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

Jim RosicaMay 12, 2016

Pam Bondi came ready to rumble against Frontier Communications — and it looks like she won. The state’s attorney general announced Thursday the Connecticut-based telecommunications company had “committed to improving communications and customer services in Florida.” “After a lengthy, productive meeting with Frontier executives, I am cautiously optimistic that Frontier disruptions in services will be quickly […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

The battle over Broward Bridge is over. The state’s Department of Corrections and Bridges of America announced a settlement Wednesday afternoon. The state had been planning to pull the plug on Broward Bridge, a residential program offering transitional counseling, drug treatment and other services to inmates on work release. Bridges, the Orlando-based nonprofit that runs the program, had […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

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Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 2 p.m. with the most recent Zika cases in the state. Gov. Rick Scott is heading to the nation’s capital to “meet with Congressional leaders on Zika preparedness,” his office announced. His daily schedule shows him departing the Enterprise Florida board meeting in Naples, his hometown, and departing […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

A former member of the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission said the group doesn’t have “jack” to do. That’s why the commission — charged with reviewing rules to protect the state’s environment — hardly ever meets, the person said. The former commissioner asked not to be named. But a current member explained the body, whose members don’t get paid, always meets when there’s business […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

The panel behind a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling again posted no new fundraising as of its April report. But Voters in Charge has nearly burned through the $195,000 given to it as seed money from the No Casinos anti-gambling expansion organization — awkwardly misspelled in a report as “No Cashinos.” The committee’s campaign finance report […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has tapped his former top environmental lawyer for a spot on the state’s Environmental Regulation Commission. But Craig Varn might not have a lot to do as a member: The commission has cancelled every one of its monthly meetings so far this year. Scott named him to the commission on Tuesday. Varn, 47, was general […]

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2016

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam isn’t yet sanguine about the future of Florida citrus. He reacted Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest crop forecast for 2015-16. The feds now expect 81.1 million boxes of oranges, up from 76 million boxes last month, according to Putnam. A so-far incurable disease called citrus greening is attacking fruit, causing it to turn green and […]

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2016

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University of North Florida President John Delaney is calling the school’s recent bond downgrade “a blip.” Delaney, a former Jacksonville mayor, spoke at Tuesday’s Florida Cabinet meeting about the slide. “I’d prefer to not even be here,” he said, half-jokingly. But Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam soon questioned the “the lack of notice of the downgrade,” saying “now we’ve got this […]

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2016

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Florida Gov. Rick Scott is telling #NeverTrump’ers: Get with the program. “My goal with regard to the presidential race is to get the Republican Party unified,” he said. The Naples Republican, who officially endorsed Trump, spoke to reporters after a Florida Cabinet meeting. “It’s a clear choice,” the governor said. “We’ve got a businessperson, Donald […]

Jim RosicaMay 9, 2016

When there’s something strange about your Frontier Communications service, who you gonna call? Or rather, who you gonna call that can actually do something about it? In Florida, it’s not clear. On April 1, Frontier took over Verizon‘s landline, internet and cable TV service in Florida, specifically for Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota customers. Since then, […]

Jim Rosica

Pam Bondi makes progress on Frontier service problems

Corrections settles case over prisoner program shutdown

Rick Scott to talk Zika in D.C.

Environmental review board doesn’t have much to do

Gambling amendment group not fundraising

Craig Varn named to environmental board that hasn’t met this year

Adam Putnam still cautious on citrus outlook

Governor, Cabinet caught offguard by UNF bond downgrade

Rick Scott: GOP need to unify around Donald Trump

Adam Putnam, Pam Bondi fight Frontier on spotty service

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.