In a ruling likely to raise the stakes in the discussion over expansion of gambling in Florida, the 1st District Court of Appeal on Thursday said state lawmakers hold the cards when it comes to decisions about new venues.

In a closely watched opinion, a three-judge panel of the court unanimously ruled that a 2004 constitutional amendment allowing Miami-Dade and Broward county voters to approve slot machines didn't preclude lawmakers from later further expanding the scope of gambling around the state.

Citing insufficient tax revenue and previous debt, economists on Monday said the state will have no money available to sell new bonds for school construction next year.

A panel of state economists, meeting to tweak estimates made earlier this year, slashed estimates for available school construction money by $267 million for 2012, leaving educators with about $113 million in new cash available for building for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Bonding, which is typically used to construct new buildings and renovate older ones, is not an option for the upcoming year.

Nineteen people have applied for the job of Florida education commissioner, including the surprise emergence of a well-known Florida politician who held the job 10 years ago.

But that wasnt enough to satisfy the State Board of Education, which voted Friday to extend the deadline for applicants to June 6 in the hopes of casting a wider net.

Interviews will now take place around June 20, which means an interim director will be appointed to bridge the gap after current Education Commissioner Eric Smiths resignation becomes effective June 10.