House panel approves video lotteries with no debate

TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – A Florida House panel approved April 30 a measure allowing the introduction of video lottery terminals (VLTs) at pari-mutuel facilities across the state, stunning Florida Baptist Convention legislative consultant Bill Bunkley.

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“It’s unbelievable,” Bunkley told Florida Baptist Witness minutes after the Environment & Natural Resources Council approved an amendment to HB 1551 dealing with patents for the Florida Lottery.

Although several council members complained that the 26-page amendment had been filed only 30 minutes before meeting convened, the panel overwhelmingly approved the amended bill with no debate on the substance of the VLTs measure, which several members acknowledged as being very controversial.

Bunkley and other anti-gambling opponents have previously called VLTs the “crack cocaine” of gambling in light of its highly addictive nature.

“This is an example of government at its worst,” Bunkley told the Witness. Because the measure was added unexpectedly to the panel’s agenda, Bunkley was unable to get to the meeting before it adjourned after only 15 minutes Monday afternoon.

Bunkley expressed frustration that a major piece of legislation of this nature would be considered at a “hastily called, last minute, previously unscheduled meeting” and not be heard by committees with the more appropriate jurisdiction, citing the Jobs and Entrepreneurship Council and the Policy and Budget Council.

“This is an example of all the ‘fun and games’ that the general public decries during the last week of a legislative session,” Bunkley said. “No bills of this comprehensive nature should be put in play on the final days of the session.”

Asked what the prospects are for passage of the legislation on the House floor, Bunkley told the Witness: “I have no idea. I have no comment. I’m stunned by this development.”

Sponsor of the VLTs measure Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid, told the panel the measure is projected to raise $1 billion annually in tax revenues for the state and would allow Class II bingo machines at pari-mutuels in counties of at least 800,000 population or within 40 miles of an tribal casino.

Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, sponsor of the underlying Florida Lottery patent legislation, called Grimsley’s amendment “friendly,” suggesting it would allow pari-mutuels to compete with tribal casinos while raising tax revenues to allow the Legislature to pass property tax reform legislation.

The Senate approved its own VLTs measure (SB 2434) last week. Action in the House on VLTs was considered unlikely since no committee had previously addressed the bill.

The full House is expected April 30 to take up consideration of HB 1047, which was narrowly amended April 27 to permit automatic teller machines and check-cashing at Broward County pari-mutuel facilities that recently introduced Las Vegas-style slot machines.