Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 12, 2018

In an act of ‘humble plagiarism,’ Joe Redner‘s attorney is following the lead of John Morgan in asking the state Supreme Court to take over litigation on medical marijuana. In a filing posted Monday, attorney Luke Lirot “suggests” that the state’s highest court take over deciding whether Redner — the Tampa strip club mogul — can grow and juice […]

Scott PowersJune 6, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King told a room full of gun-control activists Wednesday that he’s carrying a big agenda for them if he’s elected governor but that he’s got some doubts about how much of it could be enacted, short of a Constitutional Amendment. King, the Winter Park entrepreneur, has embraced the full Democratic platform […]

Scott PowersJune 5, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham pledged Tuesday to do whatever is possible to expand Medicaid in Florida including getting behind a Constitutional amendment drive if she, as governor, cannot convince the Florida Legislature to accept the federal program. Graham met Tuesday with a roundtable of health care leaders at the Florida Hospital Association offices in […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaMay 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court has turned down a request from Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner to let him immediately pursue growing and juicing his own marijuana. The court on Friday denied his petition to remove a delay of the effect of a lower court’s ruling. The case now is under review at the 1st District Court of Appeal. […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2018

Despite lawmakers’ concerns, the Department of Health has final say over how medical marijuana plays out in Florida, the state’s top regulator suggested. The agency regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The office’s director, Christian Bax, spoke with reporters Thursday after a rulemaking hearing in Tallahassee. A legislative panel took Bax’s office to task […]

Tag: constitutional amendment

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

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

Joe Redner also wants Supreme Court to decide on medical marijuana

Chris King tempers expectations on his big gun agenda

Gwen Graham would seek Constitutional amendment if needed to expand Medicaid

Greyhound racing-ban supporters launch digital campaign

Supreme Court takes initial pass on ‘home grow’ case

Medical marijuana regulator: We’ll change our rules—or not