Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 29, 2018

Supporters of a constitutional ban on betting on greyhound racing have fired back with their own letter after ban opponents served a cease and desist letter on the group. The upshot: The Committee to Protect Dogs on Friday said the videos – made by artist Jeff Sonksen – used in an online ad by the Protect Dogs — Yes on 13 campaign aren’t […]

Jim RosicaJune 29, 2018

A group that supports a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit betting on greyhound racing won’t be allowed to enter a case against the ban, a Tallahassee judge ruled Friday. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers denied a motion to intervene from the Committee to Protect Dogs, but said it could file a friend-of-the-court brief, as can the Animal Law […]

Jim RosicaJune 25, 2018

The battle over a proposed constitutional ban on greyhound racing is heating up, as ban opponents served a cease and desist letter on the group promoting an end to dog racing. The Committee to Support Greyhounds said it hit the Protect Dogs — Yes on 13 campaign with the letter on Monday. At issue: The […]

Staff ReportsJune 25, 2018

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Advocates for a ballot initiative to put an end to dog racing have released a video to bolster their claim that “greyhounds are confined for as much as 23 hours per day at Florida racetracks.” The 1-minute, 33-second YouTube video, titled “Greyhound Racers Can’t Handle the Truth,” was posted on Monday by the Protect Dogs — […]

Staff ReportsJune 25, 2018

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Photo: Van Abernethy The group representing Florida’s greyhound owners and breeders is renewing its pledge not to go ‘negative’ in its battle against a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at outlawing betting on dog racing. The Committee to Support Greyhounds, a separate political group formed to fight the ban, has issued no similar pledge, however. But it […]

Jim RosicaJune 18, 2018

An appellate court has shot down a trial judge’s order to make immediate her ruling that medical marijuana can be smoked in Florida. The 1st District Court of Appeal, in a one-page order dated Monday, quashed Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ order allowing patients to smoke. The state’s appeal of the decision placed an automatic ‘stay,’ or […]

Staff ReportsJune 13, 2018

Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding has joined the Florida Greyhound Association‘s (FGA) legal team. The addition of Harding, a high court appointee of the late Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, was announced Wednesday by association general counsel Jeff Kottkamp. Harding served on the Florida Supreme Court 1991-2002; Kottkamp was Florida’s lieutenant governor from 2007-11 under Gov. Charlie […]

Jim RosicaJune 5, 2018

No surprise: A Tallahassee judge has decided her ruling to allow patients to smoke medical marijuana in Florida should be effective sooner rather than later. In a Tuesday order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said her decision will now take effect Monday, according to plaintiffs’ counsel Jon Mills. His clients include Cathy Jordan, a woman with Lou Gehrig’s disease who […]

Staff ReportsMay 31, 2018

Supporters of the proposed constitutional ban on greyhound racing have launched a digital campaign to inform voters about the amendment, the Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 group announced Wednesday. “The campaign will communicate to voters via a dedicated website, Facebook page, Twitter feed and Instagram account,” a news release said. The campaign’s website is ProtectDogs.org, the Twitter […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

A much-debated bill that would ban all marriages under the age of 17 passed the Legislature Friday; it now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman for Scott said the governor “intends to sign” the bill (SB 140). The vote in the House on the Senate bill was 109-1, with the only ‘no’ vote cast by Republican […]

Tag: ban
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Legal battle over racing-dog videos stays heated

Lawsuit over dog-racing ban heads to court

Greyhound racing supporters hit back with ‘cease and desist’ letter

‘Protect Dogs’ drops new video on greyhound industry

Greyhound breeders: Stay ‘positive’ in fight against racing ban

Appellate court puts hold on smokable medical marijuana

Personnel note: Major B. Harding joins greyhound group’s legal team

Judge says OK to quick effect of marijuana ruling

Greyhound racing-ban supporters launch digital campaign

Lawmakers pass ban on minors marrying — but exclude 17-year-olds