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

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

The push to draft Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum to run for governor has picked up two more supporters. Mayor Lauren Poe of Gainesville and Mayor Eric Jones of West Park hopped on the bandwagon Thursday. Gillum, a 37-year-old Democrat, has been the capital’s mayor since 2014. He first was a city commissioner, the youngest person ever […]

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2016

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It’s always a bad sign when a plaintiff doesn’t show up for a hearing in his own lawsuit. Jose N. Vazquez Figueroa was supposed to be in the Leon County Courthouse Wednesday morning to explain why he should win his suit against state Rep. Dan Raulerson. Vazquez, who is representing himself, is seeking to disqualify […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday held his cards close to his vest about the future of a gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen, general counsel Jim Shore and others were in Tallahassee Monday for meetings. Scott, who spoke with reporters after a Florida Cabinet meeting, didn’t get into specifics […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi played coy with the press Tuesday over continued questions about whether she would be joining President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Bondi, an adviser to Trump’s presidential transition team, met with him Friday at Trump Tower in New York. After that meeting, she told the press, “I’m very happy being the Attorney General of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

A new House bill would prohibit sports teams in Florida from building or refurbishing stadiums on public land. State Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican, filed the bill (HB 77) Tuesday. The House website shows it does not yet have a Senate companion. The legislation says “sports franchise(s) may not construct, reconstruct, renovate, or improve […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Sydney Ridley, former right-hand woman to lawmaker Dana Young, is joining Southern Strategy Group‘s Tampa office. The top-tier lobbying firm announced the move Monday. “Sydney represents the future of the lobbying business,” said Seth McKeel, managing partner of SSG’s Tampa Bay office and a former House member. “She’s sharp, respected, energetic, and she’s very excited about […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

For the fourth year in a row, lawmakers will try to tear down the wall that separates tequila from tangelos. Senate President pro tem Anitere Flores on Monday filed a bill (SB 106) to repeal the Prohibition-era state law requiring businesses, such as grocery chains and big-box retailers, to have separate stores to sell liquor. Beer and […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2016

Plaintiffs challenging the state’s environmental funding under a new constitutional amendment agreed to join forces Monday. An array of environmental advocacy groups had filed suit over the Water and Land Legacy Amendment, also known as Amendment 1. The constitutional change, approved by voters in 2014, mandates state spending for land and water conservation. But advocates, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday “commanded” a Broward judge to come to Tallahassee Feb. 7 for a public reprimand. Circuit Judge John Patrick Contini also must write a letter of apology, undergo judicial mentoring, complete a mental health program, and pay administrative costs, according to a court order. He was brought up on judicial misconduct charges last year. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2016

A former officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is suing for his job back, saying he was fired in retaliation for blowing the whistle on wrongdoing. Travis Hooker filed suit last week in Leon County Circuit Civil Court under the state’s whistleblower law. The decorated combat Marine, who was stationed in Iraq, was a lieutenant in the FWC’s […]

Jim Rosica

Andrew Gillum is “real deal” for governor, supporters say

Plaintiff misses hearing in ‘Wite-Out’ case against Dan Raulerson

Rick Scott mum on meeting with Seminole Tribe

Will Pam Bondi stay or will she go now?

Bryan Avila files stadium funding bill

Personnel note: Sydney Ridley joins Southern Strategy Group

It’s “whiskey and Wheaties” all over again

Plaintiffs will combine forces in Amendment 1 lawsuit

Broward judge to be publicly reprimanded Feb. 7

Ex-FWC officer sues for job back under ‘whistleblower’ law