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Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

The Senate’s gambling legislation for 2017 will be filed Thursday, according to state Sen. Bill Galvano. Bet on a lot of talk about it: The Regulated Industries Committee has set aside four hours to discuss it at its next meeting. A tentative schedule posted Wednesday on the Senate’s website shows its Jan. 25 meeting beginning at 2 p.m. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 10, 2017

The House Commerce Committee is poised to tackle everything from assignment of benefits to economic incentives, but it’s the most narrowly defined subcommittee that could be the busiest in the months leading up to, and during, the 2017 Legislative Session. The full House Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, met Tuesday morning to […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has paid the state nearly $20 million this month in gambling revenue share, according to public records released Tuesday. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation‘s “licensing and revenue intake system” shows two deposits of $9.75 million were made last Thursday. The agency regulates gambling in the state. That intake system is limited to single deposits of no more than $10 million, DBPR […]

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2016

A state agency that reports to Gov. Rick Scott isn’t clear on the location of millions of dollars the Seminole Tribe says it’s still ponying up from its gambling operations. A spokesman for the tribe last week said they have a “continuing desire to finalize a new gaming (agreement) with the state of Florida” that includes continued exclusive rights to […]

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

A Seminole Tribe of Florida spokesman Thursday declined comment on whether the tribe would stop payment to the state from its blackjack revenue. A source close to the tribe told FloridaPolitics.com on Wednesday that it’s considering not paying “one more dollar” to the state treasury without a new gambling agreement. According to a federal judge, it […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday held his cards close to his vest about the future of a gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen, general counsel Jim Shore and others were in Tallahassee Monday for meetings. Scott, who spoke with reporters after a Florida Cabinet meeting, didn’t get into specifics […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2016

Florida House Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran Monday said lawmakers again will consider a gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A federal judge earlier this month ruled the tribe can continue to offer blackjack and other “banked card games” to its Hard Rock Casino customers across the state, including the Tampa location. The tribe sued the […]

Jim RosicaNovember 9, 2016

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled the Seminole Tribe of Florida can continue to offer blackjack and other “banked card games” to its Hard Rock Casino customers in the state. In a 36-page opinion, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said the state had broken an exclusivity deal with the tribe, part of what’s called the […]

Jim RosicaNovember 1, 2016

A month after ousting their last leader, the Seminole Tribe of Florida on Tuesday announced it has selected Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. as its new chairman. He replaces James E. Billie. The tribe’s governing council removed Billie last month, citing disagreements over “policies and procedures.” Osceola’s selection was Monday. Billie actually ran for his job again, coming in second […]

Tag: Seminole Compact

Senate to set marathon 4-hour hearing on gambling bill

Seminole Compact, other gambling issues expected to be top priority in House Commerce committee

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016

Seminole Tribe pays state nearly $20M in gambling money

Where’s the Seminoles’ gambling money? State’s not clear

Seminoles still paying state blackjack money—for now

Rick Scott mum on meeting with Seminole Tribe

Seminole Compact still in play, Richard Corcoran says

Happy day at Hard Rock: Seminoles get to keep blackjack

In precarious position, Seminole Tribe picks new leader