Lawmakers Prepare To Tackle Gambling In Florida, Again
September 4, 2013
Slot machines, blackjack and roulette are back on the table as lawmakers prepare once again to tackle the high-stakes issue of gambling in a state that everyone agrees is already one of the industry’s biggest cash cows.
But there’s little else the players and their opponents agree on.
Even as the Legislature awaits a final report on the economic impacts of gambling in Florida, the dog fight over who gets what kinds of gambling — and how much — is already ramping up.
The competing interests are hedging their bets. They’re hiring lobbyists, enlisting public-relations firms and stuffing campaign coffers, even while many privately admit the odds are against anything actually getting passed in 2014, an election year in which Republican Gov. Rick Scott is seeking a second term and legislators throughout the state will be on the ballot.
But many believe that a looming 2015 end to an agreement with the Seminole Indians that lets the tribe run table games like blackjack could tip the scales in favor of some resolution during the upcoming session.
Most of the players don’t want to wait until Senate President-designate Andy Gardiner, an Orlando Republican whose district is in the shadow of gambling foe Disney, and House Majority Leader Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, take over the helms of their respective chambers before the 2015 legislative session.
And lawmakers, who paid Spectrum Gaming Group nearly $400,000 for a gambling study, want plenty of time to revisit the Seminole compact, which took two full years — and a Florida Supreme Court opinion — to nail down in 2010 after then-Gov. Charlie Crist initially signed a deal with the tribe without the Legislature’s approval.
The threat of Crist’s return to the governor’s mansion, this time as a Democrat, when the compact must be re-inked or allowed to lapse on July 1, 2015, further complicates the already labyrinthine issue.
As was the case the last time the deal with the Seminoles was in the works, all of the state’s existing track and fronton operators are throwing their wish lists on the table.
They’re divided by geography and confounded by regulators who have made a series of policy turn-arounds as operators and their lawyers exploit loopholes in a patchwork quilt of gambling laws to maximize the pari-mutuels’ reach along with their profits.
“This go-round, like last go-round, will include all the interest-holders or stakeholders,” said Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, who serves on the Senate Gaming Committee and oversaw the compact negotiations for the House while serving in the chamber in 2010.
The Senate Gaming Committee will meet Sept. 23, the first day of committee meetings this fall, and hold hearings at four locations across the state late in October and in November.
“You have the 28 pari-mutuels. You have the eight pari-mutuels in Dade and Broward. You have the new interests of the resort destination entities. And this is an industry the participants, in my experience, seem to care more about what the other person doesn’t get than what they can get on their own. That makes it a very difficult group to manage and a difficult backdrop to create policy against,” Galvano said.
Industry lobbyists and lawmakers laid out a variety of possible scenarios.
In-state pari-mutuel operators want lawmakers to help their industry, or at least rein in their competitors, and are seeking lower taxes and more kinds of games, including blackjack and other banked card games. But they’re split on the kinds of permits the state should allow, and where gaming sites should be located.
Out-of-state casino giants hope the Legislature will sign off on at least one “destination resort” and finally bring Las Vegas-style gambling to the Sunshine State.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is seeking to beef up its flagship Hard Rock enterprise in Tampa Bay, already one of the most lucrative casinos in the world.
The state’s tourism and hospitality industries, backed by conservatives and evangelicals, are pushing lawmakers to put the brakes on continuously-growing gambling options.
One option would bring bingo-like slot machines, or “video lottery terminals,” to all tracks throughout the state. That could be a problem because it might violate the Seminole compact, which gives Indian tribes the exclusive right to have slot machines outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. That part of the compact lasts for another 15 years.
Another alternative would give Broward and Miami-Dade “racinos,” which already have slot machines, lower tax rates and more “products.” Regulators have already signed off on slot machines in South Florida that play like roulette and blackjack, but the tracks say they need the banked card games to compete with the nearby Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood.
The prospect of blackjack and banked games at South Florida pari-mutuels is fueled by speculation that the Seminoles may be willing to give up their monopoly on the games in Miami-Dade and Broward in exchange for certain exclusivity in Tampa Bay, along with the possibility of additional games such as roulette.
The Seminoles also face the threat of lawmakers simply allowing the compact to expire and having to turn instead to the courts, a lengthy and expensive process, meaning they might be more willing to make concessions in South Florida to protect the Tampa Hard Rock.
Tampa Bay Downs wants slot machines so the track can compete with Hard Rock. The horse track wants to use proceeds from the slots along with lower tax rates to boost purses and thereby lure better horses — and the bigger bets that ride along with them — to the track. Another possibility could give the Tampa Bay pari-mutuels the option of video-lottery terminals, something that the Seminoles would likely balk at.
There’s also an ongoing push by dog tracks throughout Florida to “decouple” greyhound racing from cash-rich card rooms. Under current law, dog tracks must run a certain number of races to operate card rooms. They, too, are demanding slot machines to boost a failing industry. The initial report to the Legislature from New Jersey-based Spectrum Gaming estimated that the state’s 13 greyhound tracks lost a total $35 million on dog races.
Also in the mix: scraps over different types of permits and attempts to move them.
Included in the discussion is the possibility of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation canceling or buying back permits that aren’t in use at the existing pari-mutuels.
“The special privileges in the pari-mutuel code have targets on them for repeal, and dormant and underperforming permits are going to be tools for gambling contraction,” said gambling lawyer Marc Dunbar, who successfully convinced regulators to grant a controversial rodeo-style barrel racing permit for a facility in Gretna of which he is part owner. An administrative law judge later said regulators erred in issuing the permit. Dunbar is now in the midst of a legal battle over an attempt to get a Miami-Dade County permit for Gulfstream Race Track, located in Broward County, because the property spans the county line.
That’s just one of 21 gambling-related lawsuits DBPR is involved in, pointing to the need for lawmakers to tighten the statutes.
“We are at a crossroads in our state with regard to gaming,” Galvano said. “To the extent that the Legislature can create a very specific, tight plan for the future, we need to do that. We do not need to have like we do presently a statutory framework that lends itself to a wide variety of interpretations.”
The money the state receives from the Seminoles — $250 million a year for schools — gives the Legislature an incentive to fold on any of the other options that could benefit the existing tracks.
“The one thing I’ve heard repeatedly is that the state’s not going to give up on the Seminole money. In fact they want to increase it,” said Dan Adkins, chief operating officer of Hartman and Tyner, which owns the Mardi Gras Casino in Broward County. “So when you add all that up where does it end? Does the state play a game of roulette with the Indians and roll some big plan out there just to try to get the Indians in line to pay more money? I don’t know.”
Many insiders say the jumbled state of gambling affairs cries out for the creation of an independent gaming commission.
“The Legislature needs to rein in the permit issuances and have a little bit stronger way of implementing policy in reference to gaming so that everything goes through a complete vetting process before anything happens. That requires the creation of a gaming commission. It probably should be done even if there is no parity and even if there is no additional gaming,” said Calder Race Course lobbyist Wilbur Brewton.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, who insists he is personally against any expansion of gambling, is playing his cards close to the vest as he waits for Spectrum’s final report, due Oct. 1.
“We’re pretty open. We want to do the right things. We want to be cognizant of the kind of gaming we have in the state of Florida, look at the current regulatory framework that exists, make a determination as to whether or not it’s working and then look at what Florida’s going to look like 20 years from now or what gaming in Florida is going to look at 20 years from now and make sure we’ve got a regulatory structure that’s going to meet the needs of that,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Pensacola Greyhound Park. File photo.
ECSO Neighborhood Watch Academy Accepting Applications
September 4, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is training a new generation of Neighborhood Watch leadership as part of their comprehensive approach to preventing crime.
Applications are now being accepted for the 16thNeighborhood Watch Academy to be held Tuesday, September 17 in the ECSO Administration Building at 1700 West Leonard Street in Pensacola.
The free training is being provided to neighborhood volunteers for new and existing Neighborhood Watch programs, or anyone interested in preventing crime.
The one evening seminar begins with a complementary meal at 5:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Should you wish to start a Neighborhood Watch group or simply make yourself less likely to be a victim of crime, organizers say this class is for you. Much of the curriculum covers basic safety and security tips for the home, anonymous reporting and crime prevention through environmental design.
To register or for more information, contact David Craig in the Community Services Unit at (850) 436-9281 or email gcraig@escambiaso.com.
Dozier School Dig Unearths Two Bodies
September 4, 2013
University of South Florida researchers have turned their focus to the arduous task of identifying the remains of two boys exhumed from half-century-old unmarked graves before returning to unearth more bodies from a now-closed Panhandle reform school.
A team of 10 USF researchers and graduate students Tuesday wrapped up a weekend of excavating a burial site that sits just outside the Boot Hill cemetery at the former state-run Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, which is in the Jackson County community of Marianna.
The remains of the two boys are among at least 50 sent to the school between 1900 and 1952 who were buried in unmarked graves, said Erin Kimmerle, a USF anthropologist who is one of the leaders of the excavation.
Others have claimed the body count could top 100.
“We found coffin hardware, a little bit of coffin wood, that was unexpected given the amount of time that has passed,” Kimmerle said. And “dental and skeletal remains, so we have samples to send off for DNA.”
The researchers intend to return in October or November — the drier the weather the quicker the return — to exhume bodies from unmarked graves in other locations on the once 1,400-acre campus that now sits closed behind chain link fencing topped with barbed wired.
The state hopes to eventually sell the land, a move that has been put on hold. With the approval of Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet, the university researchers have a one-year window to search the grounds for reportedly unaccounted-for bodies.
Questions have arisen about whether boys, who reportedly died of pneumonia and other natural causes, were killed at the school.
The work Tuesday included recovering the coffins. The bones of the two long-dead boys, one identified as having died after the 1930s, have been sent to USF’s secured Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. The hope is to determine who they were.
Finding the additional bodies isn’t expected to be that difficult as much of the ground has already been scanned and locations of potential grave shafts have already been mapped out. But Kimmerle acknowledged that identifying any remains will be a long-shot.
“As children, they didn’t have direct descendants and the parents had their last known address over 50 years ago,” Kimmerle said. “So you really have to find aunts and uncles, and then the cousins and go down a generation or two and find where these people are living today.”
So far, the researchers from the Tampa-based university have received voluntary DNA samples from 10 families that believe they have relatives who died at the reform school.
The Florida Emergency Mortuary Operations Response System provided assistance during the dig, while the search for relatives is being aided by cold-case members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Century Public Hearing To Discuss New Playground For Showalter Park
September 3, 2013
The Town of Century will hold a public hearing next Monday to consider a recommendation from the Century Recreaton Advisory Committee to submit a grant application to renovate the existing playground area at Showalter Park.
The town is submitting two grant applications to the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. FRDAP is a competitive program which provides grants to local governments for outdoor recreational projects. The grants are administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
A public hearing was previously held August 19 on a $125,000 grant application for a splash pad at the Anthony Pleasant Sportsplex.
The public hearing next Monday will be for a grant application for $50,000 to replace playground equipment at Showalter Park. The current equipment is in poor repair and is not designed for disabled users. If the grant is awarded for the playground equipment, no matching local funds will be required.
The public hearing will be held Monday, September 9 at 7:10 p.m. during a regular meeting of the Century Town Council. The hearing and the meeting are open to the public.
Grant applications are due September 30. The 2014-2015 FRDAP grants are contingent upon approval of an annual appropriation by the Florida Legislature.
Pictured top: A conceptual drawing showing a potential splash pad at the Anthony Pleasant Sportsplex in Century. Courtesy graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
$3.7 Million Project Making Safety Improvements On Jacks Branch Road
September 3, 2013
A $3.7 million project will enhance the safety of Jacks Branch Road.
The Florida Department of Transportation is funding the design and construction of the safety enhancements as a “Local Agency Program” project. Escambia County has bid the project, awarded the construction contract to Roads, Inc., and the county will manage the construction.
The work includes widening the travel lanes to 11 feet and added four-foot paved shoulders, along with some minor draining improvements. Escambia County will fund and perform milling and crack relief concurrently with the planned construction.
The project will begin at Muscogee Road to the south and end at Barrineau Park Road to the north.
Pictured: The intersection of Jacks Branch Road and Schifko Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Iconic Silver Screen Theatre Closes After 30 Years
September 3, 2013
An iconic Escambia County business announced its closure on Monday.
“After the end of the day, The Sliver Screen Theatre will be closing the doors for good. This will be the last day to watch a movie at The Silver Screen. We thank all of you for everything over the last 30 years,” the movie theater posted on its Facebook page about noon. “We hope to see you one last time.”
Over the years, The Silver Screen in Pensacola operated as a normal movie theater, a 99-cent theater and often advertised dinner and a movie combos. And it was known at one time for regular showings of the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.
“So sad to hear,” Jimmy Henry said on Facebook. “So many memories from my childhood as well as memories with my children.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Of 2013 Was 4th Wettest Ever
September 3, 2013
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Pensacola recorded 34.41 inches of rain this summer (June 1 – August 31). This was 13.64 inches above the normal summer rainfall of 20.77 inches. This made the summer of 2013 the fourth wettest on record. The wettest summer ever recorded in Pensacola was just last year when 39.19 inches was recorded.
A volunteer observer for the National Weather Service in Gonzalez recorded 47.01 inches of rainfall June through August.
Mobile recorded 23.25 inches of rain this summer. This was 2.93 inches above the normal summer rainfall of 20.32. The wettest summer in Mobile was way back in 1900 when 35.70 was recorded.
Pictured: Flooding on July 11 at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H To Hold Adult Volunteer Program Open House
September 3, 2013
There will be a 4-H volunteer recruitment open house session this Thursday for persons interested in the 4-H Youth Program in Escambia County.
Attendees will lean about requirements and guidelines, training opportunities, volunteer activities and the role of 4-H volunteers in the community. These 45 minute sessions will include a program overview, learning stations and projects exhibits; session times are 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road.
For information on the Escambia County 4-H Adult Volunteer Program or the open house, contact Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230.
Northwest Escambia Sweeps Baker
September 3, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Eagles swept Baker in their season opener on Saturday.
The NWE Freshmen defeated Baker 37-0. Kaden Dove, Liam Hatcher, Jackson Simmons and Zyonne Wesley all scored for the Freshman Eagles.
The NWE Sophomores defeated Baker 14-7. Kaden Odom scored one touchdown and extra point. Luke Bridges recovered a Baker fumble which resulted in Wright scoring a touchdown and Odom scoring the extra point.
The NWE Juniors beat Baker 40-7. Jaden Cunnigham ran in two touchdowns and one extra point. Jaheem Durant scored two touchdowns, running one back for more than 50 yards. Jayden Jackson also scored two touchdowns one a defensive touchdown after striping the ball from a Baker player. Michael Merchant scored one extra point.
The NWE Seniors beat Baker 44-0. Trent Kite scored two touchdowns, Seth Killam threw a long touchdown pass to Keeton Solmonson. Killam also returned an interception for a touchdown, Aunterio Minor ran in one touchdown and Cameron Cloud threw a touchdown pass to Tanner Deese.
Northwest Escambia’s Eagles will travel to Uriah this Saturday with games beginning at 2 p.m.
McDavid Man Charged With Shed Burglary
September 3, 2013
A McDavid man is facing multiple charges for allegedly burglarizing a shed on Sandy Hollow Road in Walnut Hill.
Haden Brock Howard, 19, was charged with felony burglary and grand theft charges for stealing a generator, chainsaws, a pressure washer and other power tools. Howard allegedly knew the victim’s family and knew that they were out of town during the weekend in which the items were stolen.
The family’s 14-year old son told deputies that he and Howard owed money to Howard’s drug dealer on Cypress Street in Walnut Hill, and the stolen items were traded for spice, marijuana and crack cocaine.
Howard was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allowing the 14-year old son, another 14-year boy and his 15-year old girlfriend the means to purchase and use crack cocaine, marijuana and spice in his presence.
Howard was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $14,000 bond.