Seminole compact

Let’s hope the Legislature, as it debates a new gambling compact with the Seminoles, considers the safety of hotel, casino and restaurant customers and employees, especially now that they plan a huge addition at the Hard Rock in Hollywood.

The state should negotiate an agreement that requires the tribe to waive its sovereign rights and submit to the same rigorous building, health and restaurant inspections that every other business in Florida does.

And, health inspectors should be allowed to check sanitary conditions in rooms, spas, pools, laundries and restaurants, including national chain restaurants inspected everywhere else. The Hard Rock isn’t immune from e-coli and rat feces.

You might say it’s OK to let the Seminoles inspect their own property because it’s only good business.

But you could say that about any business, and you know that’s not the case.

Now is the time to make the Seminoles a little more responsible for what happens on their property.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 11:58 PM with the headline "Seminole compact."