In the wake of voters' adoption of an expensive class-size reduction amendment in November, other social spending demands and a struggling economy, state lawmakers will face the daunting challenge of balancing the state's $50 billion budget in the new legislative session. And one leading lawmaker has an idea for how to make-up the projected $2 billion revenue shortfall - expansion of gambling in the Sunshine State.

Within weeks of the election, incoming Senate President Jim King (R-Jacksonville) floated the idea of permitting video lottery terminals - high-tech slot machines - at greyhound tracks, horse tracks and jai alai frontons. And, Governor Jeb Bush acknowledged he might consider it. "I'm not shutting out any options. We're going to go through this in a thoughtful way," Bush said.

These comments contrasted sharply with what the governor told me in an Oct. 26 interview, published in the Oct. 31, 2002, issue of the Witness. To the question of whether there is too little, too much or just enough state-sponsored gambling, Bush said, "I have opposed the expansion of gambling and it's been my opposition that has stopped the expansion of gambling. I have vetoed bills. Bills have not gotten through the legislature because people know my consistent opposition to gambling. I would like to see less, but we certainly don't (need to) have more."

Responding to my follow-up question, "So, you would oppose any further expansion of gambling that would be attempted in the future?" Bush answered, "Yes, sir."

While new gambling revenues were not a part of Bush's proposed 2003-2004 budget introduced last week, he has not ruled-out entirely the possibility. Still, on Jan. 20, The Florida Times-Union quoted the governor as saying, "Gambling's bad - bad for families, bad for the economy." Fortunately, there appears to be strong opposition to gambling expansion in the other chamber of the Legislature, led by new House Speaker Johnnie Byrd (R-Plant City).

Nevertheless, King has continued his gambling expansion campaign, most recently with a Jan. 7 op-ed in The Tallahassee Democrat.

Defending the video lottery terminals (VLTs) idea, King explained, "Visitors to these pari-mutuel facilities, including thousands of tourists annually, are already involved in responsible wagering. It is the belief of many that the addition of VLTs would simply add another entertainment option - an option that is already available at Indian casinos in Miami, Hollywood and Tampa, and on gambling cruise ships operating out of Florida ports."

Since the VLTs would be added to existing facilities, King denies such a new stream of gambling enterprise would represent an expansion of gambling in Florida. "I do not look at the VLT proposal as an expansion of gambling; I look at it as a possible expansion of revenue." That kind of rhetorical gymnastics reminds me of a certain former president's hairsplitting, parsing of words.

Claiming that VLTs might bring-in as much as $2 billion in new revenue, King writes, "To those of us faced with making tough budgetary decisions, those numbers jump off the page."

Although he says VLTs would not be considered in a "perfect world," King says it may be "the least offensive answer to an otherwise overwhelming problem."

King promised fair and open hearings on VLTs and said that he and his fellow senators "will carefully consider all the consequences of this decision and we will only move forward if it is in the best interests of all Floridians, and if there is a reasonable chance for the Senate's actions to become implemented."

The consequences of more gambling in Florida is not difficult to predict - more family destruction, more organized crime, more addicts. That this would come as a result of more government-sanctioned activity makes it that much more evil.

George Greene of No Casinos Inc. told The Florida Times-Union in November that Florida will face huge social costs with the introduction of VLTs, noting that the quick-moving nature of video lottery makes it more addictive than other forms of gambling. "People call that the 'crack cocaine' of gambling," Greene said.

The challenge to balance the state's finances is no small matter. But our elected representatives knowingly took this responsibility when they sought the offices they now occupy. This burden must not be used as an excuse to enhance the reach of the gambling industry in our economy and society. And, it's no excuse for the Legislature to become even more addicted to gaming revenues.

Florida Baptists need to watch carefully the activities of our Legislature as it convenes in March, and we need to make our voices heard in this debate about the future well being of our state. Tell Sen. King and his colleagues that the governor is correct - gambling is bad for our economy and families. Tell Sen. King to drop the gambling revenue habit so that more lives will not be harmed with this powerful addiction.