Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 26, 2018

“With 11 days remaining, Amendment 13 is poised to pass,” said a top counselor to the Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 campaign on Friday, “and the race is trending our way.” The proposed constitutional amendment aims at ending live dog racing in the state. It needs no less than 60 percent approval from voters to be added to the […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 2018

The Margate City Commission has now joined other municipalities that support a proposed constitutional amendment banning betting on live greyhound racing. Commissioners on Sept. 26 unanimously approved a resolution (see below) supporting passage of Amendment 13. Such measures don’t have any effect of law but can be important in swaying public opinion. Margate, in Broward County, is […]

Staff ReportsOctober 2, 2018

In a new report for backers of a proposed constitutional amendment on greyhound racing, economist and financial advisor Hank Fishkind says “claims that Amendment 13 would cause economic harm are incorrect and not supportable.” Carey Thiel asked Fishkind, a former University of Florida economics professor, to “review claims of economic damage” by the amendment from […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 12, 2018

In light of a recent industry guest column regarding state gambling data, voters should ask themselves whether they can believe anything the greyhound industry says. Earlier this week, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation released new data on gambling at Florida racetracks. According to this report, betting at Florida dog tracks fell by 6.4 percent […]

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 […]

Tag: dog racing

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

Dog racing ban: ‘Yes on 13’ advisor confident of November win

Farmers, ranchers, sportsmen now oppose dog-racing ban

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

Margate City Commission votes to support dog racing ban

Economist: Amendment 13 criticisms ‘incorrect, not supportable’

Carey Theil: Dog racers gaslight while greyhounds continue to die

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