Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 7, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court on Friday ordered a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban betting on live greyhound racing back on the ballot, reversing a lower-court judge. Now, if approved by at least 60 percent of voters in November, the measure could sound the death knell of the state’s 87-year-old greyhound industry. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 7, 2018

The face of the Florida Greyhound Association is asking the head of the state agency regulating gambling to let his people go. Go behind the scenes at dog tracks, that is. Tallahassee lobbying legend Jack Cory, who’s advocated for the greyhound industry for decades, sent a request Friday for an “emergency rule” to Jonathan Zachem, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2018

Gambling regulators on Tuesday warned racing greyhound owners and others that public tours of kennels at Florida greyhound tracks may violate state regulations. A representative of the industry soon shot back that the prohibition was “outrageous!” Last month, the National Greyhound Association said it would offer tours of “three Florida greyhound tracks and their on-site kennels.” The two-hour guided […]

Staff ReportsAugust 30, 2018

Marsy’s Law for Florida launched a statewide television and digital advertising campaign, asking voters to support Amendment 6, which would “place clear, enforceable victims’ rights in the state constitution.” The amendment, which also would raise judges’ retirement age from 70 to 75, has been ruled off the ballot after a court challenge, but that decision is […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court will now consider whether general election voters will get to see a constitutional amendment ending live greyhound racing. Lawyers for the state and the Florida Greyhound Association gave argument Wednesday before the state’s seven justices. As usual, the court offered no clue when it might rule. The association challenged the amendment, saying […]

Jim RosicaAugust 28, 2018

The state’s highest court has punted a challenge that six proposed constitutional amendments were wrongfully “bundled.” Without explanation, the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously kicked the case to the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Tallahassee, with a proviso that the trial judge assigned the case “should not interpret the transfer of this case as an […]

Peter SchorschAugust 25, 2018

The work of the Constitution Revision Commission is under attack in the courts. And that’s fair, according to Brecht Heuchan, who led the CRC’s drafting process. “I’m not mad about the lawsuits,” he told us. “That’s what people do when they feel aggrieved.” But a new effort spawned this week encouraging Floridians to opt for […]

Staff ReportsAugust 21, 2018

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The National Greyhound Association on Tuesday said it would offer tours of “three Florida greyhound tracks and their on-site kennels.” The two-hour guided tours, free with advance registration, are “designed to promote transparency and educate the public about the care of greyhounds at the track, as well as stewardship of the breed,” according to a press […]

Jim RosicaAugust 21, 2018

There’s no such thing as improper ‘bundling’ of issues when it comes to amendments proposed by the state’s Constitution Revision Commission, Attorney General Pam Bondi argued in a new filing on Monday. Bondi responded to a challenge filed last week at the Florida Supreme Court by one of its retired justices, Harry Lee Anstead. He said six CRC amendments […]

Drew WilsonAugust 20, 2018

Leon County Judge John Cooper on Monday ordered a contentious education amendment removed from the November ballot. Amendment 8 bundled three education issues of varying popularity. It would set eight-year term limits for county school board members; require “civic literacy” to be promoted in public schools, and would strip school boards of their sole authority […]

Tag: Constitution Revision Commission

Off to the races: Supreme Court clears dog racing-ban for ballot

Jack Cory to state gambling regulators: Let the kennel tours go on

Whoa, dog: State says greyhound kennel tours aren’t allowed

Statewide ‘Yes on Amendment 6’ ad buy launched

High court hears argument on dog racing ban

Supreme Court passes on ‘bundling’ challenge to constitutional amendments

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Second-guessing the CRC

On dog racing, national greyhound group says seeing is believing

Pam Bondi says certain constitutional amendments can be ‘bundled’

Education amendment struck from November ballot—for now