Two of Florida’s Senate Democrats, Lauren Book and Gary Farmer, found themselves in a tiff this week during the legislature’s special session wherein an expanded gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe is expected to be approved.
The city of Davie, represented by Senate Democrat Leader Lauren Book, will benefit from extra gambling revenue fees from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Those revenue fees were diverted to Davie from the city of Hollywood, where the casino is located. Revenue sharing from the new compact is one of the many questions being ironed out during the special session.
But Book has another connection to the city of Davie – one that has nothing to do with being its elected Senator.
Her father, Ron Book, is employed as a lobbyist for the city. He openly pushed for higher revenue fees for Davie, which is his client.
Sen. Gary Farmer (D-Broward), once the Senate Democrat Leader himself, took issue with the new deal, and implied that Davie only got its way because its senator is the daughter of a powerful lobbyist. He said the deal had a “stench.”
Florida Politics detailed the relationship between Farmer and Book. Book replaced Farmer in the role of Leader just last month.
Book blamed Farmer’s comments on “bad blood.”
“I think it’s unfortunate that Sen. Farmer believes that I don’t have a job to represent my constituency and fight for them vociferously here in the Legislature,” Book reportedly told Florida Politics. “That’s what they sent me here to do. And so it’s unfortunate that he wants to put his hurt feelings about some of the other things that have gone on here in the way of policymaking.”
Ron Book also blasted Farmer.
“This is more bad misogynistic behavior by Sen. Farmer,” he reportedly said.
The casino revenue fees are meant to compensate cities for the municipal services they will provide when the gambling compact goes into effect. For example, some cities will provide more fire and police services for the casino. Others will see increased traffic on their roads, which are paid for via local taxes by the residents of those cities.
The Books argued that the city of Davie legitimately deserves 25 percent, instead of 10 percent of the revenue fees. That drops Hollywood down to 40 percent. Ultimately, they agreed that Davie would receive 22.5 percent, while Hollywood receives 42.5 percent.
Farmer sees the situation differently.
“I think it was inappropriate for anybody to handle the amendment, but especially her,” Farmer reportedly said. “I think if somebody else had done the amendment, it would at least take away some of that stench.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Lauren Book”by Lauren Book and photo “Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino entrance” by Valerie CC 2.0.
