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

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2019

In a rebuke to lawmakers and the Rick Scott Administration that was stunning even for Tallahassee Circuit Judge Karen Gievers, she struck down the 2017 state law regulating medical marijuana, saying it conflicted with the state constitution. In the spirit of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, known for his pre-fight rhymes, Gievers opined that in Florida “the medical […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 3, 2019

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced that Chad Poppell, formerly Secretary of the Department of Management Services (DMS) under outgoing Gov. Rick Scott, will be the state’s next children’s welfare chief. Poppell, who has no previous experience in child protection, will take over as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, replacing interim director […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2019

John Guard, the former federal prosecutor who serves as Ashley Moody‘s Transition Executive Director, will become her Chief Deputy Attorney General when Moody is sworn in as the state’s next Attorney General. The move was one of several staff announcements made by her transition team on Wednesday, which saw a mix of new and familiar faces […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2019

Sen. Lauren Book wants people to tell her and other lawmakers “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” The Plantation Democrat filed a bill (SB 58), called the “Truth in Government Act,” for the 2019 Legislative Session that would require people at legislative panels to be sworn in before speaking. The bill […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2018

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State regulators are appealing an administrative law judge’s ruling that could allow retailers to sell hard liquor in their main stores, instead of in separate stores as they do now. The Department of Business Professional Regulation (DBPR), which oversees booze sales through its Division of Alcoholic Beverages And Tobacco (ABT), on Friday filed a notice of appeal to […]

Jim RosicaDecember 19, 2018

Karen Gievers, a Tallahassee-based circuit judge whose rulings often thwarted Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP-controlled Legislature, has resigned. Her letter, dated Wednesday, was sent to Gov. Scott on the same day. Her resignation itself, however, isn’t effective until April 27, 2019, her 70th birthday. That’s when she must step down because of a previously mandatory […]

Jim RosicaDecember 17, 2018

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Governor-elect Ron DeSantis announced Monday he will recommend Jim Zingale as the next head of the state’s Department of Revenue (DOR), “build(ing) on the DeSantis-Nuñez Administration’s promise of bipartisanship.” “I am pleased to recommend (him) … and am certain the Cabinet will share my confidence in Jim,” DeSantis said in a statement. If chosen for […]

Jim RosicaDecember 12, 2018

A healthy but also fragile economy led the Senate’s budget chief to tell fellow lawmakers they need to be “very, very conservative” in writing the state’s next yearly budget. Indeed, with chief legislative economist Amy Baker saying the state needs roughly $6 billion in new money over the next three years just to keep up, Sen. Rob […]

Jim RosicaDecember 11, 2018

New and returning lawmakers had their mandatory ethics training on Tuesday, covering everything from the obvious — don’t take a bribe — to the nuanced — if you’re given a bottle of water, pay for it. House General Counsel Adam Tanenbaum presented to his members in the morning, while Senate General Counsel Jeremiah Hawkes gave […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2018

State Board Of Education Chair Marva Johnson and University Of Florida Board of Trustees member Mori Hosseini have agreed to co-chair Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis‘ Transition Advisory Committee on Education and Workforce Development, the transition team announced Thursday. The committee “is comprised of a diverse group of education experts, including traditional K-12 public school system leaders, […]

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State’s mellow gets harshed: Medical marijuana law again found unconstitutional

Ron DeSantis appoints Chad Poppell as DCF Secretary

Ashley Moody makes senior staff appointments to Attorney General’s office

Lauren Book proposes ‘swearing in’ legislative speakers

State appealing ‘liquor wall’ decision

Circuit Judge Karen Gievers announces she’s leaving bench

Ron DeSantis wants Jim Zingale for Dep’t of Revenue director

Rob Bradley says next budget needs to be ‘very, very conservative’

‘You can’t strike fear‘: Lawmakers gets ethics tips

Marva Johnson, Mori Hosseini join Ron DeSantis transition