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

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Legislation that would protect one’s “digital assets” after death has been passed by the Florida Legislature. The bill (SB 494) now heads to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk after the House passed it 116-0 Wednesday. The Senate previously approved it on a 36-0 vote. Under the bill, someone of a person’s choosing could have access to and control their financial […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

A judicial term limits initiative that is stalled in the Senate barely passed out of the House Wednesday. The House approved the measure (HB 197) on a 76-38 vote. Because imposing term limits on appellate judges and justices requires changing the state constitution, it needed three-fifths of the House, or at least 72 votes. A […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-02-24-at-12.36.48-PM-1024x1024.png

After a debate that included mentions of monsters, Robert A. Heinlein and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Florida House of Representatives Wednesday passed its 2016 business and economic incentives package, including the framework for Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. As bill sponsor Jim Boyd reminded members, it still has no funding: “This is a structure bill, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday rescheduled oral arguments for a hotly-contested proposed constitutional amendment on solar power. Arguments are now set for 11 a.m. on March 7, the court announced, with no more than 30 minutes allowed for each side. Among other requirements, proposed amendments to the state constitution must be OK’d by the court to ensure they cover only […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

After a House version died, the Senate version of a Stand Your Ground bill might be finding new life – in the House. And that’s if it can get on an agenda. The Senate bill, backed by state Sen. Rob Bradley, “shifts the burden of proof from the defendant to the prosecution” in pretrial hearings on whether […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

A new slots casino in Palm Beach County could be a winner out of the latest version of gambling laws to come out of the Florida Legislature this Session, state economists said Tuesday. The Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel of economic forecasters, talked about its assessments stemming from the Senate’s current gambling bill (SB 7072). The actual numbers were […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

House lawmakers spent nearly two hours Tuesday setting up the chamber’s 2016 business and economic incentives package, which will likely be debated and voted on by that chamber on Wednesday. A line of Democrats barraged sponsor Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, with questions on the measure (HB 1325) before it was finally rolled over to a third […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-02-23-at-11.49.04-AM-1024x1024.png

Another week brings another television ad from the Seminole Tribe of Florida touting its new proposed gaming Compact with the state. The latest 30-second spot, titled “The Senate Weighs In,” highlights that a key Senate panel cleared the new agreement but that it still must be passed by the full Legislature. With less than three […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

Screen-Shot-2016-02-22-at-5.57.01-PM-1024x1024.png

Say goodbye to all those yards of fake-wood laminate: The Florida Senate will be shedding the 1970s look of its chamber with a nearly $5 million renovation this year. Senate President Andy Gardiner, in a Jan. 6 memo to fellow senators, said the remodeling will begin this summer. A copy of the memo was provided to FloridaPolitics.com […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2016

A business that calls itself a “designated player services company” is suing the state over its crackdown of poker-style card games at several of Florida’s horse and dog racetracks. Elevated LLC, based in Tallahassee, sued in Leon County Circuit Civil court last week seeking an injunction against the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering “from prosecuting or […]

Jim Rosica
Image via AP.

Legislature OKs digital assets measure

House passes judicial term limits in close vote

House passes incentives measure desired by Rick Scott

Supreme Court reschedules oral argument for ‘Smart Solar’ amendment

Stand Your Ground bill revived in House – or is it?

State economists see Palm Beach as a winner under gambling proposal

House members grapple with incentives funding process

Seminole Tribe “weighs in” with another pro-Compact ad

No more ’70s paneling: Florida Senate readies for a refresh

State’s card game enforcement brings first lawsuit