MEMORANDUM: THE SEMINOLE COMPACT ACCORDS
April 22, 2009
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Media
FROM: Erin Isaac, Governor’s Communications Director
RE: The Seminole Compact Accords
Included in this memo are the following:
· Statement from Governor Charlie Crist
· Statements from the Seminole Tribe of Florida Representatives
· What Floridians can expect as a result of the Compact Accords
· The Seminole Compact Accords Timeline
Attached to this memo are the following:
· Draft Bill language submitted to the Legislature for consideration
· Compact Between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida as originally signed on November 14, 2007
Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida today released detailed results of The Seminole Compact Accords. The Seminole Compact Accords effectively represent an addendum to the original Compact first negotiated between Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
They also reflect substantive input generated in special committees convened by both the Florida Senate and Florida House to look into terms for a Seminole Compact which would become state law.
Approval now rests with Members in both Chambers of the Florida Legislature, who have been openly and publicly looking for ways to responsibly address Florida’s budget deficit.
Statement by
GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST
Regarding The Seminole Compact Accords
“As the members of the Florida House and the Florida Senate continue their great work under these historically challenging economic times, I am pleased to announce that continued negotiations with The Seminole Tribe of Florida have resulted in more funding for Florida’s students. I am grateful to the Tribe for their desire to contribute even more – $600 million alone for budget year 2009-2010 – to maintaining a quality education for our children.”
Statements by
THE SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVES
Regarding The Seminole Compact Accords
“This is an important agreement for the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe. I want to personally thank Governor Crist and the leaders of the Florida Senate and House for all of their hard work in helping to make this happen,” said Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Seminole Tribe of Florida.
“It has been a true pleasure to work with Governor Crist and representatives of the State of Florida. The Governor recognizes the meaningful contribution of the Seminoles to the history and culture of our state, and his support of the Tribe is very much appreciated,” said James F. Allen, CEO of Gaming Operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
WHAT FLORIDIANS CAN EXPECT AS A RESULT OF
THE SEMINOLE COMPACT ACCORDS
On top of the 45,000 new Florida jobs it will potentially create, it provides the following:
· Financial Relief: An up-front payment of $600-million to help alleviate the state’s multi-billion-dollar deficit without having to resort to painful remedies; $1.1 billion in new revenue available for Florida over the first two years.
· Education Funding: Dollars available for education are equivalent to paying the salaries of more than 12,000 Florida school teachers.
· Solidity: Utilizes the financial strength of the Seminole Tribe – the only investment grade gaming company in the world today.
· Jobs: Generates a projected 45,000 new Florida jobs at a time of record unemployment in the state, and establishes Florida as a “destination resort” with more choices than ever before. The Seminole Compact Accords would also protect the jobs of thousands of Floridians currently employed by the gaming industry.
· Limits Expansion/Access: Limits gaming to existing locations currently operating or authorized to operate; the Tribe also agrees to adhere to the state’s age limits.
· Competitive Concessions: Recognizing many legislators’ concerns for providing Florida’s pari-mutuels with a level playing field, the Tribe has agreed to a number of concessions that will help the state’s pari-mutuel industry including allowing 24-hour operations, adjusting poker limits, ATMs on the casino floor and credits to players club members.
Further, the Tribe confirmed today that they would support the proposed 15% tax rollback requested by pari-mutuels on all Class III gaming operations for the benefit of all of the state’s pari-mutuels and racing-related interests.
Approval now rests with Members in both Chambers of the Florida Legislature, who have been openly and publicly looking for ways to address Florida’s huge budget deficit.
Results from several recent polls reveal a majority of Floridians support the Seminole Compact. Public support also includes endorsements from the Florida Education Association, Florida School Boards Association, Florida Association of District School Superintendents, Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Florida United Businesses Association. Additionally, a number of Florida newspapers have editorialized in favor of the Seminole Compact, including the St. Petersburg Times, Bradenton Herald, Tallahassee Democrat, Tampa Tribune, Charlotte Sun and Ft. Myers News-Press.
THE SEMINOLE COMPACT ACCORDS TIMELINE
OCTOBER 17, 1988: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is enacted, which permits a tribe to compact with a state for Class III gaming activities permitted by the state for any purpose by any person, organization or entity.
JANUARY 29, 1991: Seminole Tribe makes written request to Florida Governor Lawton Chiles to negotiate a Class III gaming compact, based on the various forms of Class III gaming permitted under Florida law (such as the Florida Lottery).
MAY 1999: Seminole Tribe requests “procedures” to conduct Class III gaming from the Secretary of the Interior in lieu of a compact, under new federal regulations.
NOVEMBER 2 2004: Florida voters approve initiative to amend State Constitution to permit slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities in Broward County and Miami-Dade County if subsequently approved by voters.
2005-2007: Voters in Broward (March 8, 2005) and Miami-Dade (July 10, 2007) approve slot machines at a total of seven pari-mutuel facilities.
NOVEMBER 5 2007: Secretary of the Interior notifies State and the Tribe that he will issue procedures authorizing the Tribe to conduct Class III gaming if a compact is not submitted for approval by November 15, 2007.
NOVEMBER 14, 2007: Governor Charlie Crist and Seminole Chairman Mitchell Cypress sign Class III gaming compact which provides for the operation of slot machines, banked card games and other games; Tribe agrees to pay State $375 million over the first three years of the Compact and at least $100 million per year thereafter for “substantial exclusivity” to offer the games.
JANUARY 7, 2008: Notice is published in the Federal Register that the Compact is deemed and approved by operation of law.
JANUARY 28, 2008: Seminole Tribe begins offering Class III slot machines.
JUNE 22. 2008: Seminole Tribe opens first Class III banked card games.
JULY 3, 2008: Florida Supreme Court rules that Governor Crist did not have the authority to compact for banked card games without the approval or ratification by the Florida Legislature.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2008: Florida Supreme Court refuses to reconsider its decision.
DECEMBER 9, 2008: Seminole Tribe seeks review of decision by U.S. Supreme Court.
JANUARY – APRIL, 2009: The Florida Senate and House of Representatives establish special legislative committees to review the Seminole Gaming Compact and hear public testimony; the Tribe presents to both committees.
APRIL 22, 2009: Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe work together to announce the Seminole Compact Accords – an historic and unprecedented offer that immediately provides the State of Florida $600 million and helps provide relief for the state’s financial crisis.