Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2017

A unanimous Florida Supreme Court has ruled against a North Florida racetrack seeking to add slot machines. The 20-page decision, released Thursday, means that gambling facilities in Gadsden County’s Gretna and in seven other counties that passed local referendums allowing slots also will not be able to offer them. In doing so, the court upheld […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2017

The Senate capitulated to the House on several issues Thursday as part of ongoing negotiations to strike a compromise on gambling legislation, while holding firm on others. But the latest offer includes a key provision desired by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, OK’ing up to 1,500 slots machines in “facilities in referendum counties” with a requirement […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2017

The state’s highest court on Thursday gave its approval for proposed state constitutional amendments on voter approval of new gambling and restoring voting rights to ex-cons. But there’s a big ‘if’ before either can be placed on the 2018 statewide ballot—both amendments still need hundreds of thousands of signatures. Moreover, Justices Ricky Polston and R. Fred […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

The vast majority of Florida voters — 84 percent — “want to reduce or hold the line on gambling” and 60 percent also “are less likely to support a candidate … that votes to expand gambling,” a new poll released Monday shows. The latest Mason-Dixon poll included questions on gambling, according to a news release from No […]

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 […]

Guest AuthorDecember 8, 2016

Editor’s note: Former Florida State University System Chancellor Charles Reed died Tuesday at 75. Charlie Reed was a hard charger, a master legislative strategist, a fantastically successful leader in higher education, a consummate professional, and a class act. Reed became Chancellor of Florida’s State University System at about the same time that I became Executive […]

Scott PowersJuly 14, 2016

A new poll commissioned and released Thursday by the anti-gambling group No Casinos finds overwhelming majorities of Florida voters expressing strong reservations about the expansion of gaming and the politicians who would support such expansion. The poll, conducted by Hill Research Associates, found 75 percent of the voters surveyed did not think more gambling would […]

Jim RosicaJune 6, 2016

Thanks to No Casinos, gambling is on the docket this week in the Florida Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the justices will hear oral argument in a case on whether to expand slot machines in the state. Then on Thursday, legal briefs are due in a review of a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling. Both matters involve the Orlando-based group opposed […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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A former state Senator has signed on to represent the backers of a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling. Florida Supreme Court records show Miami attorney Dan Gelber filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Voters In Charge, the committee behind the amendment. Gelber, 55, also was Democratic leader when he served in the House and unsuccessfully […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

It’s not clear whether a proposed gambling-control amendment will help or hinder the state’s finances. A panel of state economists stalemated this week on the financial impact of the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference’s final report was hand-delivered to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Thursday. A summary reads: “The […]

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Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Florida Supreme Court rules against Gretna track, slots expansion

Senate and House move closer to deal on gambling bill

Supreme Court OKs gambling control, felon voting rights amendments

Poll: Most voters down on expanding gambling

Senate panel OKs gambling overhaul bill, including Seminole provisions

John Sowinski: On Charlie Reed, a legacy ‘beyond measure’

Anti-gambling group’s poll shows overwhelming concern about gambling in Florida

Supreme Court takes up gambling this week

Dan Gelber will represent anti-gambling amendment

Economists uncertain of gambling amendment’s effect