Sen. Steven Geller thought he had a clear-cut bill.
To clear up confusion about whether Florida's governor has the unilateral power to negotiate gambling compacts with the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian tribes, the Broward County Democrat is carrying a bill that says the governor, then the Legislature, must sign off on a compact.
The bill stems from a standoff between the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the state and the federal government over its right to offer slots-styled gambling at its casinos now that Broward County has them.
State and federal courts have issued contradictory rulings on whether the governor has the power to exclusively negotiate such compacts.
But Republican Sen. Ronda Storms of Valrico said Tuesday in a Senate committee that she preferred confusion.
"I don't want a single thing that makes this easier," Storms said. "I'm not interested in seeing the problem resolved."
There is a big financial payoff for Florida schools awaiting, since the state would get a cut of the new revenues and the money would go to public education.
But Storms explained that as a gaming opponent she was afraid Gov. Charlie Crist – who reopened negotiations with the Seminole Tribe in January – was much more likely to cut them a deal than his predecessor, Jeb Bush.
Geller was bemused. "I'm doing this to clarify ... the role of the Legislature," he said.
"I don't want it clarified," Storms replied.
The bill still cleared the Finance and Tax Committee over Storms' lone 'no' vote.