The Melo Minute – May 21. 2021
May 21st, 2021 – Deal or No Deal Edition
Special Session on Gambling and Gaming
This week the Legislature held a Special Session to ratify the new gaming compact negotiated between Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Indian Tribe. The Legislature contemplated and approved bills relating to fantasy sports betting, mobile gambling, and more.
This new compact on gaming with the Seminole Indian Tribe is guaranteed to result in $500 million a year in tax revenue for the State of Florida over the next five years and is estimated to bring in an additional $20 billion over the next 30 years.
Since the Governor brokered the deal with the Seminole Indian Tribe he is likely to sign the bills into law soon!
COVID-19 Information
This week the CDC updated their recommendations on the use of masks. The recommendation that fully vaccinated individuals should wear masks has been dropped. Businesses may still implement their own rules.
According to FDOH’s May 17th vaccination report, Collier County had 201,030 (about 62%) of eligible individuals receive at least one dose of the vaccine. Hendry County has had 11,995 (about 40%). The State as a whole has vaccinated over half of those who are eligible.
What We’re Reading
Growing The Ag Workforce, A Classroom At A Time
SPW Staff
Florida Legislature Approves Seminole Compact by Historic Margins
Governor’s Staff
The Song of the Week!
If you have a suggestion for the next Song of the Week, let us know!
This week’s song is Kenny Rogers’s “The Gambler.” I bet you can guess why! This legislative Session has certainly raised the stakes by working out how to best serve the interests of Floridians with this gambling deal. We were certainly hit with a rough hand, but we went all in and made out with a sweet pot for all parties involved.
Fun Fact: This famous song was actually a cover. The song was written by Don Schlitz. It is about his relationship with his father — a non-gambler — and the life lessons he learned from him.
Thanking Our First Responders
Happy EMS Week! May God bless all of our first responders who put their lives on the line to save ours. Thank you for your service!
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Q&A’s
I have a great team here in HD80. We are always ready to help out!
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HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov
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Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80
