Gambling Amendment Fight Has High Stakes
November 1, 2018
This is part of a series of stories in advance of the November 6 general election.
The words on the November ballot appear simple enough: “Voter Control of Gambling in Florida.”
According to proponents of Amendment 3, it’s not much more complicated than what the ballot title proclaims.
But the proposal’s foes — including dog and horse tracks, NFL teams and sports-betting firms FanDuel and DraftKings — say a “yes” vote for the proposed constitutional amendment would shut the door not only on expanded gambling in the Sunshine State but on games Floridians already enjoy.
Amendment 3, placed on the ballot by a political committee largely backed by Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, would give voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in the state. The change, if approved by 60 percent of voters, would require statewide approval of casino-style games, such as slot machines, in the future. Such decisions are now largely controlled by the Legislature.
The high-dollar fight over Amendment 3 has pitted the Seminole Tribe — who now has exclusive rights to operate casinos with Las Vegas-style card games, such as blackjack — and Disney — which has long opposed the expansion of gambling in Florida — against pari-mutuels and out-of-state betting operators.
“Voters In Charge,” the committee behind the ballot initiative, has spent more than $31 million on the effort. Proponents of the measure, such as the committee’s chairman, John Sowinski, are using voters’ distrust of politicians and “special interests” to shore up support for the constitutional change.
“This comes down to, who do you trust: the voters or the politicians and the gambling lobbyists?” Sowinski told The News Service of Florida in a recent telephone interview. “Their burden is to suggest with a straight face that things are better in the hands of politicians and the lobbyists who contribute to them and who influence them.”
Meanwhile, two groups trying to kill the proposal — “Citizens for the Truth about Amendment 3” and “Vote No on 3” — have raised a combined $8 million since forming in late July. The anti-Amendment 3 groups are backed largely by pari-mutuels and “racinos” — South Florida pari-mutuels that have slot machines — along with firms such as FanDuel and DraftKings.
“It’s really the fundamental loss of local control that bothers people, more so than any specific game or anything,” Isadore “Izzy” Havenick, whose family owns pari-mutuels in Miami-Dade County and Southwest Florida, told the News Service. “People in Pensacola shouldn’t be telling people in Miami-Dade County what they should do. And conversely, people in Miami-Dade County shouldn’t be telling people in Pensacola what they should be doing.”
The constitutional effort comes after the Republican-dominated Legislature has repeatedly failed to agree on sweeping gambling packages in recent years.
Among the issues that lawmakers have grappled with is whether to authorize slot machines in eight counties — Brevard, Duval, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Washington — where voters have approved the machines in referendums.
Legislators also have not gone along with pitches from national and international casino operators for “destination resorts,” swanky retail, lodging and gambling combos that proponents maintain could boost the state’s economy and deliver numerous high-paying jobs.
Unlike states like New Jersey and Mississippi, Florida also hasn’t taken advantage of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a federal ban on state-sanctioned sports betting. The Supreme Court decision cleared the decks for states to allow gamblers to legally bet on professional and collegiate sports teams, similar to what has been allowed in Nevada.
Approval of the constitutional amendment in November could cause Florida to lose out on millions of dollars from sports betting, incoming state Senate President Bill Galvano told the News Service. Illegal sports betting has long taken place in Florida and across the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s May decision “provides an opportunity for us to regulate and capture revenues from an activity that is currently going on in the state of Florida,” said Galvano, a Bradenton lawyer who’s been a chief legislative negotiator on gambling issues for nearly a decade.
“The revenues are substantial. If Amendment 3 is passed, we’d lose that opportunity and we’re hamstrung,” Galvano said.
But Sowinski contradicted the Republican leader.
“It doesn’t mean it’s prohibited,” Sowinski said. “It means that, if it’s casino gambling — and sports betting is casino gambling, under the federal law — it’s voters that have the last say on it, not politicians and lobbyists.”
Critics of the proposed constitutional amendment counter that entities with deep pockets, like the Seminole Tribe, will spend big bucks to kill any sort of gambling expansion.
If it passes, the amendment could also put an end to the popular and controversial “designated player” card games offered by pari-mutuel cardrooms. The lucrative games have been at the heart of a legal dispute between the state and the Seminoles, who pay the state at least $250 million a year in exchange for the exclusive rights to operate “banked” card games, such as blackjack, at the tribe’s casinos.
A federal judge sided with the tribe in the clash over whether designated player games breached the Seminoles’ exclusive rights to offer banked card games. After that ruling, the Seminoles agreed to continue make payments to the state, and gambling regulators promised to “aggressively enforce” the manner in which pari-mutuel cardrooms conduct the designated player games.
“Amendment 3 will clearly eliminate designated player games in cardrooms throughout the state of Florida. Period,” Jamie Shelton, president of pari-mutuel bestbet Jacksonville, told the News Service.
Like Havenick, Shelton argues the amendment would eliminate “local control” of gambling.
But decisions about thorny gambling issues now are largely in the hands of the Legislature.
“We’re dealing with an industry and an issue that is constantly morphing and changing. And without the ability to address it legislatively and the agility that that requires, you’re going to create real problems within the state of Florida, and you’ll end up creating a monopoly for the Seminole Tribe,” Galvano predicted.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Gillum Draws Crowds In Escambia County
November 1, 2018
Just six days before the election, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum brought his campaign Wednesday to predominately Republican Escambia County.
“Are y’all ready to win,” Gillum said as he took the mic during an outdoor event at Arlene Williams BBQ. “Y’all continue to overwhelm me here in Escambia County.
“Given the facts that the stakes are so high, a lot of people have said, ‘what are you doing up the Panhandle of Florida in the final six days of a race for governor? Aren’t all the Democrats down state?’,” he said. “And I said I am in Escambia County because there are voters in Escambia County….and so we are going there. And guess what y’all? I believe we are going to win this race.”
Gillum’s bus tour also made a stop at St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church.
With large chunks of the money coming from trial attorneys, a political committee backing Democrat Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign reported raising more than $2 million on Tuesday, according to the state Division of Elections website.
The Forward Florida committee reported $2.02 million in contributions dated Tuesday and had about $4.68 million in cash on hand heading into next week’s election. The latest influx of money included $250,000 from the statewide law firm Morgan & Morgan and $250,000 from the Pensacola-based firm Levin Papantonio.
An updated report for Friends of Ron DeSantis, a political committee supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, had not been posted on the Division of Elections website late Wednesday afternoon.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured top: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum campaigned in Escambia County Tuesday at Arlene Williams BBQ. Pictured below: Gillum also campaigned at St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church on Jordan Street. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Fall Festivals, Halloween Events (With Photo Galleries)
November 1, 2018
Thousands of people attended fall festivals and Halloween events across the North Escambia area Tuesday night.
For a Highland Baptist Church trunk-0r-treat photo gallery, click here.
For a other Halloween, fall festival and additional event photos submitted by readers, click here.
Pictured top and left: Trunk-or-treat at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Pictured below: Reader submitted photos from additional activities. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kelsie Taylor Padgett
November 1, 2018
Miss Kelsie Taylor Padgett, age 17 of Brewton, Alabama, passed away Monday, October 29, 2018, after extended illness. She was a native of Pensacola, Florida and a lifelong resident of Brewton, Alabama. Miss Padgett was a member of the Catawba Springs Baptist Church. She attended Flomaton High School where she was a majorette and cheerleader. She enjoyed life and loved her family and friends.
She is survived by her parents, Jeremy and Tracey Chavers Padgett of Brewton, Alabama; two sisters, Kaylee Padgett and Kensley Padgett of Brewton, Alabama; maternal grandparents, Ed and Mary Chavers of Flomaton, Alabama; paternal grandparents, Larry and June Padgett of Brewton, Alabama; paternal great-grandmother, Marie Haley of Arizona.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 2, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Catawba Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Edwards officiating.
Interment will follow in Green Acres Cemetery Brewton, Alabama with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders ATTN: Dr. Gregory Friedman 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, Al 35233.
Jeffery Shane Hinote
November 1, 2018
Jeffery Shane Hinote, 59, passed away at his home in Pensacola on October 25, 2018.
Jeff was born on November 11, 1958, in Milton, Florida to Rudolph and Joan Hinote. He joined the United States Postal Service in 1979 and worked there through his recent retirement in 2018. Jeff lived his whole life as resident of the East Pensacola Heights neighborhood. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle on long distance rides with the local Harley Owners group for many years. Jeff has always been an avid hunter with his longtime group of friends and will be missed by all.
Jeff is lovingly remembered by children, Shannon Bradley (Charlie) and Bryan Hinote (Lauren); grandchildren, Trenton Bradley, Jackson Bradley and Ava Hinote; his mother, Joan Hinote; sisters, Elizabeth Roberson (Wally), and Becky Snyder (Scott); brothers, Randy Hinote (Maxine), and Mark Hinote (Debbie); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Jeff will also be remembered and forever grateful to his dear friend Sandy Hogue for her support.
Jeff is preceded in death by his dear father, Rudolph “Rudy” Hinote.
A celebration of life service was held Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at Faith Chapel North.
Graveside services were at Crain Cemetery in Milton, FL.
Sunny, Low 80’s Today; Storms By Thursday
October 31, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 49. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Convicted Felon Arrested For Cantonment Shooting
October 31, 2018
A Cantonment man has been arrested in connection with a Cantonment shooting in July.
Ke’Shawn Denzel Bryant, 23, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
On July 28, Bryant allegedly shot an adult relative at his residence in the 1400 block of Muscogee Road.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that after he arrived at the residence, Bryant walked toward him and fired twice from about 10 feet away. He was struck in his right ankle and right upper thigh. Bryant immediately ran into a wooded area behind the residents, and deputies could not immediately locate him, according to an arrest report.
Bryant’s criminal history indicates he has been convicted six times of a being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Pictured: The scene shortly after a July 28 shooting in the 1400 block of Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Highway 97 Crash
October 31, 2018
There were no injuries in a two vehicle accident late Tuesday night on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
A pickup truck and 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe collided near a curve just north of the Walnut Hill Community Center about 11:25 p.m. The pickup truck came to rest in a wooded area, while the SUV came to rest about 400 feet away in front of the community center. The driver of the pickup and the driver and a passenger in the SUV all refused medical treatment.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Rate Decrease Approved For 2019
October 31, 2018
Gulf Power received unanimous approval Tuesday from the Florida Public Service Commission to pass along additional tax savings to its 460,000 customers in Northwest Florida.
Gulf Power also recently filed a separate request with the FPSC to reduce prices based on reduced fuel, conservation and environmental costs. In total, if all of the proposed changes are approved by the FPSC, the average Gulf Power customer using 1,112 kilowatt-hours per month can expect to see a $2.70 drop on their monthly electricity bill beginning in January. Customers who use more electricity will see more savings while customers who use less will see less.
The approval will reduce rates for 2019 and beyond by approximately $9.6 million on an annual basis and reflects the remaining tax savings resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The proposed decrease comes on the heels of the previous tax-related rate decrease of $103 million for 2018.
The tax savings are the result of federal tax reductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on Dec. 22, 2017, and became effective on Jan. 1, 2018. The decrease in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent reduces the amount of federal income tax Gulf Power will have to pay and allows the energy provider to pass that savings along to customers.
“We’re so pleased to be able to pass these additional savings along to our customers,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO. “The bottom line for the average customer is savings of about $32 per year that will begin in January. This will be the eighth time in 10 years we’ve been able to decrease prices.”
On the tax-related decrease, Gulf Power worked together to reach an agreement with the Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, The Florida Retail Federation and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to agree on how to deliver these savings to customers.
“Gulf Power, alongside the Office of Public Counsel and other groups reached an agreement that would bring the best short- and long-term value to our customers,” said Connally. “Beginning in January 2019, Gulf Power customers will see additional savings that will be reflected on their future energy bills. I’m excited that our prices will be the lowest they’ve been in five years.”
Bratt Elementary School Names October Students Of The Month
October 31, 2018
Bratt Elementary School has named students of the month for October. They are:
Pre-K
- Christian Madison
- Rileigh Barlow
Kindergarten
- Jackson Beasley
- Claeb Madison
- Ariel Alexander
- Cameron Hall
First Grade
- Cooper Rice
- Audrey Franklin
- Brylynn McGhee
- Chloe McCann
- Waylon Bell
Second Grade
- Landen Barlow
- Jamileon Syria
- Autumn Heist
- Carson Eady
Third Grade
- Logan Diller
- Madalynn Pittman
- Christain Roberts
- Evelyn Esparza
- Robbie Goens
Fourth Grade
- Dakota Richardson
- Crimson Davis
- Makayla Plato
Fifth Grade
- Carley Moore
- Luke Chavers
- Keeli Knighten
- Bryant Mason
Music
- Pryce Flowers