Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 9, 2018

Florida voters will be asked in November to decide the fate of the work product of the third Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) since the 1968 Constitution that created the CRC process. Currently, this CRC has produced perhaps as many as 13 additional ballot questions (total of 18 on the ballot) effecting up to 25 changes […]

Guest AuthorMarch 15, 2018

Consitution Revision Commission Proposal 67 would amend Florida’s Constitution and prohibit wagering on greyhound races, including ones sanctioned by licensed owners. According to the Division of Pari-mutuel Racing, there are 21 greyhound racing permit holders in Florida with 12 greyhound race tracks currently in operation. In addition to live greyhound racing, 11 of those tracks […]

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to bar the use of steroids in racing greyhounds cleared another committee Wednesday, as a poison-pill amendment was withdrawn at the last minute.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 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 6, 2018

One Senate bill aims to ban giving any steroids to racing dogs. Another would allow steroids for canine birth control. Now, the sponsor of the second bill is essentially trying to copy-paste his bill on the first. On Tuesday afternoon, Delray Beach Democrat Kevin Rader filed an amendment on Tampa Republican Dana Young‘s steroid ban […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

A bill to ban all uses of steroids in racing dogs has cleared a key Senate panel. The Regulated Industries Committee, which generally gets first crack at gambling-related bills, OK’d the measure (SB 674) 7-2 on Wednesday. State regulations now allow use only of a “low-dose, non-performance enhancing” form of testosterone in greyhounds, and only as […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

Calling it an “immediate danger” that needs “emergency action,” gambling regulators this week filed a temporary rule to allow them to keep testing racing greyhounds for drugs. The moves comes after an administrative law judge struck down the testing program, saying it was “invalid.” The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which regulates gambling in Florida, also asked Judge […]

Jim RosicaAugust 1, 2017

As promised, the Florida Greyhound Association is asking state gambling regulators to “reconsider” their decision to allow Miami’s Magic City Casino to discontinue live dog racing. The association filed a “motion to intervene” Tuesday. Ending racing there “will put (its) members … out of business,” the motion says. “The purpose … is to forever end greyhound racing at the track. […]

Jim RosicaJuly 21, 2017

In a decision sure to ripple through the state’s gambling interests, the Havenick family has won its years-long fight to drop dog racing at its Magic City Casino in Miami. A spokesman for the state’s greyhound breeders on Friday said they’re already working on a legal challenge to the decision, which has been long awaited by […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2017

The Florida Senate has seemingly fast-tracked the chamber’s gambling overhaul for this year, as its first panel gave unanimous thumbs up to the measure one hour into a meeting that had been scheduled to last four. The bill (SB 8) was cleared Wednesday by the Regulated Industries committee, which oversees gambling policy. It has only one […]

Tag: Jeff Kottkamp

Jeff Kottkamp, Paul Hawkes: Greyhound amendment does not belong in our constitution

Jeff Kottkamp and Paul Hawkes: Ending greyhound racing could cost state $500M

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

Greyhound steroids ban clears another committee

Ruff and tumble: Battle of greyhound bills on in Senate

Greyhound steroids ban moves in Senate

A ‘Red Bull rule’? State strikes back on drugs in race dogs

Greyhound group asks state to reverse decoupling decision

No more dog racing at South Florida casino, state says

Senate panel OKs gambling overhaul bill, including Seminole provisions