A special committee of the Florida House of Representatives rejected the new compact negotiated by the Seminoles and Gov. Crist.  The decision marks a possible turning point in Florida tribal-state politics.  Up until now, the tribe has been open to renegotiating what, at least arguably, should have been a done deal -- the long-delayed and duly-entered-into compact that was called into question by the Florida Supreme Court.

After the court's decision, in a series of fits and starts, the state has attempted to work with the Seminoles to reach a compact that would comply with the court's decision.  The renegotiated compact expressly permitted blackjack and other Class III card games at the Seminoles' seven casinos -- the casinos in Brighton, Immokalee, Big Cypress, Coconut Creek, and Hollywood, as well as the Hard Rock brand casinos in Tampa and Hollywood -- instead of the four locations specified in the original compact.  In exchange, the renegotiated compact, like the original, included big money for the state in revenue sharing -- at least $150 million a year for 20 years, and a predicted $500 million in the final year of the compact.

But this latest legislative rejection has, say some, killed the deal.  The Seminoles' lawyer says that the tribe is now looking at alternatives to continuing to negotiate with the state.  But some state legislators and Gov. Crist remain optimistic, saying that there's still time for a deal to be approved by the legislature.

Read the AP story in the Miami Herald: Fla. House Panel Rejects New Indian Gaming Deal