Florida state Senator Tom Lee recently announced he may introduce a constitutional amendment to ban greyhound racing in the state. Lee, a member of the Constitution Revision Commission and a candidate for chief financial officer of Florida, has spoken with several dog racetrack operators to “take their temperature,” an industry lobbyist said.
Lee is reviewing what effect ending greyhound racing might have on jobs. Besides live races, they also are simulcast and wagered upon across the U.S. Lee said, “It wouldn’t be optional. This isn’t decoupling. This would be a mandatory ban for dog racing in Florida, to just prohibit it.”
Decoupling refers to changing the state law requiring dog and horse tracks to run live races in order to offer card rooms and other gambling; tracks still could offer dog races if they choose to.
Lee’s proposed amendment must be filed by October 31 under state law, which also requires a Constitution Revision Commission to be formed every 20 years to review and recommend changes to the state constitution. Any amendments placed on the 2018 statewide ballot must be approved by 60 percent of voters.
