Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The 4th District Court of Appeal shot down an appeal over whether slot machines can be expanded to “charter” counties that OK’d them in local referendums.
The company that owns Palm Beach Kennel Club had sued, seeking to add slots. A trial judge found against the track, and the appellate court affirmed without explanation in a 1-page ruling.
Last May, a unanimous Supreme Court denied slot machines to a track in Gretna, Gadsden County, and in other counties that passed local referendums authorizing slots. The opinion by Justice Charles Canady found that “nothing in (state gambling law) grants any authority to regulate slot machine gaming to any county.”
The opinion said the “general power of non-charter counties to ‘carry on county government’ does not constitute authorization to conduct a referendum to approve slot machine gaming.”
Palm Beach, however, is a charter county. (“Charters are formal written documents that confer powers, duties, or privileges on the county,” according to the Florida Association of Counties.)
But state gambling regulators said all counties’ slots referendums weren’t allowed under a constitutional amendment narrowly passed by statewide voters in 2004.
John Lockwood, the Tallahassee-based lawyer for the Investment Corporation of Palm Beach, said he and his client “are reviewing our options.” The next stop would be the state Supreme Court.
Evening Reads
“Florida accepts election security money. Now counties await their checks” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott PAC’s massive fundraising gets a controversial assist” via Lachlan Markay of The Daily Beast
“Chris King’s health care plan expands Medicaid, boosts telemedicine” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco endorses Denise Grimsely for Ag. Commissioner” via Danny McAuliffe of Florida Politics
“Despite privatization, Florida prison health costs continue to rise” via Julia Ochoa of Health News Florida
“How the Florida insurance industry hopes to rein in AOB crisis” via Amy O’ Connor of Insurance Journal
“How dirty is Miami real estate? Secret home deals dried up when feds started watching” via Nicholas Nehamas and Rene Rodriguez
“Could giant ads and parks named after corporations solve Miami Beach’s budget woes?” via Kyra Gurney of the Miami Herald
“A veterans organization was having a fundraiser at Publix. Then a man took off with their money” via Samantha Putterman
“Florida scientists discover deepwater shark species ‘Genie’s Dogfish’” via Wayne Price of Florida Today
Quote of the Day
“This is not a man who cares about our environment.” — St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, on Gov. Rick Scott.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Gov. Scott holds a news conference to highlight job growth. That’s at 10 a.m., Hull’s Seafood Market and Restaurant, 111 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release June unemployment numbers at 10 a.m.
State Sen. Dana Young, a Republican seeking re-election to Senate District 18, begins a get-out-the-vote “Super Weekend.” That’s at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 809 S. Albany Ave., Tampa. Volunteers are asked to wear comfortable shoes for door-to-door visits.
Sen. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican, is expected to take part in a “coffee with the candidate” event in Lake County. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Lake County Republican Party office, 212 West Main St., Tavares.
The Panhandle Tiger Bay Club is slated to hold a debate in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. Candidates in the race are Republican incumbent Matt Gaetz, Republicans Cris Dosev and John Mills, and Democrats Phil Ehr and Jennifer Zimmerman. That’s at noon, Skopelos at New World, 600 South Palafox St., Pensacola.
Republican candidate for Governor Adam Putnam will join supporters for a Sarasota County “meet and greet.” That’s at 3 p.m., Historic Venice Train Depot, 303 East Venice Ave., Venice.
State Rep. Amber Mariano holds a fundraiser as she seeks re-election to House District 36. That’s at 6 p.m., Kickin Wingz, 8702 State Road 52, Hudson.
Candidates for statewide offices and political committees face a Friday deadline to file reports showing finance activity through July 13.
