Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2018

Gambling regulators this week said they plan to keep using an emergency rule that allows them to continue testing racing greyhounds for drugs. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates gambling through its Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, posted a “notice of renewal” in Thursday’s Florida Administrative Register. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 […]

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 RosicaMay 17, 2018

Photo above: Greyhounds racing on the track in Bonita Springs. Credit: Van Abernathy. As promised, the group that represents Florida’s greyhound owners and breeders is suing to keep a proposed constitutional amendment to rid the state of dog racing off the November ballot. But a top greyhound racing opponent quickly called the suit “dead on […]

Joe HendersonApril 17, 2018

The future of greyhound pari-mutuel racing in Florida will be decided right where it should be – at the ballot box. The Constitutional Revision Commission voted in favor of placing an amendment before voters in November to ban the, well, what is it exactly? It’s not a sport, despite what its supporters say. I guess […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2018

Despite a legal right to cut off the money, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has decided to continue paying the state its share of Indian casino gambling revenue each month. The Tribe “confirmed” its decision Tuesday night, according to its outside counsel, Barry Richard of the Greenberg Traurig firm, who participated in a conference call. The Tribe pays $19.5 […]

Jim RosicaApril 3, 2018

Despite increasing calls for and against a Special Legislative Session on gambling, the Seminole Tribe‘s lawyer continues to back his client’s promise to keep paying millions to the state. “They’re not just going to stop paying just because they have the right to,” said Barry Richard on Tuesday. That said, if lawmakers come back with […]

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2018

The lawyer that successfully represented a pig farmer who sued over the state’s ‘pregnant pig’ constitutional amendment now says another proposed amendment to do away with greyhound racing is legally sound. Broad & Cassel attorney M. Stephen Turner, who represented Florida pig farmer Stephen Basford, wrote an opinion letter – provided to Florida Politics Thursday – […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2018

A Senate bill to bar the use of steroids in racing greyhounds cleared another committee Wednesday, as a poison-pill amendment was withdrawn at the last minute. The measure (SB 674) was approved by the Agriculture Committee on a 8-1 vote, with only Delray Beach Democrat Kevin Rader opposed. Rader filed and withdrew an amendment that would have allowed […]

Tag: Florida Greyhound Association
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

‘Protect Dogs’ drops new video on greyhound industry

Greyhound breeders: Stay ‘positive’ in fight against racing ban

Regulators plan to keep using emergency rule on race-dog drug testing

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

Greyhound owners sue over proposed dog racing ban

Joe Henderson: Letting voters decide on greyhound racing is right call

All in: Seminole Tribe says it will keep paying state

Seminole Tribe’s lawyer says same old gambling proposals ‘won’t fly’

Greyhound racing ban passes legal muster, ‘pregnant pig’ lawyer says

Greyhound steroids ban clears another committee