The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association is throwing its considerable weight behind efforts to block legislation that would decouple live horse racing from card rooms and slot machines
The group produced and published a video opposing legislation on the move this Legislative Session that would allow, eventually, the state’s two existing thoroughbred horse tracks to end live racing.
The video highlights what could ultimately be the demise of this year’s decoupling effort: Gov. Ron DeSantis. It features DeSantis visiting the Ocala Breeders’ auction grounds to speak against the proposed legislation and reignite what has become a fierce battle for power between legislative leadership and the Governor’s Office.
The Governor’s comments are a major blow to those supporting decoupling legislation that would allow Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, the state’s only two thoroughbred horse racing tracks, to operate card rooms and slots without also hosting live races.
At issue are bills in both the House and Senate. The video specifically calls on lawmakers to vote “no” on the Senate version (SB 408). That bill is more generous than the House version (HB 1467), with a seven-year window proposed before tracks could end live racing. The House proposal would give five years. But the Senate version is stalled.
The House effort from Republican Rep. Adam Anderson began as a stand-alone bill (HB 105), but was later wrapped into the larger gambling package that cleared the Commerce Committee this week. That package is now moving to the floor. If passed, it could be sent to the upper chamber for consideration.
DeSantis’ opposition signals a likely veto should the measure eventually clear both chambers. And based on his comments, it doesn’t seem possible that amendments offering additional concessions to the thoroughbred industry would change his mind.
“On this issue with the horses, you know, it seems to me that they basically have proposals that will have the effect of harming the industry here in Florida to basically benefit one special interest. That’s not how you do good policy,” DeSantis said.
“I just look at it like, are you standing up for Floridians or not? Are you siding with folks that don’t even live here, or other interests? Or are you standing for the people?” he later added, referring to the Canada-based ownership team behind Gulfstream Park, which is pushing for the decoupling measure.
And if his opposition to this specific measure isn’t enough to ensure a veto, DeSantis’ ongoing general beef with the Legislature might. Also in his Thursday remarks, DeSantis made clear he’s not happy with lawmakers, particularly those in the House.
“I’m having to do battle with the folks in the Florida House of Representatives who ran on this record of success, said that they took credit for all of the achievements, and now they’re working in many respects to sabotage these Florida-first policies that have been very strong,” he said.
DeSantis added that he’s “having to play the role now of protecting the people of Florida from any sabotage that’s being done in the Florida House of Representatives.”
There are a lot of “ifs” still involved in the decoupling battle. With the Senate version stalled two weeks from Sine Die, that largely leaves the House version as the only hope for supporters. It’s on the House Special Order Calendar for Wednesday, leaving little time for the House to send an approved bill to the Senate and for any reconciliation between the two chambers that might be necessary.
And if it did pass and DeSantis vetoed it, getting a supermajority vote that would be needed to overturn his veto could be a challenge. The most recent vote in a House committee was 17-9, which exceeds 60% support, but only marginally.
There are also optics. While DeSantis and the Legislature have been waging a very public feud — most recently over investigations into Hope Florida, an initiative spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis — the Governor still maintains the bully pulpit. He proved Thursday he’s not afraid to use it.
“I understand the importance of the industry to the state, not just in terms of economy, which is, you know, it’s important, but you know, it’s like we’ve got a lot of good stuff going too. But to culture, and way of life, and things that people have known for many generations,” DeSantis said.
“And so, we’ll be looking at seeing what ends up being produced in the Florida Legislature. But you know, you can count me as one that is not going to look favorably on legislation that’s going to decimate any of our industries.”
The post National horsemen’s group, Gov. DeSantis pile on opposition to horse racing decoupling effort appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..