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Local7 in South Florida on Friday was reporting that the bill authorizing three destination resort casinos in South Florida abruptly died in a House of Representatives subcommittee Friday morning when the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, asked that it be temporarily postponed.
The committee heard comments for and against the bill Friday.
"We want Americans to work. This is about jobs," said Everett Wilkinson, chairman of the South Florida Tea Party.
"What is before you today would be disastrous to the quality of life that I and my fellow citizens of Miami have been fighting for years to protect," said Grace Solares, of Miami Neighborhoods United.
"We believe that it's 5,000 to 6,000 per casino for two and a half years, so we're looking to 15,000 to 18,000 construction jobs for two and a half years," said Rick Watson, legal counsel for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. "I'll leave it for others to deal with the casino issue or the gambling issue. We have gambling and we have casinos in Florida, so I really don't think it's an issue."
The Genting Group, which was behind the Miami Destination Casino, claimed that some 5000 jobs would have been created as a result of the project.
The bill authorizing the three destination resort casinos will not be passed by the Legislature this season. Casino supporters will try again next year, according to Michael Putney of Local7.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
