In Tallahassee, the House package of gambling reform legislation includes a measure that would prevent the Florida Legislature from ever again making a big gambling decision.
Tagging along in the House legislation is a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant exclusive power to voters to expand gambling in any way in Florida. The Legislature would not be allowed to do that.
During a House Gaming Committee session, Broward Democrat Jim Waldman asked Republican Matt Gaetz to set him straight.
"You would like to tie the hands of future legislators as to what they can do but allow us to do what we want do", asked Waldman.
"I don't know that the Legislature has a really good track record on gaming issues, Representative Waldman, I don't know that it’s a record to be particularly proud of", Gaetz answered.
He said the people are likely to make better decisions and much less likely to fall under the influence of gambling lobbyists. But Waldman said not being good at legislating is no reason for legislators to abandon their traditional duties.
If it passes the Legislature, the amendment would need 60 percent of the popular vote to become part of the constitution. As would every gambling decision the voters would make under its authority.