Tallahassee Florida: Calvin Holland, President of the Tampa Bay Greyhound Association, NGA President Charles Marriott and TBGA Treasurer Paul Caple journeyed to Tallahassee recently. The purpose of the visit was to lobby Members of the Florida Legislature and request their assistance in requiring the Tampa Greyhound Track to pay the nearly $200,000.00 in purses that is owed to the Greyhound Men and Women who have run at Tampa since 2001.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) notified John Hater, General Manager of the Tampa Greyhound Track that they were in violation of Florida Law in a letter dated March 16th. The State threatened “license suspension or revocation” if the Track failed to comply with statutory requirements.
Tampa Track is scheduled to begin racing the latter part of June. However, as of April 9,2004, kennel operators have refused to sign contracts until these past issues are resolved.
Appointments with Members of the Florida Legislature were coordinated by FGA lobbyists, Jack Cory and Tracy Hogan of Public Affairs Consultants of Tallahassee, NGA/FGA's Chief Lobbying Firm.
Dispute Jeopardizes TGT's Season
AUDIT SHOWS TRACK UNDERPAID PURSES
By Mike Pennetti
Tampa Tribune
April 2, 2004
TAMPA — A dispute concerning underpayment of purses in previous seasons could threaten Tampa Greyhound Track's 2004 meet, scheduled to begin June 21.
Members of the Tampa Bay Greyhound Association — independent contractors who operate the kennels that race at Tampa and Derby Lane in St. Petersburg — say they will not return to Tampa Greyhound Track until they are paid what they are owed from the 2001-02 and 2002-03 fiscal years.
Documents obtained by The Tampa Tribune from the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which include copies of the state audits of TGT purses, indicate underpayments of $144,212 for 2001-02 and $55,851 for 2002-03.
Purse amounts owed to the kennel operators are determined mainly by the "handle," or total wagering figure, on the track's live racing and simulcasting signals.
TGT General Manager Mike Hater said he has disputed the audit findings on the basis the state failed to consider overpayments from the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 fiscal years.
"We're hoping to get this resolved. It all has to do with the method of accounting in the purse audits," Hater said. "We're taking exception to the amount ... that the overpayment was not included."
TBGA President Cal Holland said he believes the 20 kennels scheduled to return to TGT will stand firm in their refusal to race unless the dispute is resolved, but that he is becoming more optimistic.
"I think [Hater] is going to pay us, probably shortly," Holland said Thursday. "Because if we don't get this resolved, he won't have any [kennels] to race.
"We don't really know the exact figures ... we just want to settle for what's due to us."
Dave Roberts, director of the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, said he cannot force TGT to make restitution to the kennel operators.
"The division only has the power to fine, suspend or revoke [a parimutuel license]," Roberts said last week. "But fines are limited to $1,000 per violation [or $2,000 total in this case], and suspending or revoking the license doesn't help anybody.
"I want this solved, too. "If it comes to a racing stoppage then it's affecting revenue to the state."
Roberts estimated state tax proceeds from TGT to average about $12,500 per performance. The track normally runs nine live racing cards per week for six months.
"We told the kennel owners we wanted to get this resolved as quickly as possible," Hater said. "We'll do everything in our power so the opening date is not affected."
(As of April 9, 2004 the issue is unresolved - FGA Office!>
