Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 11, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam will be raising money in Southwest Florida Thursday evening alongside former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp. Kottkamp, who was former Gov. Charlie Crist’s No. 2, and his wife, Cyndie, are hosting the fundraiser at their North Fort Myers home. The reception is set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. Joining Kottkamp, […]

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 RosicaApril 17, 2018

The group that represents the state’s racing-greyhound breeders and owners will challenge a proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw dog racing, its spokesman and lobbyist told Florida Politics Tuesday. Jack Cory, who represents the Florida Greyhound Association (FGA), said former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and former appellate judge Paul Hawkes, who also now represent the group, are working on […]

Jim RosicaApril 16, 2018

Florida voters will decide whether to outlaw greyhound racing under a proposed constitutional amendment approved Monday. The proposal (P6012) was passed by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on a 27-10 vote; it needed at least 22 votes. It will go directly to November’s statewide ballot, where it needs at least 60 percent approval to be added to […]

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 […]

Tag: Jeff Kottkamp

Jeff Kottkamp hosting Adam Putnam fundraiser Thursday

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 plan legal challenge of dog racing ban

Greyhound racing ban heads to voters

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