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

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2016

The state of Florida is asking a judge to toss out a lawsuit over funding of the state’s court clerks. The Department of Revenue, the Department of Financial Services and the Joint Legislative Budget Commission last month filed a motion to dismiss against Broward County Clerk of Court Howard Forman, according to court dockets. Forman wants a Leon County circuit judge to […]

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed a new circuit judge in central Florida despite a candidate still suing to get the seat filled by election. Scott last week tapped David V. Ward of Sebring for the judgeship. Ward, 47, has been an assistant state attorney since 2001. He will replace Judge Olin W. Shinholser for the […]

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2016

If voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling, will Floridians no longer be able to play Mega Millions? That’s the question being asked by opponents of the citizen initiative behind the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. Specifically, the amendment aims to give voters more control over the expansion of gambling in the state. The amendment is now before […]

Jim RosicaJuly 1, 2016

A request to increase worker’s compensation insurance rates has now gone up to nearly 20 percent, stoking ire from the state’s business lobby. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), an umbrella organization representing insurers, filed the request Friday with state insurance regulators. It blames recent state Supreme Court rulings for the hike. The Florida Chamber […]

Jim RosicaJuly 1, 2016

Florida Grown, the political committee that likely will fuel Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s bid for higher office, posted more than $218,000 in contributions for June. That’s up from about $185,000 in contributions in May. Committees face a deadline for reporting their latest numbers on Friday. Putnam’s committee released its figures early on its own website. The biggest contributor for June is Associated Industries of Florida PAC, […]

Jim RosicaJuly 1, 2016

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A federal judge in Tallahassee has temporarily stopped enforcement of parts of a new state law on abortion. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued a preliminary injunction late Thursday — one day before the new law was to take effect. His order also came the same week the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Texas […]

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2016

The state’s highest court has been pulled into a case over what could be “multiple millions of dollars” owed for old rock ‘n’ roll. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday certified questions of state law to the Florida Supreme Court in a nearly three-year-old class-action suit by original members of The Turtles, a 1960s band. […]

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2016

The Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians is expanding its casino business into Louisiana and Nevada. What’s not clear is what that means for their stalled efforts to open a casino in Florida. The band’s PCI Gaming Authority has struck a deal to buy Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana, near Shreveport. That deal is […]

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2016

The lawyer for a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling in Florida fired back against critics, saying their arguments have “no basis in law.” Dan Gelber, the lawyer for Voters In Charge, the committee behind the amendment, filed an answer brief with the Florida Supreme Court Wednesday. The Voter Control of Gambling amendment would give Floridians more control over […]

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2016

It’s almost Independence Day, which in Florida means: Time to scare some birds. Although you can buy fireworks in the state, they’re not actually legal here. Indeed, The Tampa Tribune in 2014 called fireworks sales in Florida an “institutionalized charade,” leading one lawmaker to call for “more freedom (and) less fraud.” Retail sales are allowed only […]

Jim Rosica
Image via AP.

State wants court clerks’ funding lawsuit dismissed

Rick Scott appoints judge despite lawsuit

Would Mega Millions be off limits under gambling amendment?

Florida Chamber warns of increasing worker’s comp rates

Adam Putnam fundraising committee, Florida Grown, raised $218K in June

Federal judge bars enforcement of new Florida abortion law

Suit over old rock ‘n’ roll heading to Florida Supreme Court

With moves in Louisiana, Nevada, will Poarch give up on Florida?

Gambling amendment lawyer defends initiative

Florida’s bizarre fireworks law still in place