Jim Rosica, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court took a look at the high cost of lawyering on Wednesday. The justices considered a change to the rules governing the state’s attorneys on how they can get paid. Specifically at issue are “the legal needs of people who win settlements in personal injury or wrongful death cases but then find […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2016

Stephen Lawson tells FloridaPolitics.com he’s departing as communications director for Enterprise Florida for the same job at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Lawson’s last day at EFI is Thursday. He starts at DBPR next week, replacing Chelsea Eagle. She wasn’t immediately available Wednesday. Eagle departs in the wake of a high-profile battle with […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s admission this week that she personally solicited a political contribution from Donald Trump comes months after she evaded questions about it. That was in March, when — instead of directly answering — Bondi said she “hadn’t heard” about Trump’s representatives saying she asked for the money. The recent revelation came from Bondi’s spokesman to The Associated Press, […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2016

Florida Grown, the political committee that likely will fuel Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s 2018 bid for governor, posted more than $185,000 in contributions for May. Committees face a deadline for reporting their latest numbers on Friday. The committee released its figures early on its own website. Contributions include $100,000 from Florida Jobs PAC, a political arm of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, records show. “Commissioner Putnam is […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2016

The state of Florida and its Seminole Tribe each have filed motions for summary judgment in an ongoing gambling dispute. Both are locked in a federal-court dispute over whether the Seminoles’ casinos can continue to have blackjack tables, including casinos located in Tampa and in South Florida. The separate motions were filed last week. Granting such motions allows parties […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2016

A lawyer for a small North Florida racetrack told the Florida Supreme Court Tuesday the Legislature intended to allow for an expansion of slot machines in the state. Marc Dunbar, attorney for Gretna Racing, told the justices it was “the easiest case you’re going to hear today.” He said counties were empowered under the constitution and state law […]

Jim RosicaJune 6, 2016

A list of everyone who has blocked, or been blocked by, an elected official on Twitter might be a public record, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office. Then again, maybe not. “The question presented … involves mixed questions of law and fact that this office cannot resolve,” said an informal Attorney General’s advisory opinion issued last […]

Jim RosicaJune 6, 2016

Thanks to No Casinos, gambling is on the docket this week in the Florida Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the justices will hear oral argument in a case on whether to expand slot machines in the state. Then on Thursday, legal briefs are due in a review of a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling. Both matters involve the Orlando-based group opposed […]

Jim RosicaJune 3, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott won’t be able to appoint a new judge for the Palm Beach County court, the Florida Supreme Court decided Friday. The unanimous decision means Palm Beach voters get to pick a replacement for outgoing County Judge Laura Johnson. She resigned to run for a circuit judgeship. But the court did side with Scott on three […]

Jim RosicaJune 3, 2016

State Sen. Jeff Brandes has given $200,000 toward his own re-election, May fundraising reports show. His latest numbers, posted Friday, also show Brandes pulled in another $32,000 in contributions for the month. That brings the St. Petersburg Republican’s total raised to nearly $480,000 for this year’s election. He has cash-on-hand of more than $310,000. As of Friday, he […]

Jim Rosica
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Justices consider change to lawyer-pay rules

Personnel note: Stephen Lawson heading to DBPR

Pam Bondi’s March evasion on Donald Trump contribution becomes June admission

Adam Putnam fundraising committee, Florida Grown, raises $185K in May

State and tribe seek end to Indian gambling lawsuit

Lawmakers intended slots expansion, lawyer argues

Pam Bondi’s office can’t resolve Twitter public record question

Supreme Court takes up gambling this week

Court blocks Rick Scott from picking judge

Jeff Brandes seeds state Senate re-election campaign with $200K of his own money