Does the third clause of section 551.102(4), Florida Statutes, referring to the ability of voters to approve slot machines 'at a countywide referendum held pursuant to a statutory or constitutional authorization after the effective date of this section,' permit the Department to grant a slot machine license to a pari-mutuel facility in a county which holds a countywide referendum to approve such machines, absent a.
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The Florida Slot Machines Amendment, also known as Amendment 4, was an initiated constitutional amendment on the November 2, 2004 election ballot in Florida, where it was approved.
The amendment added Article X, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution to allow Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to decide whether to legalize slot machines in existing racing facilities.[1]
Aftermath
The amendment was originally labeled as Article X, Section 19, but renumbered to avoid conflict with another Article X, Section 19 in the Florida Constitution.[2]
Election results
| Florida Amendment 4 (2004) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 3,631,261 | 50.83% | ||
| No | 3,512,181 | 49.17% | ||
Results via: the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections
Text of measure
The ballot title read:
| “ | Authorizes Miami-Dade and Broward County Voters to Approve Slot Machines in Parimutuel Facilities[1][3] | ” |
The ballot summary read:
Referendum For Slot Machines In Florida
| “ | Authorizes Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to hold referenda on whether to authorize slot machines in existing, licensed parimutuel facilities (thoroughbred and harness racing, greyhound racing, and jai alai) that have conducted live racing or games in that county during each of the last two calendar years before effective date of this amendment. The Legislature may tax slot machine revenues, and any such taxes must supplement public education funding statewide. Requires implementing legislation.[1][3] | ” |
The fiscal note was as follows:
| “ | This amendment alone has no fiscal impact on government. If slot machines are authorized in Miami-Dade or Broward counties, governmental costs associated with additional gambling will increase by an unknown amount and local sales tax-related revenues will be reduced by $5 million to $8 million annually. If the Legislature also chooses to tax slot machine revenues, state tax revenues from Miami-Dade and Broward counties combined would range from $200 million to $500 million annually.[4][3] | ” |
Constitutional changes
The text of the amendment read:
SECTION 19. SLOT MACHINES – |
Campaign contributions
The 'Yes on 4' committee dramatically outspent the 'No on 4' group. Those in favor of the proposition spent $15,512,278 while those opposed spent $303,223.
The pro-Amendment 4 committee was called Floridians for a Level Playing Field. The group's major donors were:
- Calder Race Court, $4,465,627
- Isle of Capri Casino, $3,410,000
- West Flagler Associates, $2,296,398
- Gulfstream Park Racing, $1,500,000
- Hartman & Tyner, $1,460,000
- Hollywood Greyhound Track, $820,000
- Flagler Greyhound Track, $585,000
- Racing Corp of West Virginia, $475,000[5]
Path to the ballot
- The initiative was sponsored by Floridians For a Level Playing Field.
- The initiative petition required 488,722 signatures and 526,718 were found valid.[1]
See also
External links
- Full text of the ballot (PDF)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.01.11.21.31.4'Authorizes Miami-Dade and Broward County Voters to Approve Slot Machines in Parimutuel Facilities 02-07,' Florida Department of State, Division of Elections
- ↑Article X, Section 23 of the Florida Constitution
- ↑ 3.03.13.2Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑'Sample Ballot,' Monroe County, FL
- ↑Donors to 'Yes on 4' committee
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