MIAMI, Fla. -- The realities of tax reform are sinking in with local politicians.

For many parts of the state, slot machines might be the answer, and Miami-Dade commissioners are ready to play catch-up with Broward County.

If the county commission gives final approval, slots in pari-mutuels will be on the Miami-Dade ballot Jan. 29, 2008.

Flagler Dog Track unveiled architects' renderings of their proposed slots operation.

"The county commissioners are well-educated on the issue, and they know the benefits we will bring to Dade County," Izzy Havenick, vice president of Flagler Dog Track and Sports Entertainment Center in Miami, said.

Broward voters approved Vegas-style slots in 2004. The county and cities cut deals with the slot operations for a cut of the pie, and Broward slots coughed up $223 million for education in the state.

Voters in Dade nixed slots.

"There have been changes in attitudes while gambling has been successful for only a short period of time in Broward County," Ken Dunn, president of Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, said. "Any political support is welcome."

There was not much formal opposition, but one Miami-Dade resident had something to say.

"We can get tax resources from other sources," the resident said. "[It] degrades our lifestyle, legalized gambling."

On the political front, public servants smell a big tax revenue crunch coming if lawmakers radically alter the state's tax structure. Gambling money could fill some of the void.