Change in State legislation gives authority to local governments for first time
Wednesday 29th August 2007
Local politicians in the southern American state of Florida will soon decide whether a proposed new poker room can be added to the local dog track; the first time such a decision has been placed in the hands of local municipalities.
The Town Council of Orange Park, a town of just over 9,000 people just south of Jacksonville, is scheduled to announce their decision on September 4. This will mark the first time that a town council in the state has voted to add a poker room to a local dog track following recent changes to the State’s legislation. The Florida Legislature changed State law in July to give municipalities authorising authority over pari-mutuel facilities.
In a straw poll earlier this year, the Orange Park Town Council favoured the idea four to one but Mayor Bob Standifer said he believed that the Council would keep an open mind regarding this issue.
'It's going both ways, there are people on both sides,' said Standifer. 'I look forward to hearing what people have to say.'
Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, operator of the Orange Park dog track, has established a website at PokerRoomEqualsJobs.com and is urging supporters to email the town and sign an electronic petition.
