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

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2018

Progressive groups now are suing to stop a state nominating panel from recommending candidates to the Florida Supreme Court, saying it “lacks the authority to make its nominations before the vacancies occur.” The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed Friday evening to halt the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Earlier Friday, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2018

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It’s big news in Florida’s gambling world: The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course has gotten the OK from state gambling regulators to get out of the horse racing business. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering granted its petition for a declaratory statement on Thursday, records show. “Calder may operate […]

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2018

Orlando attorney, entrepreneur and marijuana advocate John Morgan gave his full-throated endorsement to Democrat Nikki Fried in the race for Agriculture Commissioner. Morgan, a self-made multi-millionaire known for his personal injury law firm’s ubiquitous advertisements, announced his support in a Thursday tweet. He admitted that the office of Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2018

The state’s Supreme Court ruled Monday that outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott cannot appoint replacements for the court’s three upcoming vacancies. “The governor who is elected in the November 2018 general election (most likely Democrat Andrew Gillum or Republican Ron DeSantis) has the sole authority to fill the vacancies that will be created by the mandatory […]

Jim RosicaOctober 12, 2018

A review panel announced Friday it had decided to interview all 59 applicants for three upcoming Florida Supreme Court vacancies. The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) will meet Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 in Miami, and again Nov. 8 and Nov. 9 in Tampa. “This schedule will position the Florida Supreme Court JNC to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2018

Hurricane Michael, now a category 2 storm, is going to be “devastating” for north Florida, Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. “It’s going to be historic,” he said at an 8 a.m. press briefing, mentioning that the first effects will begin in about 12 hours. The “massive storm … […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2018

Despite a looming legal challenge, nearly 60 people have applied for three upcoming vacancies on the Florida Supreme Court, including Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s former chief of staff. Carlos Muniz, now the general counsel to the U.S. Department of Education, was on a list of names provided to Florida Politics by Gov. Rick Scott‘s office […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2018

A new poll shows “a narrow lead” for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum over his Republican counterpart, Ron DeSantis. But the poll, by the Florida Southern College Center for Polling and Policy Research, has a roughly 4½-point margin of error, and Gillum’s lead is just over 3 points. Gillum received just over 47 percent support, compared […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2018

The Department of Management Services (DMS) will enter into final negotiations with Motorola Solutions to take over the state’s law enforcement communications network, the company announced Monday. DMS Secretary Erin Rock issued a final order, accepting a recommendation by Administrative Law Judge J. Bruce Culpepper to dismiss a protest by Harris Corp., which previously had the contract. The order was not posted Monday morning; […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

Mike Carroll, who stepped down last month as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, has been named to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. Gov. Rick Scott‘s office announced the appointment on Friday. Carroll, 57, now is Executive Vice President of Lutheran Services of Florida. Carroll is actually returning to the panel; he […]

Jim Rosica
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Order in the (Supreme) Court: Suit aims to short-circuit nominating process

Scratched: State says track can stop racing horses, keep slots

John Morgan endorses Nikki Fried for Agriculture Commissioner

Supreme Court rules Rick Scott can’t name 3 new justices

Interviews scheduled for state Supreme Court vacancies

Rick Scott on Hurricane Michael: ‘Devastating storm…going to be historic’

Florida Supreme Court openings get dozens of applications

Florida Southern College poll: ‘Narrow lead’ for Andrew Gillum

A half-billion dollar payday: Motorola wins final OK for state radio contract

Former DCF Secretary Mike Carroll appointed to state public safety panel