Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

It’s the Florida Senate’s fault that the Seminole Compact wasn’t passed this session, two House leaders said Friday afternoon. They rejected claims there weren’t enough votes in the House, saying instead there was no point in moving a bill that wasn’t going to be considered across the Capitol Rotunda. (For Friday’s background, click here.) The […]

Jim RosicaMarch 4, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives “temporarily postponed” consideration of this year’s troubled gambling legislation, suggesting last-minute whip counts showed a lack of votes to pass the bills. Friday’s move signals that any possibility of legislative approval of the state’s new gambling agreement, or Compact, with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is dead for the session, which […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

If lawmakers fail to act on the Seminole Compact, the Tribe will pursue its own nuclear option, laying off 3,700 workers statewide at its casinos, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday. The governor spoke to reporters after a meeting of the Florida Cabinet. “My responsibility was to work to get a Compact done,” he said. “My […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

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Another week brings another television ad from the Seminole Tribe of Florida touting its new proposed gaming Compact with the state. The latest 30-second spot, titled “The Senate Weighs In,” highlights that a key Senate panel cleared the new agreement but that it still must be passed by the full Legislature. With less than three […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2016

A new television advertisement for the Seminole Compact ratchets up the drama, highlighting the current casino workers that the Seminole Tribe of Florida is threatening to lay off if lawmakers don’t OK the new gambling deal. The 60-second ad, “Saving Florida Jobs,” shows highlights from last Monday’s meeting between Gov. Rick Scott, tribal leaders, and Seminole […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 3, 2016

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said the proposed Seminole Compact will need “changes” if it’s to be approved this Legislative Session. Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican, spoke with reporters Tuesday night after a late House floor session. “We’re certainly focused on what details that bill can have in it that would work for this body,” he said, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

Workers at Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino are taking a field trip to Tallahassee on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Seminole Tribe of Florida. More than 100 of them, including table games dealers, will be asking lawmakers to approve the new Seminole Compact and save their jobs. On Monday, Gov. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

The fate of a new Seminole Compact and accompanying gambling legislation was thrown into question Tuesday when a key senator opened the possibility that neither may get to a vote this session. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, chairs the Regulated Industries Committee. It oversees gambling issues and has the first bite at the Compact. The panel already has […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

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Two post-5 p.m. Monday news releases painted opposing pictures of the renegotiated Seminole Compact. Ostensibly, the pact would allow the Indian tribe to retain its privilege as the only Florida casinos offering blackjack. In return, it would give the state $3 billion over seven years. Monday morning, tribal leaders met with Gov. Rick Scott as a public-relations […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe of Florida representatives on Monday earnestly began a hard sell of a new deal that would let the tribe keep blackjack at their casinos. Scott met with Tribal Chairman Jim Billie, other tribal leaders and gambling operations executives in South Florida in a meeting that was live-streamed on the Internet. […]

Tag: Hard Rock Casinos
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

House lays Seminole Compact failure at feet of Senate

Seminole Compact dies (again) in Legislature

Rick Scott says legislative inaction on Compact will cost jobs

Seminole Tribe “weighs in” with another pro-Compact ad

Seminole Tribe releases emotional ad urging Compact passage

Steve Crisafulli contends Seminole Compact needs “changes”

Seminole casino workers to lobby lawmakers

Rob Bradley: No promises on Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Seminoles, No Casinos duel in end-of-day news releases

Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe begin PR effort for new blackjack deal