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

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

google-to-offer-ride-sharing-service-to-compete-with-uber-1102870-TwoByOne-1024x1024.jpg

A leading state senator Thursday yanked his bill that would have benefited ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft, saying there was no compromise that pleased everyone involved, including the House. State Sen. David Simmons, the chamber’s Rules chairman, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

The 2016 tax package was back in the Senate Thursday, one day before the end of the 2016 Legislative Session, with state Sen. Dorothy Hukill trying to safely land the more than 100-page bill. Ironically, a watchdog group issued a report the same day that said the real tax problem in Florida isn’t at the state level, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2016

A bipartisan, last-ditch effort to pass a “decoupling” measure this Legislative Session took the form of an amendment tacked on to a deregulation bill late Tuesday. Two South Florida senators – Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, a Miami Republican, and Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat – filed the amendment to a Department of Business and Professional Regulation […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2016

The 2018 Legislative Session could be starting early under a new proposal OK’d by lawmakers and heading to Gov. Rick Scott. The bill (SB 7076) passed the House Tuesday on a 89-28 vote. It moves the start of the 2018 session up to January. In odd-number years, the state constitution requires the Legislature to begin on the first […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2016

A bill that could end “forever alimony” is heading to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott after passing the Florida Legislature Tuesday. The House passed the Senate family-law bill (SB 668) by a vote of 74-38 after Democrats tried but failed to tack on a last-minute amendment to ensure the bill can’t be applied retroactively to old […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday ordered the U.S. and state flags lowered to half-staff at “all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida” in honor of the late Nancy Reagan, the governor said in a statement. The flags will be lowered immediately and remain there till sunset on the day Mrs. Reagan […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A bill intended to end a fight between the state and several counties over juvenile detention costs passed the Florida Senate on Monday. The measure (SB 1322), sponsored by state Sen. Jack Latvala, was approved on a 38-0 vote. It requires “non-fiscally constrained counties,” generally more affluent, urban areas, to pay a total of $42.5 million for all detention […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

The same week that the Senate confirmation chances of its secretary – Surgeon General John Armstrong – continue dangling by a thread, the Florida Department of Health issued a news release in advance of an upcoming HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Armstrong has been criticized for, among other things, the state’s overall growing rate of HIV/AIDS. Thursday is the 11th […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-03-07-at-2.01.56-PM-1024x1024.png

House members on Monday began looking at a bill to provide money for a “proper burial” for those who died at a shuttered, but still notorious, boys’ reform school in the Florida Panhandle. The bill (SB 708) also authorizes the Department of State to “preserve historical resources, records, archives, and artifacts” related to the Arthur G. Dozier […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives on Monday began considering a bill to overhaul the state’s alimony and child custody laws. The Florida Senate already has approved the measure (SB 668), which changes the way judges may award spousal support with an eye on preventing what’s been derided by critics as “forever alimony” awards. State Rep. Colleen Burton, […]

Jim Rosica

Uber bill makes last stand in Senate

With clock ticking, tax package discussed in Senate

Decoupling measure quietly filed in Senate

Legislature could start early again in 2018

Alimony overhaul bill heading to governor

Rick Scott orders flags lowered for Nancy Reagan

Juvenile detention cost-sharing measure passes Senate

John Armstrong burnishes anti-HIV cred amid confirmation doubts

Dozier School bill moves to House

Bill overhauling alimony, child custody hits House floor