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

Jim RosicaDecember 28, 2015

Marshall Stranburg, executive director of the state’s Department of Revenue, told his employees on Monday that he’s quitting the post to take a position in Washington. The news was revealed in an interoffice email provided to FloridaPolitics.com. Revenue Department spokeswoman Renee Watters confirmed the email later Monday morning. Stranburg has been one of three agency heads in Gov. Rick Scott‘s cross […]

Jim RosicaDecember 28, 2015

An appellate court has reversed a contempt finding against a lawyer whom a judge had asked to take a breath analyzer test and then shamed in open court because others said she “smelled like alcohol.” One of the 1st District Court of Appeal judges even wrote a 10-page concurring opinion in which he compared the judge’s […]

Jim RosicaDecember 28, 2015

A group of whistleblowing investigators in the beleaguered Department of Corrections has lost an appeal to their challenge of being forced to sign “hush” agreements over wrongdoing they say they uncovered. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday sided with a lower-court judge who had dismissed the investigators’ complaint. David Clark, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 28, 2015

FloridaPolitics.com and Context Florida contributor Florence Snyder adds a “funny Jeb” anecdote in light of The New York Times story on Bush’s dry sense of humor. “As his campaign has struggled to rejuvenate a languishing bid, some close to him have suggested the existence of a (very) secret weapon: It is at least possible that […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

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Florida’s election supervisors are asking the courts to resolve the state Senate redistricting saga by March 15 to protect the “quality and integrity of the (voting) process.” The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections filed its notice Wednesday with Circuit Judge George Reynolds, who is in the process of deciding how to redraw the state’s 40 […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

The number of people going to prison in Florida in the latter half of this year has fallen below earlier projections, according to a report by a panel of state forecasters. But the prison population still will increase slightly in the long term. The Criminal Justice Estimating Conference this month said prison admissions were 12,941 for July-November, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

As far as state workers are concerned, if Florida Gov. Rick Scott is Santa, then Connecticut state officials are Grinches. For the third year in a row, the Republican Scott has given state employees the day off on Christmas Eve. Employees who perform essential functions, including law enforcement, still have to be on duty. But for others, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

State Sen. Rene Garcia has again filed legislation to create a “Small Business Saturday sales tax holiday.” The bill (SB 1236) was filed Wednesday for the 2016 Legislative Session. The Miami Republican filed a similar bill for last session but it and a House companion died in committees. The idea has been supported by the National Federation of Independent […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

Elizabeth Lane will join LeadingAge Florida as director of Education and Events, the organization announced in a Wednesday news release. “My goal is to build on the strong foundation of professional development and events at LeadingAge Florida,” she said in a prepard statement. “I’m excited to engage the LeadingAge Florida membership and deliver outstanding experiences […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2015

Higher Cash 3 and Play 4 sales, as well as increased scratch-off ticket sales, have led to a growth in Florida Lottery revenue, according to the state’s economic forecasters. Total ticket sales were $79 million over estimate for July-November of this year, the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference reported on Dec. 8. At the same time, […]

Jim Rosica

Revenue Department head Marshall Stranburg says he’s resigning

Judge wrong to submit lawyer to breath test, appellate court finds

State prisons investigators lose whistleblower appeal

On Jeb Bush and bare loins in art

Elections supervisors to court: Decide Senate redistricting by March 15, please

Florida imprisoning fewer people than expected, state panel finds

Christmas Eve struggle is real for some state workers

Rene Garcia proposes tax holiday to help small businesses

Personnel note: Elizabeth Lane joins LeadingAge Florida

Florida Lottery revenues on rise