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

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2016

Former Senate President Don Gaetz said he respects Will Weatherford’s decision not to run for governor in 2018, but is “disappointed for Florida.” “I spoke with Will about his decision,” said Gaetz, who presided over the Senate in 2012-14 when Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican, was House Speaker. “One of the attributes of Will Weatherford […]

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2016

Mark Asay will remain on the state’s death row, the Florida Supreme Court decided Thursday, likely to become the “first white person executed for the murder of a black person in this state.” Its 80-page opinion also determined that this year’s U.S. Supreme Court opinion, Hurst v. Florida, requiring Florida juries—not judges—”to (determine) the facts necessary to sentence a defendant […]

Jim RosicaDecember 21, 2016

A Tallahassee judge has denied the state’s request to toss out a lawsuit over funding of the state’s court clerks. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ two-page order was dated Dec. 12 but not docketed till Tuesday, records show. “The four corners of the complaint state a cause of action,” she wrote. The Department of Revenue, the Department of Financial Services and the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 21, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott is telling Cuban President Raul Castro to bring “absolute freedom and democracy to Cuba,” in a letter released Wednesday morning. The letter, in English and Spanish, was delivered to Cuban ambassador Jose Ramon Cabanas Rodriguez in Washington. Scott tells Castro, whom he addresses as “Mr. Castro,” that “following the death of your brother Fidel, the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

A federal judge has rejected the state’s request to reconsider his ruling allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to keep blackjack at its casinos. In a two-page order, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said the “original opinion correctly analyzes the issues.” Hinkle had ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and horse tracks to offer […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has paid the state nearly $20 million this month in gambling revenue share, according to public records released Tuesday. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation‘s “licensing and revenue intake system” shows two deposits of $9.75 million were made last Thursday. The agency regulates gambling in the state. That intake system is limited to single deposits of no more than $10 million, DBPR […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

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Lisa Edgar has helped regulate the state’s investor-owned utilities. Now, she’s going to oversee its parks. Edgar was named Director of the Florida Park Service, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced Tuesday in a press release. She’ll start next month. “From my time at DEP and as a frequent visitor of our state parks, I’ve seen first-hand the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is opposing the state’s asking a federal judge to reconsider his decision to let the Tribe keep blackjack at its casinos. The tribe filed a legal memo last week in opposition to the state’s motion. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that regulators working under Gov. Rick Scott allowed dog and […]

Jim RosicaDecember 19, 2016

As expected, Florida’s 29 Republican members of the Electoral College on Monday cast their vote for Donald Trump for president and Mike Pence for vice president. The electors are among Florida’s most loyal Republicans. They were chosen by the state GOP and approved by Gov. Rick Scott. The votes were cast as dozens of protesters […]

Jim RosicaDecember 19, 2016

The winning vendor of a deal to provide dental benefits for the state children’s health insurance program has lost a court fight over what it claims are trade secrets. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers of Tallahassee last week ruled against Managed Care of North America (MCNA Dental). She ordered the company to divulge certain records to Delta Dental. […]

Jim Rosica
Image via the Associated Press.

Don Gaetz is ‘saving his Rolodex’ for Will Weatherford

In Mark Asay case, court says death penalty ruling isn’t retroactive

Judge won’t throw out court clerk funding lawsuit

Rick Scott to Raul Castro: Bring “absolute freedom and democracy to Cuba”

Federal judge won’t change mind on blackjack decision

Seminole Tribe pays state nearly $20M in gambling money

Personnel note: Lisa Edgar named state parks director

Seminole Tribe objects to any about-face on blackjack ruling

Donald Trump wins all votes of Florida’s Electoral College

Dental care vendor loses trade secrets case