Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
When slots trump horses
The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course now is seeking an OK from state gambling regulators to completely get out of the horse racing business.
Its petition for a declaratory judgment was turned in to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering this week, records show.
The petition asks two questions: “(1) whether (Calder) can discontinue the operation of thoroughbred races and instead operate a full schedule of jai alai performances while maintaining its status as an ‘eligible facility’ under (state law), and (2) whether it must conduct jai alai performances at its ‘eligible facility’ in the fiscal year immediately prior to operating slot machines pursuant to its summer jai alai permit.”
The request comes more than a month after Calder separately sought a tax break from the state’s Department of Revenue on its slot machines.
The Miami Gardens track, which no longer runs its own live horse racing, now does business as Calder Casino, offering slots and electronic table games. Gambling regulators allowed Calder to keep its lucrative slot-machine license after demolishing its grandstand.
Calder began tearing down the grandstand in 2015, about a year after its parent company, Churchill Downs, reached a deal with The Stronach Group, which owns Gulfstream Park. Under the agreement, Gulfstream — about 8 miles away — runs 40 races a year at Calder, the minimum number of live races required for Calder to maintain its slots license.
Some operators have been trying to exploit a technical loophole, converting their licenses to offer gambling to what are known as summer jai alai permits.
Pari-mutuels, particularly in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, covet such permits because at a minimum they allow a facility to open a card room and offer simulcast betting. But for most if not all, offering slots has always been the end game.
Otherwise, tracks in Florida are generally required to continue running live dog or horse races to have slots and card games that make those facilities more money. A move afoot called “decoupling,” removing the live racing requirement, has failed in the Legislature in recent years.
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Background from The News Service of Florida; republished with permission.
Evening Reads
“Sen. Marco Rubio outlines paid family leave plan that lets people take from Social Security” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott on algae blooms, SunPass and his blind trust” via Howard Altman of the Tampa Bay Times
“Ron DeSantis backs Jim Jordan for Speaker, touting past as ‘champion wrestler’” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Democratic Ag Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried donated to Republicans” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida
“Darren Soto and Alan Grayson debate: brawling, bruising, ‘lies!’” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Loranne Ausley files to succeed Bill Montford in 2020” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“Silence is mostly golden for GOP House candidate in Pasco” via C.T. Bowen of the Tampa Bay Times
“CFO Jimmy Patronis taps Ken Lawson as ‘cryptocurrency adviser’” via Florida Politics
“State appeals decision to keep dog-racing ban off ballot” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Cool Atlantic could mean a weaker hurricane season” via Josh Soloman of the Tampa Bay Times
Quote of the Day
“After four long years of leaving no stone unturned, I am proud to officially announce that Miami-Dade County has effectively ended homelessness among veterans in our community.” — Ron Book, chair of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
A three-day tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers will begin Friday. During the holiday, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes that cost $60 or less and school supplies that cost $15 or less. Lawmakers approved the tax holiday this year.
The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss transportation revenues at 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.
State Rep. Matt Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican running for agriculture commissioner, is slated to take part in a “coffee with the candidate” event. That’s at 10:30 a.m., Lake County Republican Party office, 212 West Main St., Tavares.
U.S. Rep. Darren Soto is slated to appear at a meeting of the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County. That’s at 11:30 a.m., Bartow Civic Center, 2250 South Floral Ave., Bartow.
Republican Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Denise Grimsley will speak at the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools & Colleges (FAPSC) 2018 Annual Administrator Conference. That’s at 12:15 p.m., Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will host a roundtable with concerned residents and local leaders about the toxic algae outbreak. That’s at 1:30 p.m., Florida Sportsman Magazine headquarters, 2700 Kanner Highway, Stuart.
Political activist Stephen Gately, who passed away unexpectedly July 26, will be honored with a life memorial. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Blount & Curry Funeral Home Carrollwood, 3207 West Bearss, Tampa. In lieu of flowers, family members request a donation to WoundedWarriorProject.org.
State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through July 27.
Looking Ahead
A three-day tax “holiday” for back-to-school shoppers will continue Saturday and Sunday. During the holiday, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes that cost $60 or less and school supplies that cost $15 or less.
