Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 18, 2018

The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners — one of the state’s leading, full-service government relations firms — has added top policy adviser and legal counsel Jeffrey Woodburn to its team of experts in Florida, the firm has announced. Woodburn most recently served as policy director for Governor-elect Ron DeSantis‘ campaign. Woodburn “has deep policy, government, […]

Peter SchorschDecember 13, 2018

Ken Lawson, a veteran of Gov. Rick Scott‘s administration, will next lead the Department of Economic Opportunity when Ron DeSantis becomes Governor. That’s according to sources inside the transition team who spoke with Florida Politics on Thursday. (The hire was confirmed later in the day by an official news release.) Lawson is now president and CEO of VISIT […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 11, 2018

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Rep. Halsey Beshears will serve as the next Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis announced the hire Tuesday. Florida Politics first reported earlier this month that Beshears was under consideration for the post. “Florida’s trillion-dollar economy is founded on thriving businesses—from the small mom and pop shops to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2018

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It’s big news in Florida’s gambling world: The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course has gotten the OK from state gambling regulators to get out of the horse racing business. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering granted its petition for a declaratory statement on Thursday, records show. “Calder may operate […]

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 14, 2018

A Tallahassee administrative law judge has booted a Florida horsemen’s group challenge of a South Florida track’s gambling permit. The reason: “Jurisdiction over the issuance of the summer jai alai permit being” contested is in appellate court, not the Division of Administrative Hearings, Judge E. Gary Early wrote. “Thus, there is nothing for (the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent […]

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, […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 7, 2018

An appellate court has granted a request for oral argument in a dispute between the owners of a Tallahassee office complex and several state agencies who bolted on the master lease. Dockets reviewed Thursday show an argument date of Oct. 9 before the 1st District Court of Appeal in a lawsuit over Northwood Centre, a […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 6, 2018

A Tallahassee judge is challenging a Florida thoroughbred horsemen’s group to convince him he shouldn’t throw out a challenge of a South Florida track’s gambling permit. Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early on Wednesday gave the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) till next Wednesday to show him why he shouldn’t dismiss what he called “an impermissible […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 4, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has thrown out a case against the pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course, allowing it to keep its lucrative slot-machine license. The 35-page final order by Administrative Law Judge Lawrence P. Stevenson dismissed the challenge by the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA). The thoroughbred breeders and trainers had accused gambling regulators of erring when they […]

Tag: Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Personnel note: Jeff Woodburn joins The Advocacy Group at Cardenas Partners

Ken Lawson tapped to head DEO under Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis taps Halsey Beshears to be next DBPR Secretary

Scratched: State says track can stop racing horses, keep slots

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

Judge dismisses horse group’s challenge of Calder gambling permit

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

Oral arguments ordered in state office complex ‘bat poop’ case

Judge set to dismiss horse group’s challenge of Calder Casino gambling permit

Hold your horses: Judge tosses slots complaint against Calder