Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressOctober 5, 2016

A crucial federal trial that could shape of the future of gambling in Florida is wrapping up. Attorneys for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state will give their closing arguments Wednesday. The second day of trial on Tuesday revolved primarily around the testimony of top gambling regulators. The trial could decide whether the tribe can […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2016

The head of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s gambling operations Monday testified the Florida House’s Republican Leader disengaged in 2015 during blackjack renewal talks. The next thing Jim Allen knew, state Rep. Dana Young of Tampa was announcing her own legislative package, an overhaul of state gambling law that cut out the tribe. Based on […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2016

Questions of “good faith” were the nub of the first day of trial between the state and the Seminole Tribe over its ability to keep offering blackjack to casino customers across Florida. Lawyers for both sides Monday focused on the elemental question of who was right and who was wrong in the beginning of this […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has consolidated its control over the “Hard Rock” hotel and casino brand, buying out remaining rights from the owner-operator of Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The deal was announced Friday in a news release. The terms were not made public. The acquisition means “the Hard Rock brand has now […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 29, 2016

With less than a week before a trial over their blackjack games begins, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has removed James E. Billie as tribal chairman. Billie was ousted Wednesday in a 4-0 vote of the tribe’s governing council, Law 360 reported, citing “various issues with policies and procedures of the chairman’s office.” Gary Bitner, spokesman for […]

Gary FineoutAugust 28, 2016

In the months leading up to the crucial primary election, Florida’s two political parties and affiliated committees took in millions from gambling interests, utility companies and others with a stake in the outcome of this year’s contests. Campaign fundraising reports filed late Friday showed that the Florida Democratic Party raised $4.72 million in cash compared […]

Drew WilsonAugust 23, 2016

Boca Raton Democratic Rep. Irv Slosberg put another $378,000 of his own money on the line in the Senate District 31 race, making for more than $1 million in loans since he entered the contest. Outside of the loan, the veteran lawmaker raised just $1,500 between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 — $1,000 from Florida Crystals […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 11, 2016

The second quarter was another strong one for Greenberg Traurig, which reported earning more than $1 million between April 1 and June 30. The Tallahassee-based firm reported a median compensation of nearly $1.06 million for its work lobbying the Florida Legislature in the three-month period. The earnings mean the firm will likely once again be among […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court has effectively decided the Seminole Tribe of Florida has to pay its utility tax — just like everybody else. The court on Monday, without comment, decided not to consider an appeal of a case in which the tribe contested having to pay tax on its electric and other utility bills. That […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2016

The state of Florida and its Seminole Tribe each have filed motions for summary judgment in an ongoing gambling dispute. Both are locked in a federal-court dispute over whether the Seminoles’ casinos can continue to have blackjack tables, including casinos located in Tampa and in South Florida. The separate motions were filed last week. Granting such motions allows parties […]

Tag: Seminole Tribe of Florida
Orlando Pride

Trial over Seminole casinos to wrap up

Dana Young backed out of blackjack talks, Seminole Gaming CEO says

‘Good faith’ at issue in Seminole Tribe blackjack trial

Seminole Tribe now fully controls Hard Rock brand

James E. Billie ousted as head of state’s Seminole Tribe

Florida political parties raise millions ahead of primary

Irv Slosberg gives another $378K to SD 31 campaign, now over $1M in loans

Greenberg Traurig had another million-dollar quarter, compensation reports show

U.S. Supreme Court to Seminole Tribe: Pay your utility tax

State and tribe seek end to Indian gambling lawsuit