Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2018

The next big debate over gambling in Florida could be on sports betting — with one top lawmaker already flexing his muscle regarding lawmakers’ say over it. This month, voters approved Amendment 3, also known as the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, by 71 percent. Its aim: To “ensure that Florida voters shall have the […]

Staff ReportsNovember 6, 2018

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As some hoped, others feared, and few expected, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending live dog racing in Florida has won at the ballot box. Amendment 13 got 69 percent ‘yes’ votes and 31 percent ‘no’ votes statewide as of 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. Proposed amendments need no less than 60 percent approval to be added to the state’s […]

Staff ReportsNovember 4, 2018

A new poll suggests a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending live dog racing in Florida may not pass. The survey by St. Pete Polls shows a total of 50 percent polled are for Amendment 13, while 38 percent are opposed and nearly 12 percent are still undecided just a days before the general election. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 29, 2018

A Halloween-themed anti-Amendment 3 flier hit mailboxes this weekend warning voters to not be tricked by the ballot measure giving voters the exclusive right to vote on gambling expansion in Florida. “Amendment 3’s tricks are no treat,” the front of “Choose Me Not 3“ ’s mailer reads, next to a stock photo of a carved pumpkin. […]

Staff ReportsOctober 8, 2018

A coalition made up of Florida’s farmers, ranchers and sportsmen have teamed up to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending live dog racing in the state, according to a Monday press release. But a main supporter of the racing ban said their argument doesn’t hold water. Amendment 13, which would need at least 60 […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2018

The state’s top gambling regulator, using the greyhound industry’s own concern against it, has nixed an “emergency” request to allow tours of greyhound kennels at race tracks. Robert Ehrhardt, director of the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering, on Wednesday released a letter (reprinted below) that he sent to Florida Greyhound Association lobbyist and spokesman Jack Cory. Ehrhardt’s division oversees dog […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 21, 2018

Saying a lower-court judge “misconstrued the plain language of Florida’s Medical Marijuana Amendment,” the state is asking an appellate court to reverse her ruling allowing Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner to grow and make juice of his own medical marijuana. Outside counsel for the Department of Health filed an initial brief Thursday in its appeal at […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2018

The state constitution “creates a procedural right to seek treatment with smokable marijuana,” according to a new filing in an appeal by patients seeking to light up medicinal cannabis. Attorney Jon Mills filed a 48-page answer brief late Thursday, in response to the state’s 57-page brief last month arguing that the smoking of medical marijuana […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2018

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Some of Florida’s Sheriffs, Tax Collectors, Clerks of Circuit Court, Property Appraisers, and other supporters gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to kick off a “statewide education initiative” about Amendment 10, or the “Protection Amendment.” “The amendment safeguards the interests of Floridians by protecting our right to vote, our families, our tax dollars, and our veterans,” […]

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 […]

Tag: constitutional amendment

‘The will of the people’: The coming brouhaha over sports betting in Florida

‘Historic’ ban on dog racing scores easy win with Florida voters

Poll: Dog-racing ban looks like it won’t make it to finish line

Direct mail round-up: Gambling amendment all ‘Tricks, no treat’

Farmers, ranchers, sportsmen now oppose dog-racing ban

‘No, dog. No!’ State rejects request for greyhound kennel tours

State asks court to reverse medical marijuana ‘home grow’ ruling

Marijuana smoking ban case smolders in appellate court

Local elected officers launch Amendment 10 initiative

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