Casino showdown in Tallahassee is averted after Miami billionaires come out in opposition
TALLAHASSEE
A push to advance legislation that could bring a casino to the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach appeared to be on life support Wednesday evening, shortly after a powerful group of South Florida business leaders threatened to descend on Tallahassee to fight the measure.
The proposal was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Regulated Industries committee on Monday, but news of the group’s plans resulted in a scramble that saw the bill withdrawn from the committee’s agenda less than three hours after it was posted.
Earlier Wednesday, Miami Beach officials had voted to accept use of a plane owned by billionaire auto magnate Norman Braman, along with funds from Braman and developer Armando Codina, to fly more than 100 officials and residents to Tallahassee for the anticipated hearing on Monday.
Those plans were quickly scrapped after news that the bill would no longer be considered. In a text message to the Herald/Times on Wednesday evening, Braman said there was “no reason to come” to Tallahassee anymore.
The quick turn of events was the culmination of an intense public and private lobbying effort that included GOP megadonor Ken Griffin — a hedgefund billionaire and new Miami resident — publicly opposing the measure and entities representing Jeffrey Soffer, the billionaire owner of the iconic Fontainebleau, advocating for the legislation.
On Tuesday, Griffin penned a letter to the editor in the Miami Herald opposing the measure. He doubled down on Wednesday, saying in a statement that the measure would “let the Legislature skirt the explicit will of the people.”
Soffer’s role in the legislative process also added to the casino palace intrigue. Entities tied to the real estate mogul poured more than $300,000 last year into PACs supporting state legislators, including nine Republicans who represent Miami-Dade County.
Soffer has a relationship with Gov. Ron DeSantis, who remains influential in the legislative process despite his failed bid for president.
DeSantis has been known to travel on a jet owned by Soffer over the years. While DeSantis has defended those trips, critics have said the travel arrangement is a way for special interests to get access to the governor.
DeSantis’ office did not respond to requests seeking comments on his stance on the bill. House Speaker Paul Renner, through a spokesperson, declined to comment when asked if he had talked to DeSantis or Soffer about the measure.
CHEERS IN MIAMI BEACH
During the Miami Beach City Commission meeting on Wednesday evening, Mayor Steven Meiner cut away from the regular agenda to announce there was “breaking news” on the gambling legislation.
Commissioner Alex Fernandez then announced that the city’s lobbyist in Tallahassee, Ron Book, had notified city officials that the bill was removed from Monday’s committee agenda and “will not be heard at all this session.”
The news drew cheers from those attending the meeting at the Miami Beach Convention Center, two miles south of the Fontainebleau.
THE PROPOSAL
The proposed legislation, if approved, would have let gaming-permit holders transfer their permits to a new location within 30 miles, and would have overrode any local government restrictions on gambling.
Gaming facilities have been banned citywide in Miami Beach since 2017.
Specifically, the bills said those with greyhound dog racing permits and authorization to conduct casino activities — such as Soffer’s Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach — should be allowed to relocate the operation of “all pari-mutuel wagering and gaming activities.”
Members of the MiamiDade legislative delegation on both sides of the aisle also have been increasingly speaking against the proposal.