TALLAHASSEE ? Malaysian-based Genting wants to build a $3 billion resort casino in downtown Miami. And they?re hiring an All-Star team of Florida lobbyists to make it a reality. Since summer, gaming interests of all varieties have hired nearly three-dozen lobbyists in to lay the groundwork for debate on the resort casino bill filed this week.
And all sides are throwing gobs of cash at ruling Republicans; Genting alone has coughed up more than $200,000.
Since the company bought The Miami Herald building last spring, it?s hired a dozen lobbyists, including uber-fundraiser Brian Ballard; ex-education commissioner Jim Horne; ex-congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart; and Democratic lobbyists Sean Pitts and Nancy Texeira.
The company even retained former Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson to lobby Gov. Rick Scott?s office, while Mardi Gras Gaming ? which has given $55,500 this year ? turned to another ex-minority leader, Steve Geller of Hallandale Beach, to lobby against the Malaysian multi-national.
Other companies with resort casino ambitions, like Las Vegas Sands, are giving to Associated Industries of Florida, the business lobby that doesn?t oppose gaming.
But Walt Disney usually gets its way in Tallahassee.
The company is opposed to the expansion of gaming and?has given more than $417,000 to state political parties, candidates and committees this year. It?s also beefed up its lobbying team by hiring former Republican Party of Florida executive director Andy Palmer.
Keep reading.
And here?s a list of all the legislative lobbyists hired by gaming interests of all sorts?since June:
| Principal Name | Last Name | First Name | Eff Date | NAICS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dania Entertainment Center, LLC | Dyal | Stephen | 10/25/2011 | 713200 |
| Dania Entertainment Center, LLC | Fearington | Mercer | 10/25/2011 | 713200 |
| Dania Entertainment Center, LLC | Smith | James | 10/25/2011 | 713200 |
| LakeFron, Inc, d/b/a Ocala Jai-Alai | Cherry | Brian | 10/19/2011 | 713290 |
| Arcola Systems Florida, LLC | Fess | Julie | 10/18/2011 | 713290 |
| Tampa Bay Downs, Inc | Bussey | Jonathan | 10/18/2011 | 713290 |
| Tampa Bay Downs, Inc | Roth | Cari | 10/18/2011 | 713290 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Pollock | Daniel | 10/17/2011 | 721120 |
| Florida Electronic Scratch Off, LLC | Henderson | Cynthia | 10/14/2011 | 713290 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Lukis | Sylvester | 10/12/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Turbeville | William | 10/12/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | McCann | Joseph | 10/6/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Bell | Patrick | 10/4/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Horne | James | 9/29/2011 | 721120 |
| Genting/Bayfront 2011 Property, LLC | Traviesa | Anthony | 9/20/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Pittman | Sean | 9/19/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Texeira | Nancy | 9/19/2011 | 721120 |
| Diamond Game Enterprises, Inc | DiBenigno | Leo | 9/16/2011 | 713290 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Diaz-Balart | Lincoln | 9/7/2011 | 721120 |
| Florida Horsemen?s Benevolent & Protective Association, Inc | Colodny | Michael | 8/31/2011 | 711212 |
| Florida Horsemen?s Benevolent & Protective Association, Inc | Karlinsky | Fred | 8/31/2011 | 711212 |
| Florida Horsemen?s Benevolent & Protective Association, Inc | Mask | Trevor | 8/31/2011 | 711212 |
| Florida Horsemen?s Benevolent & Protective Association, Inc | Pierce | Jennifer | 8/31/2011 | 711212 |
| Florida Horsemen?s Benevolent & Protective Association, Inc | Stanfield | Timothy | 8/31/2011 | 711212 |
| Florida Horsemen?s Benevolent & Protective Association, Inc | Webb | Katherine | 8/26/2011 | 711212 |
| Bayfront 2011 Development, LLC | Ballard | Brian | 8/5/2011 | 721120 |
| Bayfront Property 2011 LLC d/b/a Resorts World Miami | Curbelo | Carlos | 7/15/2011 | 721120 |
| Fertitta Entertainment | Blair | Robert | 6/23/2011 | 721120 |
| Fertitta Entertainment | Corcoran | Michael | 6/23/2011 | 721120 |
| Fertitta Entertainment | Johnston | Jeffrey | 6/23/2011 | 721120 |
| Fertitta Entertainment | Stewart | Amanda | 6/23/2011 | 721120 |
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