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

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

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

The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill regulating “transportation network companies” such as Uber and Lyft, and mandating insurance and other requirements. But the measure also includes a provision that may not find favor in the Senate: It vests regulatory power over the ride-booking services solely with the state, cutting out local bodies such […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

Florida-Approves-5-Nurseries-To-Grow-Medical-Marijuana-1024x1024.jpg

A plant nursery that was awarded a license to grow medical marijuana has filed a lawsuit in Tallahassee “to protect (itself) from any unnecessary delay in cultivating and dispensing” the product. The lawsuit by Chestnut Hill Tree Farm was announced Wednesday evening in a news release. The suit was not yet listed in Leon County Circuit […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The same state agency now calling designated-player card games illegal was calling them “in compliance” with state gambling law as recently as last July, records show. What’s not clear is what caused the about-face. The enforcement is happening at the same time that lawmakers are considering whether to approve a new “compact” with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The head of a Jacksonville racetrack and card room says the state was unfairly targeting pari-mutuels for running illegal card games, especially when state regulators oversaw the games being set up. Howard Korman, president of Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, which does business as BestBet, spoke at a Senate Regulated Industries Committee meeting on Wednesday. The Department […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

In the first step of a long process, a House panel approved a measure that would allow Jacksonville to “repurpose” a local public-works tax to plug a $2.6 billion hole in the city’s public pension plans. The Finance and Tax Committee cleared the plan (HB 1297), which is backed by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. It would use money […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

A bill to legalize and regulate fantasy sports play in Florida cleared its first Senate review panel on Wednesday. The Regulated Industries Committee OK’d the “Fantasy Contest Amusement Act” (SB 832) with only two ‘no’ votes from Sen. Gwen Margolis, a Miami Democrat, and committee chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican. The bill states that “fantasy […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

A standing-room-only crowd came out early Wednesday to hear retired NFL coach Tony Dungy speak at this year’s Legislative Prayer Breakfast held in the Capitol. Dungy, an evangelical Christian, was a longtime player and head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. It was with the Colts that he became the first black coach […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

State gambling regulators this week filed complaints against seven racetracks in Florida, saying they’re operating illegal card games, according to documents obtained through a public records request. The pari-mutuels targeted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates gambling, include: Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach, Magic […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2016

State Sen. Joe Negron has filed a new version of his bill to legalize and regulate fantasy sports play in Florida, including a provision to create a new “Office of Amusements.” Negron, a Stuart Republican and Senate President-designate, filed the new “Fantasy Contest Amusement Act” (SB 832) on Tuesday. It grew from four to 12 pages. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida hopes its latest TV ad is “Guaranteed” to win lawmakers over. The ad uses clips from last week’s Senate Regulated Industries Committee, the panel with gambling oversight responsibility, where legislators first started looking at the deal. It “highlights the guaranteed revenue share to the State of Florida under the new gaming compact,” […]

Jim Rosica

House passes bill to regulate Uber, other ride-booking services

Medical pot grower files lawsuit to “protect” its interests

Emails show state’s about-face on card games enforcement

Racino executive speaks out on card-room controversy

House panel OKs Jacksonville pension tax

Senate panel clears fantasy sports bill

Tony Dungy speaks at Legislative Prayer Breakfast

State files gambling complaints against racetracks across Florida

New fantasy sports bill would create “Office of Amusement”

Seminole Tribe to air yet another TV ad