Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2016

A north Florida racetrack seeking slot machines is delving into legislative history to bolster its case. Gretna Racing’s lawyer on Tuesday submitted documents from the 2009 session to sway the Florida Supreme Court to expand slots play throughout the state. A ruling for the track could result in what critics fear will be the single biggest gambling expansion in the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 31, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has set June 7 as the date it will hear oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. The announcement was in a docket filing added Thursday. “A maximum of 20 minutes to the side is allowed for the argument,” the entry says. Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court Friday denied a request from former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham to participate in oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. Graham has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the matter brought by Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines. Graham, a Democrat who was governor 1979-87 and […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling has reported passing the signature threshold to merit consideration by the state’s highest court. The Voter Control of Gambling amendment has 69,336 signatures as of Monday morning, more than the 10 percent of total signatures needed to trigger Florida Supreme Court review. It’s the first step toward […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

Lawyers for Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines, this week asked the Florida Supreme Court to toss out former Gov. Bob Graham‘s friend-of-the-court brief in their case, saying he “has no right to raise a new issue from his position as a nonparty.” Graham’s brief opposes the operators of the racetrack. They argue they should be […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

Former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham on Monday filed his friend-of-the-court brief with the state Supreme Court, arguing against the expansion of slot machines. Graham’s brief is for a Gadsden County case in which the operators of a racetrack in Gretna say they should be allowed to also offer slot machines because voters […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

The group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling says it’s gathered 100,000 signatures toward getting on the 2018 ballot. The Voters In Charge committee on Monday said it is sending its latest collected signature to county Supervisors of Elections so they can be validated. The committee is chaired by John Sowinski, who […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2016

The votes against a new Indian gambling agreement started piling up Wednesday, as senators verbally shellacked Gov. Rick Scott’s policy guru about the terms of the deal. The Regulated Industries Committee, oversees the state’s gambling industry, held a workshop on the Seminole Compact, with Scott policy director Jeff Woodburn acting as point man to formally present […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2016

The head of an anti-gambling expansion group Tuesday announced a three-front war as lawmakers prepare to consider a sweeping deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that he said could “lead to the largest gambling expansion in state history.” John Sowinski, president of the Orlando-based No Casinos, told reporters he plans a legislative, legal and […]

Tag: No Casinos

Racetrack seeking slots files legislative documents to boost case

Florida Supreme Court orders oral argument in slots case

Supreme Court rejects Bob Graham’s bid to argue in gambling case

Gambling amendment passes first signature threshold

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Bock, bock: Gambling opponents call racetrack’s lawyers chickens

Bob Graham weighs in against expanding slot machines

Anti-gambling amendment cracks 100,000-signature mark

Senate starts dissecting new Seminole blackjack deal

No Casinos promises multifront war on gambling