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

Jim RosicaSeptember 19, 2016

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement plans to ask legislators next year for new laws “to criminalize certain terrorism-related activities at the state level.” They include statutes banning “active membership in a foreign terrorist organization” and “creat(ing) penalties for agroterrorism.” A summary of the agency’s 2017 “legislative proposal” was included in agenda material for Tuesday’s meeting […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 19, 2016

It’s that time of year when state agencies start asking what they want lawmakers to pony up. Agencies that report to Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet – Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – will formally turn in their legislative budget requests Tuesday at the […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 19, 2016

The Florida Department of Revenue now wants to eliminate what one critic called a “hilariously absurd regulation”: The state’s vending machine sticker requirement. The department included the recommendation in its yearly list of suggestions for new laws. The list will go before Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet at their next meeting. State law requires each machine […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2016

After Hurricane Hermine hit the Big Bend, the City of Tallahassee and Leon County will hold a series of community meetings to gather feedback on storm preparedness and recovery. The meetings, which all begin at 6 p.m., will take place: — Monday, Sept. 19 at Bethel AME Church, 501 W. Orange Ave. — Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Woodville Community […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 15, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down part of the state’s election qualifying law as unconstitutional, calling it “irrational,” “unreasonable and unnecessary,” and ordered a candidate for City of Miami Gardens mayor to be allowed back on the ballot. The court’s 6-1 opinion reverses a 3rd District Court of Appeal decision, invalidates the city’s Aug. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2016

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No, the Tampa Bay Times hasn’t dropped its paywall. A couple of FloridaPolitics.com readers on Wednesday mused whether the St. Petersburg-based newspaper, Florida’s largest by circulation, had done so, judging by a “seeming plethora of free content.” But a Times spokeswoman says the paywall has been temporarily loosened but not lifted. As a refresher, a paywall […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2016

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State Rep. Cary Pigman was slammed by the state’s ethics board Wednesday after accusations of an extramarital affair, “obscene gestures” and other intimidation. The Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause to believe that Pigman “link(ed) his efforts to obtain legislative funding for the School District to retaliate or attempt to retaliate against an employee” of the […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2016

Waterproofing in the Capitol’s underground parking garages now will have to removed because it’s “carcinogenic,” a state official said Wednesday. Tom Berger, director of the Real Estate Development and Management Division, spoke in front of a Cabinet aides meeting in the Capitol. The division is part of the Department of Management Services, the state’s real estate […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2016

In the wake of Hurricane Hermine, an unofficial task force led by former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp plans to look into how Florida communities can better bounce back after a big storm. The blue-ribbon panel is an initiative of Citizens for Responsible Spending, led by Tallahassee lobbyist Barney Bishop III, which came about last year to address […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 13, 2016

Secretary Sam Verghese on Tuesday announced his resignation from the state’s Department of Elder Affairs. In an email to staff, Verghese said his resignation will be effective Sept. 23. He is leaving “to explore opportunities in the private sector.” “It has been a wonderful opportunity to serve Florida’s elders in a unique way that I will […]

Jim Rosica
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

FDLE wants added power to combat terrorism

Governor, Florida Cabinet to receive agency budget requests

Dep’t of Revenue: Get rid of vending machine stickers

Tallahassee/Leon County to hold Hurricane Hermine community meetings

Supreme Court strikes down section of state’s qualifying law

Tampa Bay Times tweaks paywall temporarily

Ethics panel finds probable cause that Cary Pigman “misused his position”

Capitol parking garage waterproofing is ‘carcinogenic’

Private task force to look into improving hurricane response

Sam Verghese out at Department of Elder Affairs