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

Jim RosicaJune 3, 2016

The Bryant Miller Olive law firm lost its appeal of a $50 fine for late-filing one of its lobbying compensation reports. The Florida Commission on Ethics made its decision to enforce the penalty at a Friday meeting. Commissioners, though, were split on whether to waive the fine. Some wondered why the firm was fighting a […]

Jim RosicaJune 3, 2016

The Florida Commission on Ethics has waived an $800 fine against former lobbyist Ben Parks. Commissioners made the decision at their meeting Friday. Parks had been automatically fined $50 a day for late-filing his third-quarter lobbying compensation reports last year, according to a proposed order. State law provides for a one-time fine waiver for a late report, […]

Jim RosicaJune 2, 2016

A state appeals court has upheld the retroactive use of a contentious evidence standard approved by lawmakers in 2013. The 4th District Court of Appeal this week affirmed a trial court ruling against plaintiff Simona Bunin. She’s one of the inventors behind a line of spray-bottle flavored olive oils. Bunin, based in South Florida, also holds a patent […]

Jim RosicaJune 2, 2016

A former in-house lobbyist for Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll is leaving state government for the private sector. Timothy “Tim” Parson will be director of government relations for Tallahassee’s Liberty Partners, headed by powerhouse lobbyist Jennifer J. Green. Parson, who’s been legislative affairs director at the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), […]

Jim RosicaJune 2, 2016

Kristen McDonald, who’s been communications director for the Florida House Republicans, is heading to Hill+Knowlton Strategies‘ Tallahassee office. The move was announced Wednesday. She joins another House staffer now there: H+K vice president Ryan Duffy, who was chief spokesman for former House Speaker Will Weatherford in 2012-14. McDonald was communications director for the Office of the Majority […]

Jim RosicaJune 2, 2016

M. Kemmerly Thomas, a Tallahassee attorney in private practice, will be the next judge on the 1st District Court of Appeal. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Wednesday. The 49-year-old Thomas beat out five others for the opening, caused by the resignation of Judge Ronald V. Swanson. Finalists for the spot included Matthew Carson, general counsel to the Florida House […]

Jim RosicaJune 1, 2016

Advocacy groups suing the Legislature over environmental funding now are asking a judge to hand them the win. Florida Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and others filed a 57-page motion for summary judgment Wednesday. Granting such motions allows parties to win a case without a trial. They filed suit last year over Amendment 1, the constitutional amendment approved […]

Jim RosicaJune 1, 2016

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Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam may have fired the first shot in 2018’s race for Florida governor. Putnam on Tuesday released a video on Facebook from his political committee’s “Friends of Florida Agriculture Barbecue” in April at Peace River Valley Ranch in Zolfo Springs. The event included remarks by and a Q-and-A session with Republican U.S. Senate candidates Ron DeSantis, Carlos Lopez–Cantera and Todd Wilcox. […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

The Florida Senate’s underground parking garage has been closed “in an abundance of caution” while work is underway to reinforce the structure, a state spokeswoman said Tuesday. The garage was closed Friday until further notice, said Maggie Mickler, spokeswoman for the Department of Management Services (DMS), which oversees the Capitol. She stressed that at no time […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

Wednesday marks the beginning of “the official digital launch of the summer education campaign” of a proposed constitutional amendment on solar power. Florida for Solar, Inc., championed by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, and Floridians 4 Lower Energy Costs are joining forces to get “Amendment 4” passed on the Aug. 30 primary ballot. “Both organizations will be working together […]

Jim Rosica
Image via AP.

Bryant Miller Olive appeals $50 fine — and loses

Ethics panel waives fine against Ben Parks

Appellate court approves of controversial evidence standard

Personnel note: Tim Parson to Liberty Partners

Personnel note: Kristen McDonald headed to H+K

M. Kemmerly Thomas named new 1st DCA judge

Plaintiffs seek summary judgment in Amendment 1 suit

Did Adam Putnam just launch the first ad of the 2018 gubernatorial campaign?

Florida Senate garage closed amid structural concerns

PR campaign to launch for solar amendment