GSG Represents Governor Bob Graham in Florida Supreme Court.

BY MARY ELLEN KLAS
Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau

As a member of the state House when Florida rewrote its constitution in 1968, former governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham believes a lot of people are missing the point in the current gaming debate. Graham filed a friend of the court brief Monday in the case involving Gretna Racing LLC, arguing that the Legislature, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration and the company that is trying to get a slots permit in the rural community, have misread the Florida Constitution. His argument: There is no authority to open the door to additional slot machines, or any other forms of gambling, without a statewide referendum, and the court should reject Gretna’s argument. It’s the third argument offered in what is shaping up to be a landmark case before the Florida Supreme Court this spring. It could have immediate implications on the gaming compact signed by Scott and the Seminole Tribe and could influence the legislative debate over expanded gambling.

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