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

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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An effort to establish a Florida specialty license plate for Auburn University is barreling toward reality. On Tuesday, a website set up to promote the drive showed 2,480 people had pledged to buy the tag if approved. New plates need 4,000 “pre-sales” before they can be produced. The plate is backed by two Auburn grads: Democratic PR […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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Florida’s college faculty union is taking a jab at Gov. Rick Scott’s “Degrees to Jobs” Summit. The United Faculty of Florida wasn’t invited to the event, which takes place Wednesday and Thursday in Orlando. It issued a statement on Tuesday. The mission of the summit is to “bring together Florida business leaders and education officials […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

Staff at the Florida Commission on Ethics is recommending waiving an $800 fine against former lobbyist Ben Parks. That proposal will be before commissioners at their meeting next 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 […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

The former head of the national Republican Party has plugged Newt Gingrich as one possible vice presidential pick for likely GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. “I think of it as six words: Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich,” Haley Barbour said on Tuesday’s “Morning Joe” program on MSNBC. Barbour, a lobbyist, served as chair of […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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A former state Senator has signed on to represent the backers of a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling. Florida Supreme Court records show Miami attorney Dan Gelber filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Voters In Charge, the committee behind the amendment. Gelber, 55, also was Democratic leader when he served in the House and unsuccessfully […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott made two judicial appointments in South Florida on Monday. Jose A. Izquierdo, a criminal defense lawyer, was named to a circuit judgeship in the 17th Judicial Circuit serving Broward County. Izquierdo, 40, of Miramar, most recently practiced on his own and with Izquierdo & Marin, according to a governor’s office news release. He previously […]

Jim RosicaMay 23, 2016

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State Rep. Richard Corcoran announced Monday he had qualified to run for his House District 37 seat. Corcoran, slated to be Speaker when the next Legislature convenes, said in an email he had gathered and turned in “more than the 1,113 petitions necessary.” On Monday, the Division of Elections’ website showed Corcoran had the required 1,113 verified signatures […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

It’s not clear whether a proposed gambling-control amendment will help or hinder the state’s finances. A panel of state economists stalemated this week on the financial impact of the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference’s final report was hand-delivered to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Thursday. A summary reads: “The […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed a former Leon County Clerk of Courts employee to a state retirement advisory panel. His office announced the pick Wednesday. Tom Napier, 81, of Tallahassee, worked for the clerk’s office as a special coordinator until his retirement in 2000. Napier said he will join the Florida Retirement System’s career service advisory […]

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2016

An animal research lab has filed suit to prevent the release of public records it says contain “trade secrets.” Primate Products, Inc. first wants a temporary injunction to prevent the state’s Department of Agriculture from releasing those records until the case’s final disposition. The company, with offices in Immokalee and Miami, breeds and sells “nonhuman primates for […]

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Florida’s ‘Auburn tag’ over halfway to required pledges

UFF slams Rick Scott’s Degrees to Jobs Summit

Ethics fine against Ben Parks could be waived

Haley Barbour handicaps Donald Trump’s VP picks

Dan Gelber will represent anti-gambling amendment

Rick Scott names two new judges in Broward

Richard Corcoran qualifies for 2016 ballot via petition

Economists uncertain of gambling amendment’s effect

Personnel note: Tom Napier tapped for retirement board

Animal research lab suing to prevent release of records