The campaign for slot machines, backed by $6.8 million in racetrack and casino money, continued its spending spree in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's slot machine election, according to state financial disclosure forms released Friday night.
But in an indication of the strength he could have had if he had entered the fray sooner, Gov. Jeb Bush was able to help raise $324,727 this week to fight slot machines in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Bush spent Friday in South Florida campaigning against the ballot initiative, which asks Broward and Miami-Dade voters whether they want slot machines in five race tracks and two jai-alai frontons.
With Bush's late but loud anti-slots rallying cry, his Republican friends like Gary Morse, a Central Florida housing developer, kicked in $100,000. Bush was also able to draw $10,000 each from Palm Beach County developer Mark Guzzetta and Miami-Dade developer Sergio Pino. The Florida Police Benevolent Association donated another $10,000 to fight slots.
The governor's campaign trip was paid for through Floridians for Responsible Spending, a political action committee created last year to back the governor's push to repeal the high-speed train approved by voters in 2000. The committee is now acting as the main anti-slots organization.
Still, even with the governor's last-minute push, the pro-slots campaign has millions to spend -- and has been spending it to convince voters that slot machines will bring extra money to Florida schools as well as add new jobs to the community.
With more than $3.5 million spent in the final three weeks before the election, the Yes for Better Schools and Jobs campaign has been pounding the pavement in search of voters and spending thousands on direct mail, phone calls and television ads.
Most of the money came from Magna Entertainment, Isle of Capri, Hollywood Greyhound Track and Monroe Development Corp. -- all companies with an interest in seeing slot machines at the five racetracks and two jai-alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
''What is there to hide?'' said Earl Bender, the lead strategist for the parimutuel industry's campaign to bring slot machines to South Florida. ``All of the companies involved here are participants in the parimutuel industry.''
Bush, though, lambasted the parimutuel industry for spending millions of dollars on an election that could draw fewer than 200,000 voters in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
''Now they've spent $6 million, apparently, in two counties, in a low-turnout race,'' said Bush, in front of anti-slots activists. ``It is time for us to say that we're not going to allow a $6 million campaign to win the day with false promises.''
OTHERS AT WORK, TOO
Several other anti-slots groups have been raising and spending money to fight slots. The political action committee of the Broward Workshop, a pro-business organization, raised $9,250. Donors included Causeway Lumber, the Lago Mar Hotel, and Miami Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga.
''I wish we had as much money as everybody thinks we have,'' said Alan Levy, chairman of the Broward Workshop.
The political action committee No Casinos, headed by Republican state Rep. Randy Johnson, raised $5,000 from the Florida Baptist Convention. Fort Lauderdale political consultant Dan Lewis spent $16,537 of his own money to fight slots.
OWNING UP
Until now, those fighting slot machines have been coy about their finances. Friday, anxious to avoid charges they were trying to hide the amounts they've raised and spent, consultants like Lewis released their spending reports early in the day.
Lewis's company, Strategic Technologies and Research, was paid $8,250 by the Broward Workshop to target mailings and phone calls to voters who signed up for absentee ballots.
Other money being spent against slot machines wasn't readily apparent Friday night. The Christian Coalition, for example, has spent thousands of dollars on voter guides and some television advertising, but isn't required to file state disclosure forms. The group reports to the IRS, not state or local election officials.
The group has spent as much as $100,000 on a television commercial expected to air over the weekend.
Herald staff writer Lesley Clark contributed to this report.
GAMBLING | CAMPAIGN FUNDING
Governor helps boost slots foes' finances
Financial disclosure forms released Friday show that Gov. Jeb Bush has had a major impact on the slot machine debate, despite his late entry.
By Erika Bolstad
ebolstad@herald.com
© 2005 Miami Herald
Saturday, March 05, 2005
The campaign for slot machines, backed by $6.8 million in racetrack and casino money, continued its spending spree in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's slot machine election, according to state financial disclosure forms released Friday night.
In a show of the strength he could have had if he had entered the fray sooner, the state's leading gambling opponent, Gov. Jeb Bush, was able to help raise $324,727 this week to fight slot machines in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Bush spent Friday in South Florida campaigning against the ballot initiative, which asks Broward and Miami-Dade voters whether they want slot machines in five race tracks and seven jai-alai frontons.
With Bush's late but loud anti-slots rallying cry, his Republican friends like Gary Morse, a Central Florida housing developer, kicked in $100,000. Bush was also able to draw $10,000 each from Palm Beach County developer Mark Guzzetta and Miami-Dade developer Sergio Pino. The Florida Police Benevolent Association donated another $10,000 to fight slots.
The governor's campaign trip was paid for through Floridians for Responsible Spending, a political action committee created last year to back the governor's push to repeal the high-speed train approved by voters in 2000. The committee is now acting as the main anti-slots organization.
MILLIONS TO SPEND
Still, even with the governor's last-minute push, the pro-slots campaign has millions to spend -- and has been spending it to convince voters that slot machines will bring extra money to Florida schools as well as add new jobs to the community.
With more than $3.5 million spent in the final three weeks before the election, the Yes for Better Schools and Jobs campaign has been pounding the pavement in search of voters and spending thousands on direct mail, phone calls and television ads.
Most of the money came from Magna Entertainment, Isle of Capri, Hollywood Greyhound Track and Monroe Development Corp. -- all companies with an interest in seeing slot machines at the five race tracks and two jai-alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Bush lambasted the parimutuel industry for spending millions of dollars on an election that could draw fewer than 200,000 voters in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties. ''Now they've spent $6 million, apparently, in two counties, in a low turnout race,'' said Bush. ``It is time for us to say that we're not going to allow a $6 million campaign to win the day with false promises.''
Several other anti-slots groups have been raising and spending money to fight slots. The political action committee of the Broward Workshop, a pro-business organization, raised $9,250. Donors included Causeway Lumber, the Lago Mar Hotel, and Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga.
The political action committee No Casinos, headed by Republican state Rep. Randy Johnson, raised $5,000 from the Florida Baptist Convention. Fort Lauderdale political consultant Dan Lewis spent $16,537 of his own money to fight slots.
COY ABOUT FINANCES
Until now, those fighting slot machines have been coy about their finances. Friday, anxious to avoid charges they were trying to hide the amount of money they've raised and spent, consultants like Lewis released their spending reports early in the day. Lewis' company, Strategic Technologies and Research, was paid $8,250 by the Broward Workshop to target mailings and phone calls to voters who signed up for absentee ballots.
Other money being spent against slot machines wasn't readily apparent Friday night. The Christian Coalition, for example, has spent thousands of dollars but isn't required to file state disclosure forms.
The group has spent as much as $100,000 on a television commercial expected to air over the weekend.
Herald staff writer Lesley Clark contributed to this report.