Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2017

Lawmakers on Friday passed a bill requiring lottery ticket warning labels after removing a requirement that warnings also be displayed at counters where tickets are sold. The Senate approved the measure (HB 937) on a 23-15 vote, sending it back to the House. The House then OK’d that version 114-3. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, a Mount […]

Jim RosicaApril 28, 2017

A well-meaning idea could cost the state’s pot of money for scholarships and public education up to about $50 million. The House this week passed a measure (HB 937) mandating six different warnings, which would rotate, on Florida Lottery tickets and advertisements. They include “WARNING: GAMBLING CAN BE ADDICTIVE” and “WARNING: YOUR ODDS OF WINNING THE TOP PRIZE […]

Scott PowersApril 19, 2017

Proposals to require gambling warnings about the Florida Lottery moved closer to the floors of their respective houses Wednesday as committees in both the Florida House and Senate approved the bills. Senate Bill 1377 and Committee Substitute for House Bill 937 would require warnings to be printed on lottery tickets, and on signs posted in […]

Staff ReportsApril 10, 2017

Pending an appeal of a court order blocking a $700 million Florida Lottery contract, proviso language in the proposed House budget would appear to block officials from attempting to enforce its terms. The language within the budget bill, HB 5100 (see page 329) pertains to a $26.6 million appropriation to operate game terminals. It would […]

Les NeuhausMarch 14, 2017

For a second consecutive week, the Florida Lottery broke its own record, with total sales of more than $141 million, the game’s chief announced Tuesday. This record for the Sunshine State’s 29-year-old lottery comes despite a nasty lawsuit that pitted Florida Gov. Rick Scott against the state’s headstrong House Speaker, Rep. Richard Corcoran. For the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2017

A Tallahassee judge has invalidated the Florida Lottery’s $700 million contract for new equipment, essentially agreeing with House Speaker Richard Corcoran that the agency went on an illegal spending spree when it inked the deal last year. Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers issued her 15-page order late Tuesday afternoon. She presided over a nonjury […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2017

The Florida Lottery went on an illegal spending spree when it inked a multiple-year, $700 million contract for new equipment and “blew up” the state’s budget process, a lawyer for House Speaker Richard Corcoran argued Monday. The Lottery’s lawyer countered that it takes money to make money, and the agency simply did what lawmakers told it to do: Follow […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2017

A multiple-year, $700 million contract for new Florida Lottery equipment is “a complete departure from the way we’ve operated for many years,” a House budget analyst testified Monday. Bruce Topp, budget chief for the Government Operation and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee, was on the stand for the non-jury trial between the Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran over the contract, made final last year. […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2017

Lawyers for the Florida Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran will square off today in what’s expected to be a one-day trial. The non-jury trial, before Circuit Judge Karen Gievers in the Leon County Courthouse, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Each side has said they will call only two witnesses. The speaker sued the agency, which […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 27, 2017

The House of Representatives’ in-house lawyer also plans to call just two witnesses at trial in Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s lawsuit against the Florida Lottery. House general counsel Adam Tanenbaum‘s witness list was posted in court dockets Monday. Barry Richard, the Lottery’s outside lawyer, similarly said he plans to call only two witnesses. A non-jury trial is scheduled for March […]

Tag: Florida Lottery

Legislature passes Florida Lottery warning bill

Warning labels could cost millions, Florida Lottery says

Lottery gambling warnings clear two more committees

House budget language would undermine Florida Lottery contract

Despite lawsuit, Florida Lottery sees record sales; tops $100M for 2nd week

Scratched: Judge sides with Richard Corcoran, tosses out Lottery’s $700M contract

Lottery case now in judge’s hands; agency says it did no wrong

House witness calls Lottery contract ‘complete departure’ from protocol

Trial to begin in Richard Corcoran v. Florida Lottery

House also files short witness list for Lottery trial