Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
A Wednesday ruling from the Department of Revenue was a mixed bag for Calder Casino on its request for a tax break on its slot machines.
The Miami Gardens track, formerly known as Calder Race Course, no longer runs its own live horse racing. It does offer slots and electronic table games.
It leases 122 of its 1,100 slot machines from vendors, paying both state and local tax. State law caps taxes collected on the first $5,000 worth of “tangible personal property.”
As reported in the Aug. 2 “Last Call,” Calder had asked for each of its three slots leases to be considered separately to fall under the $5,000 cap, instead of lumped together as a “single sale,” easing its tax burden.
To simplify the department’s ruling this week, it found that one of the leases qualifies for a tax break, and part of a second lease does, but a third does not.
So how much will Calder save?
The invoices themselves were not disclosed because Calder claimed a “trade secrets” exemption under the state’s public records law.
But getting the break would “represent a substantial and material value to the petitioner’s business,” Calder’s initial filing said.
Evening Reads
“Something very weird is happening in Florida politics …” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics
“Busted: Top TB Times reporter smears Rick Scott record with bogus economic data” via Brian Burgess of The Capitolist
“Online scammers once ripped off Ann Scott, stole $350,000” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Ron DeSantis; Bill Posey receive 0 on environment voting scorecard; Brian Mast also scores low” via the TC Palm
“Parkland dad calls Andrew Gillum’s fundraiser with Broward’s sheriff ‘absolutely disgraceful” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“A closer look at Florida Constitutional Amendment 1” via Diane Rado of the Florida Phoenix
“David Shapiro denounces sons offensive comments” via Zac Anderson of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“Democrats fear Donna Shalala campaign is in ‘sleep mode’ while challenger surges” via Marc Caputo of POLITICO Florida
“Unfriended: Former candidate sues over fib to get access to his Facebook posts” via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
“Poverty rate in Florida dips to lowest level since Great Recession, census says” via the Sun-Sentinel
“Red tide reaches the Panhandle” via Karl Etters of the Tallahassee Democrat
“Tampa Bay businesses feel Red Tide’s sting: ‘Our sales are going to be our lowest ever’” via Sara DiNatale of the Tampa Bay Times
“Why politics feel realer now” via A.G. Gancarski for Folio Weekly
Quote of the Day
“I don’t think anything has changed. I think we’re good.” — GOP gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis, on reports that President Trump was upset with him after he contradicted Trump’s lowball claim on Hurricane Maria’s death toll in Puerto Rico.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida Department of Children and Families will hold a community meeting and a Broward Area Refugee Task Force meeting to discuss refugee services. That’s at 10 a.m., Urban League of Broward County, 560 N.W. 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release its regular weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
DNC Chair Tom Perez, Lt. Governor nominee Chris King, Congressman Darren Soto, Haines City elected officials and community leaders will appear at a Florida Democratic Party “Rural Tour” stop. That’s at 11 a.m., Lake Eva Community Center, 555 Ledwith Ave., Haines City.
Republican House candidates Will Robinson, Ray Pilon and Tommy Gregory are expected to take part in a meeting of the Sarasota Republican Club. Robinson is running for an open seat in House District 71; Pilon is challenging Rep. Margaret Good, a Sarasota Democrat, in House District 72; and Gregory is running for an open seat in House District 73. That’s at 6 p.m., Marina Jack, 2 Marina Jack Plaza, Sarasota.
