TALLAHASSEE ? With billion-dollar resort casinos and health-care privatization efforts up for grabs, major gaming and insurance interests are dominating the political money chase in Florida, new state fundraising reports show.
Florida Republicans, who control the Legislature, governor?s office and virtually all state agencies, are lathering themselves in cash from interest groups at the expense of out-of-power Democrats, who posted their worst fundraising quarter in at least six years.
The big checks are coming from an All-Star roster of Tallahassee political players.
Topping the list is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, the health-insurer hoping to cash in on the Legislature?s decision last spring to shift most of the state?s 3 million Medicaid patients into managed-care plans. The company has given $1.6 million so far this year to political parties, candidates, and political committees controlled by legislative leaders while the reform plan is still being negotiated between the state and federal government.
Gaming expansion is also eliciting political capital.
Legislation to allow resort-style casino construction in South Florida ? and potentially beyond ? will be a major issue in the 2012 legislative session.
That?s brought Genting, the Malaysian multinational that has already spent more than $300 million for bayfront property in Miami that it hopes to turn into a $3 billion resort and casino, into the Tallahassee money game. The company has given $185,000 to the GOP, all but $20,000 of it in the third quarter.
Not to be outdone, the Fontainebleau Hotel resort in Miami Beach gave $125,000 to the Republican Party.
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