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

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2016

State Sen. Dwight Bullard has been socked with $5,000 in fines over faulty campaign finance reports. The Florida Elections Commission meted out the punishment at its Wednesday meeting. Bullard did not attend. Bullard, a Cutler Bay Democrat, had been charged with failing to fix several incomplete reports — even after being told how to do so, staff told commissioners. […]

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2016

The Florida Department of Citrus could get a pared-down budget that will result in staff cuts. The Citrus Commission, which oversees the department, meets Wednesday to consider the $20.6 million spending plan. If approved, the department’s full-time employees would be reduced to 23 from 39. Commissioners won’t vote on that budget, but will offer “feedback,” department spokeswoman Shelley Rossetter said. The […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2016

Jeff Greene‘s lawyer is berating the Tampa Bay Times over a story on its settlement of Greene’s libel suit against the newspaper. Greene, a Palm Beach billionaire, also is “demand(ing) that the Tampa Bay Times now disclose the amount publicly.” He sued the Times and the Miami Herald in 2010 but settled confidentially with both papers in […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2016

A company that manages dental benefits for the state children’s health insurance program is fighting the release of records it says contain “trade secrets.” Managed Care of North America (MCNA) sued the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. after it caught wind of a Tallahassee lawyer’s public records request. The company wants a Leon County circuit judge to declare […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2016

Life insurers are now suing over a new law requiring them to track down insurance beneficiaries. Four companies filed in Leon County Circuit Civil court earlier this month. The measure (SB 966) was a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and was featured on CBS’ “60 Minutes.” His spokeswoman responded to the suit Tuesday, calling it […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2016

Broward County’s clerk of court is suing the state over the way it funds Florida’s clerks. Howard Forman is asking a Leon County circuit judge to declare “funding of the offices of the clerks of the circuit and county courts performing court-related functions” as unconstitutional, says his lawsuit filed this month. His complaint is against the state’s Department of Revenue, the […]

Jim RosicaMay 16, 2016

Former Tampa Tribune staffers are hoping what the internet takes away, it can also give back. Several reporters, editors, designers and others have banded together to find work through social media using the hashtag, #HireATribber. Elaine Silvestrini, the former Tribune courts reporter who came up with the idea, has become the group’s unofficial leader and cheerleader in chief. […]

Jim RosicaMay 16, 2016

Registered legislative lobbyists reported total median earnings of $36.4 million for the first three months of this year. The first-quarter results were posted by LobbyTools Legislative IQ on Monday. Once again, the top five earners come as no surprise: Ballard Partners, $2.4 million; Southern Strategy Group, $2.3 million; Ron Book, $2 million; Capital City Consulting, $1.5 […]

Jim RosicaMay 13, 2016

Sometimes, respecting the rules of the game means you have to lose. That was the message delivered Friday at an ethics forum for judicial candidates held in Tallahassee. Similar events were held around the state this week. Current and retired judges and others briefed several area contenders for judgeships on Florida’s Code of Judicial Conduct, which also […]

Jim RosicaMay 12, 2016

Frontier Communications’ top executive for Florida operations says the company “apologize(s) to every Tampa Bay area customer who has experienced service disruptions.” Melanie Williams, senior vice-president and general manager for operations in Florida, released a statement Thursday. That’s the same day Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was “cautiously optimistic that Frontier disruptions in services will […]

Jim Rosica
Image via AP.

Dwight Bullard fined $5K for campaign violations

Citrus Department facing smaller budget, staff cuts

Jeff Greene’s lawyer calls out Tampa Bay Times

Dental care vendor suing Healthy Kids over public records

Insurers sue Jeff Atwater over death-benefits bill

Broward court clerk suing state over funding

Got a job? #HireATribber

State lobbyists earned more than $36 million during Q1 to lobby Legislature

Judicial candidates schooled on campaign ethics

Frontier apologizes to Tampa Bay for spotty service