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

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2016

The right way to put the new constitutional amendment on medical marijuana into effect is to “treat (it) like medicine,” supporters said Tuesday. The Senate Health Policy committee held its first workshop for the 2017 Legislative Session on medical cannabis implementation. “The states that have done it poorly, with a lack of regulation, allowed folks to market […]

Jim RosicaDecember 12, 2016

The state House of Representatives Monday released its full 2016-18 committee and subcommittee assignments and chairs. “I am proud of the way the new process was handled by all involved – applicants and chairs alike,” Speaker Richard Corcoran said in a statement. “All who participated have my respect and will be called upon to use […]

Jim RosicaDecember 12, 2016

A lawsuit against Florida A&M University by a Belize native who claims she was wrongly fired is headed to court-ordered mediation. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker last Friday ordered a mediation report by July 27, and tentatively set a jury trial to begin Oct. 16 if the parties can’t resolve the case. Glenda McDougall‘s lawsuit, filed in […]

Jim RosicaDecember 12, 2016

Jose N. Vazquez Figueroa blames “mental fatigue” for his missing a hearing in his own lawsuit challenging state Rep. Dan Raulerson‘s re-election this year. Vazquez may have even more on his mind: The Florida Elections Commission now is suing him for unpaid fines levied for campaign finance reporting irregularities from his unsuccessful 2014 campaign. “Something’s wrong in Tallahassee,” […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

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Palm Beach Post capital reporter John Kennedy says he’s no longer working for the paper as the newspaper has shuttered its Tallahassee bureau. Kennedy, a Capitol Press Corps veteran who nonetheless kept an impressive head of hair, announced the news Friday on Facebook—15 days before Christmas. “The paper’s future is local and digital, and coverage […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

Circuit Judge Mark Hulsey III of Jacksonville now faces a second amended complaint of judicial misconduct, according to a Friday filing. The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which investigates misconduct accusations against judges, leveled a new charge, this one related to Hulsey’s re-election campaign. He won re-election in August against Jacksonville lawyer Gerald Wilkerson after a recount. “(Y)ou directed your Judicial Assistant to overnight personal packages […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

Florida’s production of orange crop will hold steady at 72 million boxes for the 2016-17 season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday. The “all orange” forecast, equal to 3.24 million tons, is “unchanged from last month but down 12 percent from last season’s final utilization,” the department’s latest forecast says. Moreover, the Florida frozen concentrated orange juice […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

With establishment lobbyists now representing it, the medical marijuana cause appears to have become—grab your pearls—respectable. Florida for Care, the nonprofit organization that is advocating for “well-regulated” medicinal pot in the state, has hired Brecht Heuchan and The Mayernick Group to advocate for its interests. Heuchan, who says he voted against the medical marijuana constitutional amendment this November, has […]

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

A Seminole Tribe of Florida spokesman Thursday declined comment on whether the tribe would stop payment to the state from its blackjack revenue. A source close to the tribe told FloridaPolitics.com on Wednesday that it’s considering not paying “one more dollar” to the state treasury without a new gambling agreement. According to a federal judge, it […]

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

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The state has OK’d a politically charged “Festivus” pole for display in the Capitol this holiday season. The Department of Management Services, which oversees state property, cleared the pole to have a place in the plaza-level rotunda, spokeswoman Maggie Mickler said Thursday. The all black, six-foot-tall pole “will contain the names of all unarmed black men killed by police in […]

Jim Rosica

Treat medical marijuana “like medicine,” advocates say

Florida House announces more leadership roles

FAMU ‘thick accent’ case referred to mediation

Jose Vazquez says “mental fatigue” caused missed hearing

Palm Beach Post closes capital bureau, lets John Kennedy go

Mark Hulsey faces another judicial misconduct complaint

USDA says Florida orange crop projected to hold steady

Implementation of medical marijuana amendment brings together unlikely allies

Seminoles still paying state blackjack money—for now

Approved: Black “Festivus” pole will be placed in Capitol