Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

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State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, the Florida House of Representatives’ point man on gambling, said Thursday said the Senate’s current version of the Seminole Compact and accompanying gambling overhaul is “too much” for his tastes – and that of his membership. “There’s a lot of extra slot parlors in the Senate bill,” said Diaz, the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

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Senate President Andy Gardiner says he’s still unclear whether changes made this week to the proposed gambling deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida would violate an existing agreement between the two. “We probably have to get some revenue estimating numbers to find out,” he told reporters after Thursday’s floor session. “There are […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2016

The proposed $3 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida got a boost Wednesday when a key Senate panel approved it and another related gambling measure. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee, which oversees gambling in Florida, approved both measures (SB 7072, SB 7074) with four senators opposed: Republicans Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2016

Slot machines could be expanded to six Florida counties that already OK’d them in local referendums under a new measure pushed by Senate President-designate Joe Negron. The Stuart Republican filed his proposal as an amendment to gambling legislation (SB 7072, SB 7074) set to be reviewed Wednesday by his chamber’s Regulated Industries Committee, chaired by state […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2016

The Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which approached Gov. Rick Scott in 2014 for a deal to offer gambling in Florida, essentially offered not to press for a Las Vegas-style casino with blackjack near Pensacola if the state wouldn’t fight their efforts to just open a poker-style cardroom. In return, the Poarch Creeks would […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

With the half-way mark of the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: “… so close/And yet so far.” Take the 2016-17 state budget, the only bill lawmakers are required to pass each year. The House came in at $79.9 billion with the Senate […]

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 […]

Ryan RayFebruary 9, 2016

The House Regulatory Affairs Committee approved a trio of bills that could reshape Florida’s gaming industry, mainly by ratifying a newly renegotiated compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and by separating pari-mutuel racing from the card games which have come to dominate those facilities. A panel passed all three bills sponsored by its Chairman […]

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 […]

Tag: Seminole Tribe of Florida

Jose Felix Diaz says House would “riot” over Senate gambling legislation

Andy Gardiner questions impact of changed Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Senate panel OKs Seminole Compact, gambling bill

Joe Negron may have votes to advance Compact plan that expands slot machines to 6 counties

Poarch Creek Indians offered to give up blackjack for their own gambling compact

Gut check: Legislative Session reaches midpoint

Capitol Reax: Gaming legislation, children’s dental services

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

House panel approves raft of gaming bills

Seminole Tribe releases emotional ad urging Compact passage