From: FGA
President Phil Ruotolo
The 2007 Florida Legislature convened this week and
has so far produced 25 bills dealing with cardrooms,
tribal-state gaming compacts, bingo, slot machines and video lottery terminals.
Your lobbying team will monitor these bills and
pursue opportunities to secure language that will benefit the entire greyhound
industry. During the legislative session, we will need your help -- in the form
of writing or calling legislators – to either support or oppose certain
bills.
Your lobbying team will provide you talking points
and contact information of key decision makers on legislative committees who
will vote on legislation.
We will also keep you up to date on developments
affecting Florida’s
gaming industry.
Bills of special interest (for information
only; no action needed yet)
- HB
951 (Dean) and SB 1192 (Fasano) would allow
pari-mutuel facilities to conduct cardroom games
regardless of live racing.
- HB
1447 (Dean) and SB 2434 (Geller) would allow video lottery games.
- This
bill would give the thoroughbred horse industry a 7 percent cut of purse
money.
- HB
471 (Robaina) and SB 2774 (Bullard) would allow
county governments to ies to hold a referendum
authorizing full gaming.
- HB 1419 (Cretul)
calls for purse accounts to include funds from pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machines, and any other form of
gaming. Horse owners would get a 7 percent share.
Other developments
Earlier this week, the Senate Regulated Industries
Committee heard a presentation about the status of the Seminole Indians’
efforts to secure Class III gaming in their casinos. The tribe has asked the
federal government to give final approval to its plans. As it stands now, the
state would get share of the gaming revenues.
Gov. Crist has asked the federal government to
postpone its decision. Meanwhile, bills filed by Sen. Steve Geller (SB 160) and
Rep. Jim Waldman (HB 209) would appoint Crist as the chief negotiator on this
matter. The negotiated agreement would require approval from the House and Senate, then would be forwarded to the U.S.
Department of Interior.
Report given by FGA Lobbying Team: Jack Cory,
Lena Juarez and Alisa Snow
