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

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has objected to a request by a North Florida race track to alter a federal judge’s ruling allowing the tribe to keep blackjack at its casinos. Greenberg Traurig attorney Barry Richard, who represents the Tribe, filed his memorandum in opposition to Gretna Racing’s motion to intervene last week, court records show. Its attorneys, David Romanik and […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

As lawmakers get ready to consider relaxing the state’s booze regulations, craft distillers have started to lobby up for the 2017 Legislative Session. According to lobbying registration records reviewed Monday, some craft liquor makers have hired or re-hired representation for the upcoming session: Ron Book and Kelly Mallette, for Florida Distillers of Lake Alfred. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2017

Ballard Partners will continue its representation of daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies into 2017, according to lobbying registration records reviewed Monday. Brian Ballard and the lobbyists who work for him, including former state Rep. Chris Dorworth, have begun registering their representation for the 2017 Legislative Session, some effective as early as this week. Chief among those interests are DraftKings and FanDuel, the DFS giants who announced […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2016

With the Florida Supreme Court‘s opinion releases on winter break till Jan. 12, several high-profile cases will remain unresolved in 2016. Here are a few, starting with the court’s official case summary: — Debaun v. State of Florida: “This case asks whether laws governing sexually transmissible diseases apply only when the parties involved are a man and […]

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2016

Enterprise Florida (EFI) would have to hire outside auditors “to verify compliance” of businesses getting incentive money under legislation filed Tuesday. New state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade Democrat, filed the bill (SB 216) on the state’s public-private economic development organization. The legislation, which does not yet have a House companion, would require the organization to then […]

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2016

Longtime media attorney Alison Steele is leaving the St. Petersburg law firm she has helped build for the last quarter-century and starting her own solo practice. Steele, a name partner in the firm of Rahdert, Steele, Reynolds & Driscoll, Friday said she was sending announcements out over the past weekend. She will continue to focus on media and employment law […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

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An all-black “Festivus” pole will not be appearing in the Capitol rotunda this holiday season, according to a Department of Management Services spokeswoman. Maggie Mickler said Friday that South Florida-based activist Chaz Stevens emailed the department Thursday evening. He said “he will not be traveling to Tallahassee” to install the display. The department oversees state property and approves proposed holiday displays in the Capitol. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

Steve Auger, executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corp., has resigned. Barney Smith, president of The Smith & Young Company and chair of the agency, confirmed Auger’s resignation Friday. He otherwise declined comment when reached by phone. Auger sent a resignation letter to Smith and Department of Economic Opportunity director Cissy Proctor Thursday, saying he would exit the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

The state’s leading death penalty opposition group is calling for more than 200 Florida death row inmates to have their sentences reduced to life imprisonment. Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) says a Florida Supreme Court decision on convicted killer Mark Asay out Thursday means that many are “entitled to be resentenced.” The court […]

Jim Rosica
Image via the Associated Press.

Seminole Tribe objects to Gretna track’s intervention in gambling dispute

Craft distilleries hire lobbyists for upcoming session

Ballard Partners will continue repping daily fantasy sports sites

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016

High-profile Supreme Court cases still hanging fire at year’s end

Jose Javier Rodriguez files Enterprise Florida reform legislation

Media lawyer Alison Steele leaving Rahdert, going solo

No joy: Festivus pole will be absent from Capitol this year

Steve Auger quits Florida Housing Finance Corp.

After Asay decision, anti-death penalty advocates call for commutations