Miami Seaport Alliance Joined by Senator
The Miami Seaport Alliance, a group of concerned citizens, community leaders, and port stakeholders who have banded together to oppose a Major League Soccer stadium at PortMiami, says that Florida Senator Gwen Margolis (D-Miami) and 13 additional vice mayors and council members from municipalities across Miami-Dade County, have joined the alliance as members, bringing the total number of elected officials in opposition to a port stadium to 27. According to the Alliance, its purpose is to ensure that PortMiami remains dedicated to the operations that have made it the pride of the Miami-Dade community, as the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. A Major League Soccer stadium has been proposed for the southwest corner of PortMiami.
Pending Federal, State Legislation Threatens
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) could severely damage Florida's offshore gaming industry. Under existing federal law, offshore gaming in international waters is legal, unless state pass laws specifically prohibiting the activity. Wolf's bill (H.R. 316) would reverse the situation, requiring states wanting offshore casino boats to pass laws allowing them. However, state assistant attorney general Jon Glogau said passage of the Wolf bill would instantly nullify the 1987 amendment by then-state Sen. Gwen Margolis, which allowed day-cruise gaming. Unless Florida passed a new law after enactment of the Wolf bill, day-cruise gaming would be illegal.
