2015 Florida Legislative Session:

State of FL: 0, Greyhounds: 0

This year the State of Florida had the opportunity to pass two important measures that would help greyhounds during their 60-day legislative session which was set to end on April 30th. One bill would have permitted decoupling which would allow tracks losing money on live racing to end it but continue other forms of gaming. The other would require injury reporting at Florida greyhound racetracks to make the industry more transparent and let everyone know what is actually going on at Florida's tracks. In an unparalleled move, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli ended the session three days early citing a dispute regarding medicaid, forgetting about all of the other legislation that was still pending and needed to be addressed. Of course to us, greyhound legislation should have been at the top of the list since it deals with animals that have no voice and only run their hearts out, are often injured and sometimes die. It would appear that the state of Florida is trying to copy our National Congress as closely as they can in terms of being inept.

Letter sent via email on May 4, 2015

Dear Speaker Crisafulli,

The fact that the state of Florida cannot resolve such things as Medicaid is appalling, however, those affected always have the option to rise up and demand that you pay attention. The greyhounds of your state have suffered for almost 100 years because they do not have the ability to rise up on their own. They must rely on advocates such as myself to do it for them. This year you could have done something wonderful for the greyhounds, but instead you decided to push that aside, as well as many other important issues, because the Florida legislature is just so totally dysfunctional. If you came back in a special session only for the greyhounds to pass decoupling and injury reporting, you would have at least accomplished something great this year. Of course, there are many other great things you could have accomplished, but at least deal with the greyhound issues during the special session, especially since there is a precedent for it. That's how they dealt with Hurricane Andrew and pari-mutuel issues in 1993. I know because I was there.

Greyhounds are greyt as pets,

David G. Wolf
Director
National Greyhound Adoption Program

Click Here to Email Speaker Crusafulli

Letter sent via email on May 4, 2015

Dear Governor Scott,

I don't give a hoot that the legislators in Florida treat their constituents poorly but I do care immensely about the fact that they left greyhound legislation on the table once again, leaving dogs to be injured and die when they could have passed legislation that would have saved so many. When the legislature returns to deal with the budget, please keep in mind that in 1993 a special session was called to deal with Hurricane Andrew. At the same time, pari-mutuel issues were dealt with. Since there is a precedent, why not throw the greyhounds a bone this year? Support decoupling and record keeping legislation at the special session. With your help, maybe this year it can be done and you can save the state some money. You did it before in 1993, I know because I was there.

Greyhounds are greyt as pets,

David Wolf
Director
National Greyhound Adoption Program

Click Here to Email Governor Scott