Big Day Friday: Decoupling Finally Will Get a Good Look by State Revenuers

Thousands of Floridians whose livelihoods rely on the state's $1.2 billion horse racing industry will have to wait until Friday for the outcome of a state Revenue Estimating Conference on decoupling.

At the start of Tuesday's impact conference in Tallahassee on Sen. Joe Negron's amended gambling package, state economist Amy Baker announced the meeting would be divided in two parts.

Tuesday's discussed the legislation's changes to Chapter 551 and slots, and issues related to the Seminole Compact and purchases generally.

Baker said a Friday continuation would center on decoupling, changes to "handle" (total amount of bets taken) and everything in Chapter 550.

Jennifer Pierce, spokeswoman for United Florida Horsemen, said Tuesday afternoon, "We're glad to hear that decoupling will be given a separate focus by the Florida Legislature's Revenue Estimating Conference ... With so much emphasis on economic development this session, it's good that our state economists factor in the thousands of jobs and small businesses that directly and indirectly make up Florida's successful horse racing industries."

Horsemen have insisted allowing parimutuels to decouple -- that is, offer slots without having to run live races or, in the case of jai alai, live games -- will spell the end of a rural cultural heritage and one of the most lucrative industries in Florida. But the governor's office, and the Florida House and Senate all have said they favor decoupling.

"We believe if the Legislature understands how much decoupling will hurt the economy, they will see how foolish it would be to throw us away," Ron Smith, president of the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association has said.