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Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2016

The House Regulatory Affairs Committee on Tuesday approved a trio of bills to reshape the state’s gaming industry, including bills to ratify the new Seminole Compact negotiated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Gov. Rick Scott. James E. Billie, chairman of the Seminole Tribe, said in a statement: “Seminole Tribe Chairman James E. Billie […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2016

As the state House of Representatives moved on its package of gambling bills Tuesday, the Senate hit pause and delayed consideration of the Seminole Compact and related legislation for another week. “My intention is to (temporarily postpone) the gaming bills today for one week to give our committee members the opportunity to digest the various amendments being filed,” state […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2016

A new television advertisement for the Seminole Compact ratchets up the drama, highlighting the current casino workers that the Seminole Tribe of Florida is threatening to lay off if lawmakers don’t OK the new gambling deal. The 60-second ad, “Saving Florida Jobs,” shows highlights from last Monday’s meeting between Gov. Rick Scott, tribal leaders, and Seminole […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

The Florida Senate and House of Representatives on Friday filed their gambling legislation for the 2016 Legislative Session, including the $3 billion Seminole Compact, a proposed “voter control of gambling expansion” amendment and two different rewrites of the state’s gambling code. The Senate’s version, posted at 4:29 p.m., is 81 pages and the House’s is 102 pages. There […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2016

After leaving room for doubt, the state senator in charge of overseeing gambling issues is putting the proposed Seminole Compact up for consideration. On Thursday, the Florida Senate’s website showed two proposed bills from Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican who chairs the Regulated Industries Committee, set for next Tuesday’s meeting at 1:30 p.m. One (SB […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 3, 2016

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said the proposed Seminole Compact will need “changes” if it’s to be approved this Legislative Session. Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican, spoke with reporters Tuesday night after a late House floor session. “We’re certainly focused on what details that bill can have in it that would work for this body,” he said, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

Workers at Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino are taking a field trip to Tallahassee on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Seminole Tribe of Florida. More than 100 of them, including table games dealers, will be asking lawmakers to approve the new Seminole Compact and save their jobs. On Monday, Gov. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

The fate of a new Seminole Compact and accompanying gambling legislation was thrown into question Tuesday when a key senator opened the possibility that neither may get to a vote this session. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, chairs the Regulated Industries Committee. It oversees gambling issues and has the first bite at the Compact. The panel already has […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

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Two post-5 p.m. Monday news releases painted opposing pictures of the renegotiated Seminole Compact. Ostensibly, the pact would allow the Indian tribe to retain its privilege as the only Florida casinos offering blackjack. In return, it would give the state $3 billion over seven years. Monday morning, tribal leaders met with Gov. Rick Scott as a public-relations […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe of Florida representatives on Monday earnestly began a hard sell of a new deal that would let the tribe keep blackjack at their casinos. Scott met with Tribal Chairman Jim Billie, other tribal leaders and gambling operations executives in South Florida in a meeting that was live-streamed on the Internet. […]

Tag: Seminole Compact
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

Capitol Reax: Gaming legislation, children’s dental services

Senate punts — for now — on Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Seminole Tribe releases emotional ad urging Compact passage

Legislature files gambling bills, including Seminole Compact

Senate schedules Seminole Compact for hearing

Steve Crisafulli contends Seminole Compact needs “changes”

Seminole casino workers to lobby lawmakers

Rob Bradley: No promises on Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Seminoles, No Casinos duel in end-of-day news releases

Rick Scott and Seminole Tribe begin PR effort for new blackjack deal