Florida Greyhound Tracks Lose

Florida Greyhound Tracks Lose!

The Florida Greyhound Tracks had a losing Legislative Session.

They lost to the Seminole Indians.

They then tried to get a Tax Break for all Tracks and they lost that.

They then tried to get a Tax Break only for the Big Tracks from only Card Rooms and they lost that.

Then Thursday the St. Petersburg Kennel Club and Grey2K tried a last minute Amendment to abolish Live Greyhound Racing in Florida and Friday they lost that. The Hollywood Greyhound Track also assisted in this attempt.

Senator Denis Jones R-St. Petersburg, the Chairman of the Parimutuel Committee moved a Point of Order on the proposed Amendment and Senator Alex Villalobos R- Miami, the Rules Chairman, recommend that his Point of Order was correct and that the St. Petersburg/Hollywood / Grey2K Amendment was out of Order. The Senate President Jeff Atwater R – Palm Beach took the Rules Chairman’s recommendation and killed the Amendment.

Losing a Point of Order is very embarrassing for a Legislative Sponsor and for a Proponent of an issue because it means that the Proponents drafted the Amendment to the wrong Bill.

Senator Mike Bennett R-Bradenton was also prepared to offer the Point of Order. Senator Chris Smith D – Ft. Lauderdale / West Palm Beach was also ready to debate against the Amendment.

Miami Herald Blog Posting 4/30 1:30 p.m.

Senate rejects amendment to let greyhound tracks stop live racing

The loaded agriculture bill, which just got stuck with an amendment to allow certain workers to bring guns to work, was also being used as a vehicle to end live greyhound racing.

Under a proposal by Sen. Charlie Justice, dog tracks could decide whether they want offer gambling on live greyhound racing. They measure, supported by animal rights groups, was rejected as not germane to the ag bill.

“It makes little sense for the state to require dog tracks to lose money on greyhound racing,” said GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine Dorchak in a letter distributed to all Senators. “It also makes no sense for greyhounds to suffer needlessly. Having dogs run around in circles while fewer and fewer people watch, means that dog racing is simply a loss leader for newer, more modern forms of gambling.”

There are only 24 operational dog tracks in the U.S., 13 of which are in Florida. Because of the decline, state revenue from live greyhound racing has dropped 93 percent since 1989, according to the Grey2K Letter.

Jack Cory

Public Affairs Consultants Inc.

110 E College Ave.

Tallahassee, FL 32301