Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2017

A federal judge has given an ex-aide to former state Sen. Maria Lorts Sachs till next Tuesday to explain why he shouldn’t provide information in his still-pending sexual harassment case. Matthew Damsky, then 28, had sued the Florida Senate in Leon County Circuit Civil court last year on gender discrimination and retaliation charges. The 68-year-old Sachs, first elected to the Senate in […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 27, 2017

An appeal to a federal judge’s ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe to keep offering blackjack at its Florida casinos now has been scheduled for an April 11 mediation, court dockets show. The state’s lawyers had asked the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for more time to file their initial brief in the appeal. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 14, 2017

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A federal case on the state’s new abortion law has taken another twist with a filing from Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office. Late Monday, her office notified the court of proposed rules related to the law that could affect Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle‘s consideration of a pending request for a preliminary injunction. The controversy in question involves part of the law […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2017

The state’s new abortion law sparked a contentious dialogue between a federal judge and a lawyer for the state on Friday. Part of that law requires those engaged in abortion referral or counseling services to pay a fee to register with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and provides for criminal penalties for not registering. The American […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2017

The state of Florida has filed an appeal to a federal judge’s ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe to keep offering blackjack at its casinos. The 7-page “notice of appeal” to the 11th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals was filed Thursday by Jason Maine, general counsel to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

The chair of the House’s gambling policy panel Thursday made clear what the elephant in the committee room would be this legislative session. “Everything we do is connected to this gaming compact,” said state Rep. Mike La Rosa, referring to the pending renewal of an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 5, 2017

A federal judge has turned down a request by a North Florida race track to alter his ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to keep blackjack at its casinos. But the loss turned out to be a win for the track’s own card games. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued his order Wednesday. Gretna Racing in Gadsden County had moved to intervene last […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has objected to a request by a North Florida race track to alter a federal judge’s ruling allowing the tribe to keep blackjack at its casinos. Greenberg Traurig attorney Barry Richard, who represents the Tribe, filed his memorandum in opposition to Gretna Racing’s motion to intervene last week, court records show. Its attorneys, David Romanik and […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

A federal judge has rejected the state’s request to reconsider his ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to keep blackjack at its casinos. In a two-page order, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said the “original opinion correctly analyzes the issues.” Hinkle had ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and horse tracks to offer […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is opposing the state’s asking a federal judge to reconsider his decision to let the Tribe keep blackjack at its casinos. The tribe filed a legal memo last week in opposition to the state’s motion. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and […]

Tag: Robert Hinkle

Senate demands information in harassment lawsuit against Maria Sachs

Blackjack appeal now headed to mediation

Pam Bondi steps into federal case over state’s abortion law

Federal judge sounds dubious on abortion counseling registration

State appeals federal ruling on Seminole Tribe blackjack

Lawmakers get ready for Seminole Compact, gambling debate

Judge says no to Gretna track in gambling dispute

Seminole Tribe objects to Gretna track’s intervention in gambling dispute

Federal judge won’t change mind on blackjack decision

Seminole Tribe objects to any about-face on blackjack ruling