Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Tag archive

John Sowinski - page 3

Senate starts dissecting new Seminole blackjack deal

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The votes against a new Indian gambling agreement started piling up Wednesday, as senators verbally shellacked Gov. Rick Scott’s policy guru about the terms of the deal. The Regulated Industries Committee, oversees the state’s gambling industry, held a workshop on the Seminole Compact, with Scott policy director Jeff Woodburn acting as point man to formally present the details. No vote was taken. After sometimes withering questioning from South Florida GOP Sens. Anitere Flores and Democratic Sen. Gwen Margolis, committee Chairman Rob…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

2016 Legislative Food Fights: Seminole Compact faces skeptical Legislature

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The back-and-forth and backroom dealing is over, and lawmakers soon will publicly comb through the new blackjack deal between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The 63-page document revived the old joke around the Capitol: It contains something for everyone … to hate. And that means the tribe’s lobbyists will be working double-time to get some version of it through The Process.  Last year’s lobby team kept a relatively low profile: Emily Buckley, Gus Corbella, Hayden and Angela Dempsey, Fred Dickinson, Charles…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

No Casinos blasts Chamber poll on Seminole Compact

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The head of an anti-gambling expansion group says a new Florida Chamber of Commerce poll “paints an inaccurate picture of public opinion” regarding a new proposed blackjack agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. On Thursday, the Chamber released poll results showing three-quarters of voters say blackjack “has been good for the state” and that lawmakers should approve a new deal that lets the Tribe continue to offer blackjack in return for a $3 billion cut over seven years. Later…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Chamber of Commerce poll shows support for Seminole blackjack deal

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The Florida Chamber of Commerce came out in support of the new Seminole Compact on Thursday, releasing poll results showing three-quarters of voters say the blackjack deal “has been good for the state.” The deal, negotiated by Gov. Rick Scott, allows the Seminole Tribe of Florida to continue offering blackjack at its casinos in return for a $3 billion cut to the state over seven years. In 2010, the tribe agreed to pay at least $1 billion into the state treasury for rights…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Today on Context Florida: #BadDealforFlorida, alimony reform and Good Karma $1

in Apolitical/Top Headlines by

Today on Context Florida: When state lawmakers approved the original 2010 gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, John Sowinski says they promised Florida residents it would serve as a firewall against the further expansion of gambling. The proposed renewal of the compact is a complete violation of that trust. In fact, he adds, the renegotiated compact will lead to the largest gambling expansion in state history, taking South Florida in the direction of Las Vegas and Atlantic City while creating pressure…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

No Casinos jump-starts anti-gambling campaign with $195K check

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Anti-gambling group No Casinos Inc. launched a new political committee late last month and jump-started its fundraising with a $195,000 check. Voters in Charge paperwork reached state elections officials Oct. 21 and the contribution followed two days later. The committee is chaired by No Casinos President John Sowinski and Abby Dupree is listed as the treasurer, a title she also holds for Let’s Get to Work, the committee supporting Gov. Rick Scott. The committee was formed to back a 2018…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Meet Sara Johnson, one of the ’30 under 30′ rising stars of Florida politics

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

It’s been a busy year for Sara Johnson. Since joining the anti-gambling expansion No Casinos team in early January, Johnson has spoken to more than 35 civic groups, radio shows and political clubs, along with a bevy of community leaders. The 21-year-old got an early introduction to hectic paces. At 14, she attended her first TeenPact Leadership class and learned about the legislative process, later volunteering for her first campaign: The 2008 constitutional amendment on marriage, which passed with 62 percent of the vote. Sara eventually…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

1 2 3 4
Go to Top