Thread by @PeterSchorschFL

Lawmakers reconvene this week for a Special Session to consider a new 30-year Compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe that would expand gambling and legalize sports betting.

Here is a #FlaPol 🧵on who to watch this week:

#1, obviously, is @GovRonDeSantis himself.

Everyone I talk to says the Gov. is personally invested and involved in finalizing Compact.

He worked A LOT this past weekend to damp down dissension in GOP ranks with the deal. He does not want to have to sign a revised Compact.

Remember, @GovRonDeSantis has deep ties to Nevada/gaming industry.

Adam Laxalt was one of the earliest DeSantis for Gov. supporters. The Adelsons were and are major $$$ donors to his campaign. Etc.

Bringing Compact in for a landing is a point of pride for DeSantis.

#2 is biggest cheerleader for The Compact, @WiltonSimpson.

I could have told you'd there'd be a new Compact signed under Simpson when I noticed that he was, without much fan fare, on hand for the opening of the Tribe's new Hard Rock hotel in 2019.

Another motivation for @WiltonSimpson pushing hard for new Compact: B/c the previous one was shepherded by predecessor Bill Galvano.

All you need to know about that relationship is, well, look what happened this Session to Galvano's legacy project, M-CORES?

So tl;dr about @GovRonDeSantis & @WiltonSimpson: They're both relish the opportunity to finalize the kind of massive multi-year deal that neither of their predecessors (@SenRickScott, Galvano) could.

As for @ChrisSprowls, he's, smartly, let DeSantis and Simpson work the issue.

I reckon his state prosecutor background doesn't put him in love with gambling industry. + he has some genuine conservatives in his caucus he wants to respect.

.@ChrisSprowls priority this week, recognizing that a Compact has to go through, is establishing a Gambling Commission that has real teeth.

You know, like these guys...

Again, I don't think @ChrisSprowls is against the Compact, but making @VoteRandyFine chair of the committee that will be dealing with it is a sign that he wants it to be scrutinized.

No one is better prepared to do that than Fine, who worked in the industry before being elected.

How to describe @VoteRandyFine when it comes to his knowledge of gambling issues.

Well, it's like Ace Rothstein was elected to represent Brevard County.

He's going to be scrutinizing every aspect of the Compact. Heck, Fine could have written the Compact.

Other Fla. House members to watch this week:

Speaker-to-be @Paul_Renner, who is said to "have concerns" about Compact.

He doesn't want to be viewed as "leader of the opposition."

+ Other Speaker-to-be @Daniel_PerezFL is also Compact-weary.

Gov. leaning on both.

Another (likely) Speaker-to-be, @SamGarrison155, could play a major role this week.

He's the prime co-sponsor on the Compact bill (along with @BobbyPayyneFL) in the House and only freshman on one of the gaming bills.

Running point for @GovRonDeSantis Office, beyond the Governor, is relatively new Chief of Staff @AdrianLukis.

Already has first Session under belt; what a coup it would be for him to land Compact within first 90 days of taking job.

GC James Uthmeier also playing major role.

In the Senate, there was some, ever so slight, discussion over wknd that some members were having issues, but Sen Prez Office is confident of a deal.

Travis Hutson is carrying the bills.

Here's an interview that just popped:

floridapolitics.com/archives/42946…

Quick hits on some other members:

@DennisBaxley - Don't put him down as opposed just b/c he's usually so conservative

@JeffreyBrandes - Original proponent of legalized sports betting, but not sure he wants to give it to Tribe

@EdEhooper1 - He's not going squishy on deal

@Book4Senate - First chance as Dem. Leader to show what she's made of.

@FarmerForFLSen - He'll do his best to cause problems this wk. Put him down as someone not to pay attention to.

@DougBroxson & @SenatorGainer - I haven't spoken to them but sources say they have some issues

@DarrylRouson & @ToledoForTampa - I moderated a post-Session panel they were on and both articulated some very sincere concerns about the Tribe. Could be ones to watch during floor debates.

@DanDaley, because of his background in the issue of harness racing. Read his op-ed here.

floridapolitics.com/archives/42215…

As for outside players beyond the Tribe, there is no more important voice than @NoCasinos John Sowinski.

One of the smartest people in #FlaPol, he will be everywhere this week, arguing that the Compact is exactly the kind of expansion voters just said they want a say on.

Key lobbyists:

@NickIarossi, INFLUENCE Mag's Gaming Lobbyist of the Year, reps a variety of gaming & parimutuel interests.

He helped put together a coalition of non-Tribe pro-Compact lobbyists to shape some of the legislation to be debated this week.

floridapolitics.com/archives/42766…

The 'Marchitect' @ReichelderferM, one of the smartest campaign tacticians in Florida, is one of 11 lobbyists reppin' @DraftKings, which very much does not want to see sports betting handed over to the Tribe for the next 30 years.

There really are so many other players in this Special Session.

Smart folks like Marc Dunbar. Local players, esp, in South Florida like Norman Braman. Even media will play a role, hence @JimRosicaFL, who knows the industry better than any other Cap reporter, is coming off bench.

And, to close out, I will use this gif, which relates to nothing I've written per se, but b/c of its obvious gambling connections, will be deployed this week countless times to explain just how dizzying a Special Session on gaming can be.