How could Florida solve its budget crisis? Perhaps by gambling for dollars – maybe billions – to help state schools.

That’s the answer from a bi-partisan coalition of state senators pushing to expand gambling in the state and lower the tax rates on Broward County’s slot machines.

Two such measures are pending before the Senate and the full chamber is expected to formally vote on them next week.

One proposed by Senate Business Regulation Chairman Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, would allow all pari-mutuel facilities in the state to offer bingo-like slot machines, like those operated at the Seminole Tribe of Florida casinos.

The other, offered by Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller of Cooper City, would reduce the tax rate on the slots machines operated by Broward’s pari-mutuels from 50 percent down to 35 percent. At that rate, state economists have predicted the state would eventually rake in more dollars because the pari-mutuels would have more money available to advertise their machines.

Sponsors say the benefit to the state coffers could top $1 billion. That would come in handy as the state faces a bleak revenue outlook next year, expecting to take in $2 billion less than had been expected to fuel the budget.

“You’re offering something that benefits the state and business,” said Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden. “That’s pretty close to being a Republican. So, here’s a (voter registration) change card.”

Geller politely declined the offer.

If the bills do pass, however, they face an uncertain future in the House, where Speaker Marco Rubio is adamantly exposed to expanded gambling.

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