Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

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State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, the Florida House of Representatives’ point man on gambling, said Thursday said the Senate’s current version of the Seminole Compact and accompanying gambling overhaul is “too much” for his tastes – and that of his membership. “There’s a lot of extra slot parlors in the Senate bill,” said Diaz, the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

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Senate President Andy Gardiner says he’s still unclear whether changes made this week to the proposed gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida would violate an existing agreement between the two. “We probably have to get some revenue estimating numbers to find out,” he told reporters after Thursday’s floor session. “There are […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2016

The proposed $3 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida got a boost Wednesday when a key Senate panel approved it and another related gambling measure. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee, which oversees gambling in Florida, approved both measures (SB 7072, SB 7074) with four senators opposed: Republicans Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2016

Slot machines could be expanded to six Florida counties that already OK’d them in local referendums under a new measure pushed by Senate President-designate Joe Negron. The Stuart Republican filed his proposal as an amendment to gambling legislation (SB 7072, SB 7074) set to be reviewed Wednesday by his chamber’s Regulated Industries Committee, chaired by state […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office is getting more time to prepare legal arguments in a case over whether certain Florida dog and horse tracks can offer slot machines to guests. The Florida Supreme Court granted the request Wednesday, giving her lawyers another month to turn in their brief. Bondi’s office, specifically Solicitor General Allen Winsor, is representing […]

Jim RosicaDecember 31, 2015

The north Florida city of Gretna is siding with the operators of a racetrack there, arguing that the facility is “entitled to a license to operate slot machines.” The city filed a friend-of-the-court brief Thursday to the Florida Supreme Court in a challenge to a 1st District Court of Appeal decision that said various Florida dog and horse tracks […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Guest AuthorDecember 28, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Guest AuthorDecember 10, 2015

When state lawmakers approved the original 2010 gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, they promised Florida residents it would serve as a firewall against the further expansion of gambling. The proposed renewal of the compact is a complete violation of that trust. In fact, the renegotiated compact will lead to the largest gambling expansion in […]

Guest AuthorDecember 9, 2015

When state lawmakers approved the original 2010 gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, they promised Florida residents it would serve as a firewall against the further expansion of gambling. The proposed renewal of the compact is a complete violation of that trust. In fact, the renegotiated compact will lead to the largest gambling expansion in […]

Tag: Slot machines

Jose Felix Diaz says House would “riot” over Senate gambling legislation

Andy Gardiner questions impact of changed Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Senate panel OKs Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Joe Negron may have votes to advance Compact plan that expands slot machines to 6 counties

Pam Bondi granted more time to prep for slot machine case

City of Gretna files brief in slots case, sides with local track

Jim Rosica’s top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

Jim Rosica's Top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

John Sowinski: Compact is a #BadDealforFlorida

John Sowinski: Compact is a #BadDealforFlorida