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

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

Reversing a state court ruling, a federal judge in Tallahassee on Friday threw out a lawsuit by The Miami Herald seeking records related to a deadly bridge collapse at Florida International University. In a 47-page ruling, Senior U.S. District Judge William Stafford dismissed the case “with prejudice,” meaning the newspaper can’t re-file it. The federal government […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

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Jeremiah Hawkes, formerly a top official under Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, is now general counsel of the Florida Senate, its spokeswoman said Friday. Hawkes, who started Monday, will be paid $135,000 a year. He replaces Dawn Roberts, who served as the Senate’s top lawyer under outgoing Senate President Joe Negron. Roberts is returning to her […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

State Sen. Lauren Book, a child sexual abuse survivor, said she supports Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s investigation into possible abuse committed by Catholic priests in Florida. Bondi “has sent a clear message to any person using their position of power to exploit and manipulate children: Your actions are not tolerated, and you will not get […]

Jim RosicaOctober 4, 2018

Saying it will “make it impossible to bring sports betting to Florida,” FanDuel is telling Florida voters to vote down a proposed ‘voter control of gambling’ constitutional amendment. The amendment’s main backer, however, says the national fantasy sports website has got it all wrong. It won’t be impossible, he said: It’ll just require a vote. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2018

The state’s top gambling regulator, using the greyhound industry’s own concern against it, has nixed an “emergency” request to allow tours of greyhound kennels at race tracks. Robert Ehrhardt, director of the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering, on Wednesday released a letter (reprinted below) that he sent to Florida Greyhound Association lobbyist and spokesman Jack Cory. Ehrhardt’s division oversees dog […]

Jim RosicaOctober 1, 2018

An administrative law judge on Monday largely gutted the state’s proposed rule governing the drug testing of racing greyhounds. In a 44-page “final order,” Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early struck down specific provisions of the state regulation on how greyhounds are chosen for testing on race days, and how samples are stored and at […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2018

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill on Friday announced on Facebook that she “recently experienced an aggressive recurrence” of cancer and has decided to enter hospice. “I received treatment for cancer in 2016,” the Port Orange Republican wrote. “Thanks to the well wishes and prayers from so many of you, and the excellent care from my medical team, the […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2018

Former state Sen. Garrett Richter and retired State Attorney Willie Meggs were named to the state’s Commission on Ethics, the Governor’s Office announced Thursday night. Richter, 68, is President and Chief Executive Officer of First Florida Integrity Bank. The Naples Republican served two terms in the state Senate, 2008-16, rising to President pro tempore under […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2018

Target and Walmart are heading to court to get an administrative law judge to give them what Gov. Rick Scott wouldn’t: The ability to sell whiskey and Wheaties in the same store. The big-box retailers late Monday filed an administrative challenge against the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages And Tobacco (ABT). At issue: The state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule,” which restricts […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 24, 2018

Doctors and physician assistants could start facing fines and license revocations for not checking a state prescription drug database before they write a script. The state’s Board of Medicine last week also announced a related rule “to change penalties for prescribing medicinal drugs or controlled substances (that) demonstrates a lack of reasonable skill or safety to […]

Jim Rosica
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Judge tosses Miami Herald suit over FIU bridge records

Personnel note: Jeremiah Hawkes now state Senate’s top lawyer

Lauren Book backs Pam Bondi’s investigation of sexual abuse by Catholic priests

‘Vote no’: FanDuel comes out in opposition to gambling amendment

‘No, dog. No!’ State rejects request for greyhound kennel tours

Judge’s ruling eviscerates state’s greyhound drug-testing system

Dorothy Hukill says cancer has returned, entering hospice

Garrett Richter, Willie Meggs named to Ethics Commission

Target, Walmart file rule challenge for ‘whiskey and Wheaties’

Medical regulators propose penalties for not checking drug database