Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

This is one of two gambling stories in advance of the 2016 Legislative Session. For a separate preview focussing on the Seminole Compact, click here. A big gambling overhaul bill won’t be on the menu this legislative session, but expect a swirl of other gaming-related topics to bubble up, including fantasy sports play and creating a state gambling commission. One […]

Associated PressDecember 8, 2015

Want a sure bet? The gambling agreement between Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe is going to face changes during the next three months – if it’s approved at all. The deal signed Tuesday calls for a guaranteed $3 billion over seven years for Florida in exchange for the state agreeing to limit the […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2015

The Everglades Foundation, Audubon Florida, the Nature Conservancy, and the H2O Coalition of the Associated Industries of Florida. What do all of these political players have in common? They scored a massive victory Tuesday all thanks to the Florida House of Representatives. A loud symphony of applause came in the form of a three-page news release where countless groups praised and thanked […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 23, 2015

Like so many others, I am really worried about my friend Nick Iarossi, one of the founders of the lobbying firm Capital City Consulting. As Jim Rosica reported Tuesday, gambling giant Las Vegas Sands is abandoning its push for a destination casino resort in Florida. Part of thie move includes Sands canceling its contract with […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 23, 2015

The Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s decision to abandon efforts to build a destination casino in Florida is “good news,” says an anti-gambling group. The No Casinos organization in Orlando sent out a press release Tuesday night saying the Sands’ “so-called ‘integrated resort,’ which is industry-speak for giant casino, would (have caused) economic harm to small […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 23, 2015

The Las Vegas Sands Corp. is giving up its efforts to get a destination casino resort in Florida, its Tallahassee lobbyist confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Nick Iarossi, the Sands’ Florida lobbyist, said chairman Sheldon Adelson and other company heads made the decision over the weekend. Iarossi said the company as of Monday has been canceling consulting contracts for […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 12, 2015

Marco Rubio brings his vision of a “New American Century” to Texas next week with a high-profile fundraiser reception in the exclusive Dallas suburb of Highland Park. Real-estate investor Harlan Crow and his wife Kathy will present the $2,000-per-couple event, scheduled for Tuesday, September 22. Host reception begins at 6:30 p.m.; general reception is at […]

Peter SchorschMay 22, 2015

First of all, Memorial Day commemorates something completely sober that transcends the material: the brave sacrifices by countless Americans made to secure our freedoms, safety, and values. So much so, that our elective representatives have set a day aside where public institutions are closed and where people are encouraged to do the same in their own ways. […]

Bruce RitchieApril 8, 2015

A House property rights bill prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a Florida landowner was amended Wednesday to resolve many concerns raised by local governments. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

Ryan RayMarch 31, 2015

It’s been said many times and many ways but in light of the host-committee dynamics behind Marco Rubio‘s April 7 breakfast fundraiser in Tallahassee, it bears repeating: the road to Florida’s 2016 GOP presidential contest may well run through the Las Vegas estate of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Rubio was reportedly on the outs with the Adelson people after declining an invitation […]

Tag: Nick Iarossi
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

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Gambling deal with Seminole Tribe still has long way to go

Environmental community scores big in Florida House on Tuesday

Poor Nick Iarossi: What will top lobbyist do after losing Las Vegas Sands as a client?

Anti-casinos group ‘vigilant’ despite Sands leaving

Las Vegas Sands calls it quits in Florida

Marco Rubio to hold major fundraiser Sept. 22 in affluent Dallas suburb

Memorial Day is brought to you by these Florida lobbyists, Publix, and a slew of political associations

Property rights bill clears final House stop with fewer local government concerns

Marco Rubio’s Tallahassee fundraiser: a keyhole into the “Sheldon Adelson primary”?