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

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

The Senate’s gambling legislation for 2017 will be filed Thursday, according to state Sen. Bill Galvano. Bet on a lot of talk about it: The Regulated Industries Committee has set aside four hours to discuss it at its next meeting. A tentative schedule posted Wednesday on the Senate’s website shows its Jan. 25 meeting beginning at 2 p.m. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2017

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A Tallahassee judge has tossed out a lawsuit over the use of “Wite Out” on state Rep. Dan Raulerson‘s re-election filing paperwork. In an order issued Wednesday, Circuit Judge Charles W. Dodson dismissed the case brought by Jose N. Vazquez Figueroa, the Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Raulerson last year for the House District 58 seat. Dodson ruled he did not have jurisdiction to decide the matter […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2017

Online car services such as Uber and Lyft got a preliminary win in Florida after favorable legislation was filed Wednesday in the Legislature. The bills (SB 340 and HB 221), which would apply to ridebooking companies like Uber and Lyft, combine parts of previous measures that have been introduced but not passed over the last few years. Still, “transportation […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2017

When you try to manage a multi-billion-dollar state budget with three-decade-old software, problems are bound to happen. An audit has found security flaws in the Department of Financial Services‘ antiquated FLAIR accounting system, according to a report released Friday. (FLAIR stands for “Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem.”) The department is run by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

Sis-boom-bah: state Sen. Greg Steube has filed legislation to legalize consumer fireworks in Florida. Steube, the Sarasota Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, filed his bill (SB 324) Tuesday. The legislation appears to be identical to a bill (HB 4005) filed for the 2014 Legislative Session by then-state Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

Conservative blogger Ed Whelan isn’t giving up his position that retired Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry continuing to work on pending cases “appears to be in plain violation of Florida law.” Whelan wrote on National Review Online last week that Perry was wrongly “displac(ing)” Justice C. Alan Lawson, the newest conservative jurist on the state’s high court. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

A Senate spokeswoman on Tuesday said the chamber’s legislative package on gambling should be ready for hearing later this month. A meeting of the Regulated Industries Committee, which oversees gambling policy, had been set for this Thursday but was cancelled. “Based on conservations with Sen. (Bill) Galvano, President (Joe) Negron anticipates having a bill ready to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

Democratic lawmakers and representatives of progressive organizations Tuesday stood in support of a gun safety bill (SB 254). Whether it gets heard this year is an open question. Among other things, it would outlaw the sale, transfer or possession “of an assault weapon or large-capacity magazine” in Florida. As of Tuesday afternoon, the measure – […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

A Tallahassee judge now will decide whether a lawsuit challenging state Rep. Dan Raulerson‘s re-election over the use of “Wite Out” will go forward. “I’m going to review this and get an order out,” Circuit Judge Charles W. Dodson said Tuesday, after a half-hour hearing. “Good luck.” Raulerson’s attorney had moved to toss out the case, saying it was moot with […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2017

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The Above The Law legal website is “handicapping Donald Trump’s Supreme Court shortlist” – and Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady isn’t on it. “In case you missed it over the holidays, Jan Crawford of CBS News, one of the most plugged-in Supreme Court reporters around, revealed Trump’s five finalists” to replace the late Antonin […]

Jim Rosica
Family members appear behind a pile of debris outside their home in Steinhatchee, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 storm Thursday night. (Ashleigh Lucas/WUFT News)

Senate to set marathon 4-hour hearing on gambling bill

Case dismissed: Dan Raulerson to remain in House

Legislation covering Uber, Lyft filed for 2017

Audit uncovers flaws in state’s accounting system

Greg Steube files fireworks legalization bill

Blogger still irate over Justice James E.C. Perry’s continued presence at Supreme Court

Senate readies this year’s gambling bill

Progressive coalition supports Linda Stewart’s assault weapon ban

Dan Raulerson qualifying challenge now in judge’s hands

Charles Canady may be off Donald Trump’s Supreme Court wish list