State lawmakers are in Tallahassee working on a new gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The deal would impact municipalities in Broward County that border the tribe's Hollywood reservation.
The city of Hollywood's share of local government revenue would go down from 55%. And the town of Davie would see its revenue jump up from 10%.
In these uncertain times, you can rely on WLRN to keep you current on local news and information. Your support is what keeps WLRN strong. Please become a member today. Donate now. Thank you.
Under the new version of the bill Hollywood would get 42.5% of the state revenue sharing deal. Davie would get 22.5%. The city of Dania Beach would receive 10% and Broward County would get 25%, all for existing casinos.
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy has been in Tallahassee this week fighting for his city not to lose more revenue.
"So we went from a 20 — what would have been a 20% reduction — to a 12.5% reduction," Levy told WLRN Tuesday. "Still not delighted about it but certainly better than before we came up here."
The revenue breakdown looks different for each municipality when it comes to any future casinos that go up over the next 30 years. According to the current version of the bill, as amended — Hollywood would receive 35% of the revenue in that case, and Davie would get 30%. Dania Beach would still receive 10%.
Levy says he does support a new gaming compact and the economic development it could stand to bring to the area.
"Love or hate the gaming. We're talking about thousands of new jobs that could have come from from what would be new facilities and just the guitar hotel itself," Levy said, referring to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Levy expects the legislative process could bring more changes to the deal. By the time of publication, Davie officials had not responded to WLRN's requests for comment.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on the compact Wednesday.
If lawmakers ratify the deal, it must still be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior before it can replace the current compact with the tribe and take effect.
