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

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Legislation that would protect one’s “digital assets” after death has cleared its second of three review panels. The Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy unanimously OK’d the bill (SB 494) on Thursday. Under the bill, someone of a person’s choosing could have access to and control their financial accounts, social media and almost anything else the person has online after their […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

One of several bills that would overhaul the state’s oversight body for high school athletics was approved again by a House panel Thursday. The Education Committee OK’d the measure (HB 31) by state Rep. Ross Spano, a Dover Republican, without objection. It had been cleared earlier by the Education Appropriations Subcommittee in December during a committee week. Its main […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office is getting more time to prepare legal arguments in a case over whether certain Florida dog and horse tracks can offer slot machines to guests. The Florida Supreme Court granted the request Wednesday, giving her lawyers another month to turn in their brief. Bondi’s office, specifically Solicitor General Allen Winsor, is representing […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

The Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union, is planning a noon rally in the Capitol courtyard Thursday to show lawmakers their “anger and exasperation” with how the Legislature handles education issues. The group announced the “Enough is Enough!” event in a Wednesday news release. Parents, public school supporters and others “will express their anger […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

Legislation that would allow beer to be sold and consumed on All Aboard Florida train cars and at its stations cleared a Senate panel on Wednesday. The Regulated Industries Committee OK’d the bill (SB 698) without objection. The train provisions were added as an amendment by committee Chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican. He mentioned […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has denied a former judge’s request to reconsider his removal from the bench after he was caught on courtroom video berating and threatening to fight an assistant public defender. The court issued its denial of John C. Murphy‘s motion for rehearing on Wednesday. The request was technical in nature: Murphy had wanted his removal to be for […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The sausage-making began in earnest Wednesday morning, as the Florida Senate teed up nine bills for final approval and passed a sweeping $95 million educational policy bill and a water protection measure desired by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli. The education bill (SB 672) was sponsored by GOP state Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, a former schools superintendent. Among other […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2016

Nearly 200 protesters from South Florida jammed the Capitol’s fourth floor Rotunda as Gov. Rick Scott gave his State of the State address. The group, part of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, came up in buses and many are being hosted by the First Presbyterian Church downtown. Its pastor, the Rev. Brant Copeland, wrote in a recent newsletter […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2016

A House bill that would explicitly legalize fantasy sports play in Florida cleared its first committee on Tuesday. The House Business and Professions Subcommittee OK’d the bill (HB 707) by a 10-3 vote. Florida is among many states struggling with whether to regulate fantasy sports, and if so, how. Current Florida legislation would require fantasy operators to register […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2016

Senate Republican Leader Bill Galvano on Tuesday said he was “surprised” that Gov. Rick Scott made no mention of a new deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that would allow them to keep offering blackjack at their casinos. “It is what it is,” he said. “I think everybody involved in the process around that […]

Jim Rosica

“Digital assets” bill clears another hurdle to Senate floor

High school athletics bill moves in House

Pam Bondi granted more time to prep for slot machine case

Teachers union plans “Enough is Enough!” rally in capital

All Aboard Florida riders could drink beer under new bill

Supreme Court denies rehearing request by former judge

Senate passes education, water bills

Protesters ring Rotunda for Rick Scott’s State of the State speech

Fantasy sports bill clears House committee

State of the State: Bill Galvano “surprised” at no mention of Seminole Compact