambling Package

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- As reported by the Orlando Sentinel: "With gambling a central debate in the Legislature's budget battle, the Senate steamed ahead with its casino gambling package Tuesday,
  setting up a three-week cliffhanger on whether Republican legislative leaders can cut a deal on a sensitive political issue.

"The budget-writing Ways and Means Committee approved a measure, on an 11-7 vote, to give Seminole resorts full casinos, complete with craps tables and roulette wheels.

"Another bill to give blackjack to South Florida racetracks and jai-alai frontons is scheduled for a Monday vote.

"The Senate is pitching its gambling deal as a must-have at a time of sharply declining revenues. Legislators are in session until May 1, but they're off the rest of this week for the Easter and Passover holidays. That leaves just three weeks to hammer out a deal..."