Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 27, 2018

Voters in Charge, which is behind a ballot measure to require voter approval for new gambling, announced its Tampa Bay area leadership on Thursday. The list of notables includes those in law enforcement, religious leaders, community and business leaders and elected officials. “We are thrilled to have the support of so many pillars of the […]

Ryan NicolAugust 30, 2018

A Florida constitutional amendment giving voters the final say over any gambling expansion in the state is running far ahead of the 60 percent threshold required to pass. Fresh polling from Voters in Charge, the group advocating approval for Amendment 3 this November, shows 71 percent of likely Florida voters back the initiative. If passed, the […]

Drew WilsonAugust 10, 2018

The political committee fighting against a proposed constitutional amendment to limit gambling expansion brought in $525,000 from the parent company of Miami’s Magic City Casino. The committee, Vote NO on 3, received the check from West Flagler Associates on July 31. That stack is the only contribution the committee has reported since it was formed […]

Jim RosicaAugust 8, 2018

The political committee behind a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling plans a $30 million ad buy to promote the measure’s passage. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public files document some of the purchase. John Sowinski, chairman of Voters In Charge which is behind the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, on Wednesday confirmed the total buy. The initiative will appear on the November […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

A new political committee called “Vote NO on 3” has registered to oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of new gambling. A Division of Elections listing accessed Friday show the political committee (PC) is chaired by South Florida’s Isadore “Izzy” Havenick, whose family operates Magic City Casino in Miami and Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & […]

Staff ReportsMay 10, 2018

The political committee behind a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling Wednesday said it “continues to gain momentum in critical areas of the effort, including fundraising, grassroots and social media.” Voters In Charge sponsored the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, which will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 3. The amendment would tie the hands of the […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2018

The war of words between gaming industry lobbyist Marc Dunbar and No Casinos head John Sowinski continued Friday. Sowinski, the organization’s president, released an “open letter” admonishing Dunbar that he won’t “fool Florida voters” about a gambling-related constitutional amendment on November’s ballot. Sowinski also chairs Voters In Charge, the political committee behind the proposed “Voter Control of […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 14, 2018

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“Leave it be until Amendment 3,” says a new ad from the group behind a constitutional amendment on voter control of gambling expansion that will be on November’s statewide ballot. Voters In Charge, the political committee backing the Voter Control of Gambling Amendment, on Wednesday announced “a 30-second television ad, a 60-second radio ad, as […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2018

Lawmakers, take note: More than three-quarters of likely Florida voters favor a proposed state constitutional amendment “that would require voter approval to authorize casino gambling in the state,” according to poll results released Thursday. A ballot question will be before voters in November as Amendment 3, or the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. “When initially asked […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 2, 2014

Down deep on Tuesday’s ballots — the last item on most — is an issue not to be overlooked. Should a lame-duck governor replace Supreme Court Justices and judges of the district court of appeal who will be leaving office when he does? Or should it be the next governor’s duty? That’s the issue with […]

Tag: Amendment 3

Will Weatherford headlines regional names behind gambling amendment

New polling shows most Floridians want veto power over gambling expansion

Casino stakes anti-Amendment 3 group with $525K

Group backing gambling amendment plans $30M ad buy

New committee forms to fight gambling-control amendment

Gambling amendment supporters steaming ahead

No Casinos won’t fold ’em: Letter skirmish with lobbyist continues

‘Leave it be’: New ad for gambling initiative out

Poll: 76 percent support constitutional amendment on gambling

Martin Dyckman: Amendment 3 is a cynical bamboozlement and must be defeated