Politics
Weekly Roundup: Mack Attack in GOP Senate Race
Around the State
The Republican field for the U.S. Senate gained a well-known contender this week and lawmakers got their first glimpse of a controversial gambling measure that has already attracted the attention of casino fat cats and "The Mouse."
While backers of resort gaming began testing the waters, a federal judge early this week ordered state officials to stop testing the water of applicants seeking temporary cash assistance from the feds in a battle pitting drug tests against federal protections from unnecessary searches.
But the judicial fireworks weren't limited to the federal courts, as state circuit judges heard testimony on church/state separation and pension contributions from state employees.
MACK ENTERS U.S. SENATE RACE:
U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (IV) entered an already crowded field of GOP hopefuls vying to challenge Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. The Cape Coral Republican brings to the race a recognizable name that has so far eluded the field. Much of that is based on the fame of his father, a former U.S. senator, and his great-grandfather, a baseball manager (Philadelphia A's) for more than 50 years in the early 20th century.
Mack's entry immediately brought attacks from contenders who already were arguing who is more outside the Washington establishment. It's been a recurring theme in a tea party-dominated primary season that even Pat Robertson worries is veering too far to the right.
"He knows firsthand from his many years working with the Washington establishment how broken our government is and I'm certain that voters will closely examine his record on job creation, immigration, and government spending," said Mike McCalister, a candidate in that GOP primary who has never held elected public office.
Mack's campaign responded that he is the most viable candidate to challenge two-term Democrat Nelson, but he still faces tough odds. A late March survey of GOP voters by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm based in North Carolina that regularly polls Florida, found Mack leading the race with 28 percent to 14 percent for George LeMieux and 4 percent for Adam Hasner. The candidate emerging from the field would still have to make up a double-digit gap with Nelson, though.
GAMBLING BILL:
While many issues have yet to percolate to the top of the legislative agenda, one sure bet for controversy took a step forward this week as backers of resort gambling showed their hand. A much-anticipated bill permitting up to three luxury casinos was filed Wednesday, accelerating an intense lobbying war that will play a big role in the legislative session when it begins in January.
The 142-page bill (HB 487) allows the state to issue up to three resort casino permits in counties where voters have already passed or would pass referendums approving expanding gambling. So far, only Broward and Miami-Dade counties have done so, but the bill, as written, does not limit the resorts to those counties only.
These are not strip mall Internet cafes. The proposal limits successful bids to those able to put together a development eclipsing $2 billion, of which gambling makes up no more than 10 percent of the footprint.
It also creates more government. Modeled after similar regulatory agencies in New Jersey and Nevada, the proposed Department of Gaming Control would strictly regulate gambling in the state, from pari-mutuel racetrack facilities to Internet cafes.
The proposal faces opposition from at least one business group. The Florida Chamber of Commerce has said it will fight the move to expand gaming in Florida. The statewide friend-of-business joins Disney as an opponent. The mouse that roars fears the luxury venues could prompt would-be Disney visitors to choose blackjack over Capt. Blackbeard.
The venues are being touted for their economic development potential. Meanwhile, state-backed efforts to lure businesses may not be getting as much bang for their taxpayer bucks.
The Department of Economic Opportunity released the names of six companies it says received state incentive money to create jobs but didn't deliver as many jobs as promised.
While backers of resort gaming began testing the waters, a federal judge early this week ordered state officials to stop testing the water of applicants seeking temporary cash assistance from the feds in a battle pitting drug tests against federal protections from unnecessary searches.
But the judicial fireworks weren't limited to the federal courts, as state circuit judges heard testimony on church/state separation and pension contributions from state employees.
MACK ENTERS U.S. SENATE RACE:
U.S. Rep. Connie Mack (IV) entered an already crowded field of GOP hopefuls vying to challenge Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. The Cape Coral Republican brings to the race a recognizable name that has so far eluded the field. Much of that is based on the fame of his father, a former U.S. senator, and his great-grandfather, a baseball manager (Philadelphia A's) for more than 50 years in the early 20th century.
Mack's entry immediately brought attacks from contenders who already were arguing who is more outside the Washington establishment. It's been a recurring theme in a tea party-dominated primary season that even Pat Robertson worries is veering too far to the right.
"He knows firsthand from his many years working with the Washington establishment how broken our government is and I'm certain that voters will closely examine his record on job creation, immigration, and government spending," said Mike McCalister, a candidate in that GOP primary who has never held elected public office.
Mack's campaign responded that he is the most viable candidate to challenge two-term Democrat Nelson, but he still faces tough odds. A late March survey of GOP voters by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm based in North Carolina that regularly polls Florida, found Mack leading the race with 28 percent to 14 percent for George LeMieux and 4 percent for Adam Hasner. The candidate emerging from the field would still have to make up a double-digit gap with Nelson, though.
GAMBLING BILL:
While many issues have yet to percolate to the top of the legislative agenda, one sure bet for controversy took a step forward this week as backers of resort gambling showed their hand. A much-anticipated bill permitting up to three luxury casinos was filed Wednesday, accelerating an intense lobbying war that will play a big role in the legislative session when it begins in January.
The 142-page bill (HB 487) allows the state to issue up to three resort casino permits in counties where voters have already passed or would pass referendums approving expanding gambling. So far, only Broward and Miami-Dade counties have done so, but the bill, as written, does not limit the resorts to those counties only.
These are not strip mall Internet cafes. The proposal limits successful bids to those able to put together a development eclipsing $2 billion, of which gambling makes up no more than 10 percent of the footprint.
It also creates more government. Modeled after similar regulatory agencies in New Jersey and Nevada, the proposed Department of Gaming Control would strictly regulate gambling in the state, from pari-mutuel racetrack facilities to Internet cafes.
The proposal faces opposition from at least one business group. The Florida Chamber of Commerce has said it will fight the move to expand gaming in Florida. The statewide friend-of-business joins Disney as an opponent. The mouse that roars fears the luxury venues could prompt would-be Disney visitors to choose blackjack over Capt. Blackbeard.
The venues are being touted for their economic development potential. Meanwhile, state-backed efforts to lure businesses may not be getting as much bang for their taxpayer bucks.
The Department of Economic Opportunity released the names of six companies it says received state incentive money to create jobs but didn't deliver as many jobs as promised.
Comments (1)
Mr. Connie Mack;
I won’t have any thing to do with you Mr. Mack. You showed your self to be another RINO-CINO on the order of John Manchurian McCain when you endorsed Mitt Romney. Don’t you know that we know who this double tongue master of duplicity, Mitt Romney, is??? How ignorant do you think we are that you could endorse another 0bama & we wouldn’t figure out what was going on? You, like Michele Bachmann, broke my heart. She voted to extend the ‘Patriot’ Act & you endorsed a big govt RINO-CINO of the worst kind.
So go on with your self.
At YouTube look up Snakes On A Campaign, Mitt Romney, by the Southern Avenger. That’s just for openers. The list is so long on Mitt that it’s hard to get it all on a single website. Look up, Mitt Romney Exposed. You’ll see what I mean.
You have to be a CINO insider. There is no way you can’t know about how phony, duplicitous & deceptive Romney is, yet you endorse him. And you used to be a hero of mine because I actually thought you were real. You are disgusting. I post about your betrayal of conservative principle every chance I get online.
Thanks but no thanks!
SamFox