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

Jim RosicaSeptember 5, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced two judicial appointments in the Tampa Bay area late Friday. He elevated Kim Hernandez Vance from a Hillsborough County judge to the 13th Judicial Circuit bench. Vance, 54, of Tampa, had been a county judge since last year. “Judge Vance has demonstrated, throughout her career, a commitment to serving Florida families,” Scott said in a statement. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced three judicial appointments late Friday. He elevated Kim Hernandez Vance from a Hillsborough County judge to the 13th Judicial Circuit bench. Vance, 54, of Tampa, had been a county judge since last year. “Judge Vance has demonstrated, throughout her career, a commitment to serving Florida families,” Scott said in a statement. “I am confident she […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater on Friday said the pending nuclear deal with Iran was a “direct assault” on the state’s own position not to support “sponsors of terror.” The deal, worked out between Iran and a group of world powers including the United States, will limit Iran’s ability to use nuclear technology in return […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

When at the pump, try to avoid getting scammed by a “skimmer,” Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says. Putnam, whose office regulates the state’s gasoline pumps, warned drivers planning to hit the road over Labor Day weekend to be wary of tampered card readers. “Skimmers are devices that illegally capture consumers’ credit or debit card information,” a […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Lock down your Ford trucks, Florida: The full-size pickup is the state’s most stolen vehicle, according to a new survey by an insurance-related research group. The 2006 Ford pickup leads the number of stolen vehicles in Florida, with 2,091 reported stolen in 2014, says the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit anti-fraud organization backed by the insurance […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Friday said it will have the last word on redrawing the state’s congressional district map. In a nine-page order, the court told Circuit Judge Terry Lewis to hear from all sides and “then make a recommendation to (this) Court … as to which map proposed by the parties – or which portions of each map – best fulfills the specific directions […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

A Broward County lawmaker wants his colleagues to reconsider the contentious issue of police body-worn cameras after similar legislation failed last session. State Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat, filed his bill (HB 93) on Friday. His version that was proposed last session died. “Problems don’t disappear just because legislation doesn’t pass,” Jones said in a […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

An Indian tribe seeking to expand its gambling operation into Florida has won a key legal victory to keep open its Alabama casinos. On Thursday, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in a challenge by the state of Alabama to shut down its three casinos, saying they are a “public […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday said he won’t break his pledge not to run as an independent if he loses the GOP nomination. Trump was back on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program via telephone. He last appeared Aug. 28. He also called the Iran nuclear deal “disastrous” and said “possibly yes” to taking people […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Jorge Labarga, chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, on Friday said he has been diagnosed with cancer and is set to have a kidney removed later this month at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. “Doctors tell me that my prognosis is very good after surgery because the cancer was detected early by blood tests during a […]

Jim Rosica
President George W. Bush painting.

Rick Scott names two new judges for Tampa Bay area

Rick Scott announces 3 judicial picks

Jeff Atwater slams Iran nuclear deal

Email insights: Watch out for “gas pump skimmers” this Labor Day Weekend Adam Putnam warns

‘Hot wheels’: Florida’s most stolen vehicles

Fla. Supreme Court says it will have final word on redistricting

Police body-camera bill introduced for next session

Poarch Indians win gambling case, seek to expand to Florida

Donald Trump says he won’t run as independent

State’s chief justice has cancer, will undergo surgery