Rep. Ed Narain of Tampa was the leader of the group who made the trip to Wind Creek Casino.
Five Florida legislators are being criticized for their trip to a Wind Creek Casino & Hotel in Atmore, Alabama. While there, the lawmakers dined with officials from the Poarch Creek Indians, who are lobbying to have a slots casino placed in North Florida. None of the five who made the trip paid for their transportation, meals, or hotel rooms.
Those critical of the state lawmakers concede that the trip and dining were legal. They are critical because many voters believe such trips should be illegal. A 2006 law made it illegal for donors to pay for trips. Politicians have learned how to skirt the law by classifying such trips as “in-kind donations” to their political action committees or reelection campaigns.
Are ‘In-Kind’ Trips Legal?
The Tampa Bay Times asked a polisci professor, Susan McManus of the University of South Florida, whether the paid trips were legal. McManus said the legislators’ actions were legal, without a doubt, but questioned whether it was wise. McManus said, “Even if technically candidates are adhering to the letter of the law, from a perception perspective, it sometimes just doesn’t look right to the voters. Yes, this is legal, but to the average person, does it look like it should be legal?”
The lawmakers involved in the trip to Wind Creek Casino are state representatives Ed Narain of Tampa, Randolph Bracy of Orlando, Bobby DuBose of Fort Lauderdale, Darryl Rouson of St. Petersburg, and Alan Williams of Tallahassee. All five legislators are Democrats and all five are members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. Ed Narain is chairman of the Black Caucus.
Gretna Slots Casino Vote
The Poarch Creek Indians are lobbying to receive a slots parlor in Gretna in Northern Florida. It is obvious why the Native American gaming interests would be interested in feting members of the Florida legislature. John Sowinski of the anti-gambling advocacy group, “No Casinos”, wondered aloud why the lawmakers would allow themselves to be drawn into such activities.
Sowinski said, “It is not surprising that gambling interests would use their money to try to influence legislators; it’s what they do. The fact of the matter is that slot machines in Gretna are not a panacea for their economic situation.”
Both Parties Do It
The problem is both parties take “in-kind donations”. Members of the Republican Party of Florida accepted hunting trips to the King Ranch in Texas. The Florida Republicans listed their hunting activities as “campaign trips”, which allowed them to have their fun at the expense of a lobbyist.
Such “political contributions” were criticized in the King Ranch case. Eventually, incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Florida GOP members would no longer take such trips, to end the criticism of such practices. Democrats take free trips to resort-casinos and Republicans take free trips to hunting ranges. The principle is the same: they get free vacations through a technicality, though such payments were banned in 2006.
Disney and Universal Do It, Too
The interests offering such donations are not all out-of-state interests. The Walt Disney World and Universal Studios have offered excursions to politicians. The perks offered to both political parties include the donation of hotel rooms and tours, which might mean a free trip to Disney World. Food and beverages are also offered to candidates, and lobbyists sometimes pay for the catering at big political gatherings.
Voters should not assume the donations are minor, either. Campaign finance documents have reported that such donations sometimes exceed $100,000 from a single donor. Those willing to pay such amounts expect consideration in return, when their pet issues come up for votes. Terms such as “the buying of democracy” are used by critics to describe the practice.
Ed Narain Defends His Actions
Lawmakers say the trips are legitimate and informative. State Rep. Ed Narain said he learned pivotal details on the trip — details which might well sway his vote when it comes time for a decision on the Poarch Creek Band’s casino.
Narain said, “By taking the trip, I learned a lot about what the Poarch Creek Indians are doing for the residents of the city of Atmore, and I see the potential benefit of having the Poarch Creeks doing similar things in Gadsden County.”
Ritch Workman Backs Narain
Democrats are not the only ones defending such practices. Ritch Workman, a Republican from Melbourne, backed up Ed Narain’s assessment. Workman said he took a similar trip to see the Poarch Creek Indians in 2014. He said such trips help a lawmaker put a vote into perspective.
Workman said, “It is 100 percent a political fund-raising event; that’s what it is. The reason you do it on-site is because part of the enticement for them is they get to show you what they do.“
