Civilian Police Oversight Boards; sports betting removes the barriers; and updates on trans health care policy in Florida

Civilian supervision of the police

More than two dozen cities and counties in Florida will lose their civilian-run independent police oversight under a new state law that takes effect July 1. The law prohibits local governments from allowing civilian boards to oversee or investigate complaints of police misconduct. And it allows police chiefs and county sheriffs to form their own boards to review overall policies, training and systemic problems. But advocates for independent review boards say the removal of civilian oversight will happen NO help increase confidence in the police.

Invited:

• Danny Riveroinvestigative reporter for WLRN.
• Rodney Jacobshead of the City of Miami Civil Investigative Panel department.

Online sports betting

The Seminole Tribe will retain control of online sports betting throughout the state. That’s after the US Supreme Court declined earlier this week to take up a challenge to an agreement that gave the Seminole tribe exclusive rights to handle online sports betting in Florida.

The nation’s highest court denied a petition by companies opposing the compact, which promises to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the tribe and state. The compact signed in 2021 gives the Seminole Tribe exclusive sports betting rights in Florida for 30 years. In return, the tribe will pay the state about $20 billion.

It’s the latest setback for the owners of Magic City Casinos, which operates poker rooms and gaming operations in Florida. Attorneys for two Florida pari-mutuel companies – Bonita Fort Myers Corp. and West Flagler Associates — had argued that the deal violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In March, the Florida Supreme Court also ruled against the companies’ challenge.

However, the ruling clears the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis to use proceeds from the agreement to pay for sea-level rise impacts and other resilience work.

The new ruling could also encourage other tribes across the US to follow the same path to operate online gambling.

Invited:

• Daniel Wallach, founder of Wallach Legal.

Gender Affirmation Care

Last week a federal judge blocked Florida from enforcing a law that bans sex grooming for minors and limits it to adults.

Judge Robert Hinkle found that the law — Senate Bill 254 — and related medical board rules violated the equal protection rights of transgender individuals and parents of minors in Florida. The state of Florida is appealing the decision.

Florida’s restrictions on gender-affirming care have had a chilling effect. In a poll last year by the Human Rights Campaign, the majority of trans and nonbinary Floridians surveyed said they had considered or made plans to leave the state.

Invited:

• Daylina Millermultimedia journalists for WUSF.
• Kathryn VarnTampa Bay reporter for Axios.

Weekly briefing

Events were held across the state this week to commemorate Juneteenth. While the national holiday was celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, many celebrations kicked off over the weekend. Included in Roberto Clemente Park in Fort Myers.

About 40 people took a bus tour of significant black history sites around Central Florida this weekend ahead of the June date.

June also marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate members of the LGBTQ community. For this occasion, an art exhibition in St. Petersburg is putting the strange joy in the spotlight.

And despite our year-round warm climate and lack of any natural ice … the passion for ice hockey is growing.

Chances are South Floridians remember who wins the sixth Stanley Cup game with the Florida Panthers in the running. The team is still just one game away from winning the trophy after losing 5-3 to the Edmonton Oilers in game five earlier this week. Game six is ​​Friday night.