Crist may seek new gaming deal

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Charlie Crist may try to renegotiate a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to expand gambling at the tribe’s Florida casinos.

On Tuesday, Crist said that was an option. On Monday, he proposed using $433 million from the gaming compact to increase education spending, although a key legislative committee has already rejected it.

The governor said he will also keep pushing the Legislature.

Crist said it ‘wouldn’t be prudent’ to assume they won’t pass it before lawmakers have even begun their annual March session.

It’s the second compact Crist has negotiated. The Florida Supreme Court rejected the first one because Crist signed it’without the Legislature’s’approval.

Crist, who is running for the U.S. Senate, announced a record $22.7 billion education budget proposal during a visit to his childhood elementary school.