Florida bill to use compact funds for environmental projects heads to Governor’s desk

March 8, 2024
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The proposal would produce an annual budget of at least $450m for wildlife and waterway preservation.

A Florida bill proposed to allocate millions of gambling revenue dollars has made its way to the Governor’s desk, according to a recent WLRN Miami local news report.

The bill would allow an annual amount of at least $450m to fund environmental projects around the state.

Under the terms of the bill, the Seminole Indian Tribe and the state would contribute millions of dollars for projects to protect and preserve green spaces, waterways and wildlife.

State Senator Travis Hutson told local news that the funds would come from the state’s compact with the Tribe “in exchange for granting them exclusive rights to certain types of gambling.”

He commented further, “I can think of no better partnership with the Tribe and the compact dollars than to help take that money to help keep Florida beautiful, keep our conservation land well managed, and also clean up our waterways.

"I think it’s a perfect, perfect thing we can do in coordination with them.”

The Seminole Tribe of Florida currently owns and operates the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The tribe acquired the Hard Rock brand in 2007. Since Hard Rock’s founding, the brand has globally expanded to include more than 250 locations.

In celebration of International Women’s Month, Hard Rock International (HRI) recently kicked off its “We Are” campaign in partnership with activist, director and actress Eva Longoria.

Throughout March, the Hard Rock Heals Foundation will be collecting donations to support two organization that focus on women and women’s health. Funds will go to support the Global Gift Foundation and the Magee-Womens Research Institute.

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