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

Jim RosicaDecember 14, 2015

A plaintiffs’ lawyer on Monday squarely set up his boogeyman for this week’s state Senate redistricting trial: Sen. Bill Galvano, the chamber’s redistricting chair, its Republican leader and a future Senate president. “He made all the significant decisions regarding their map,” said attorney David King in his opening statement. “None of the other senators ever saw […]

Jim RosicaDecember 14, 2015

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Circuit Judge George Reynolds is scheduled to begin on Monday a five-day trial to determine the makeup of the state’s 40 senatorial districts. After listening to lawmakers, staff members, expert witnesses and other who will testify, Reynolds will have to pick one of five suggested maps submitted by the plaintiffs and the Legislature. One of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 11, 2015

Three Florida nurseries on Friday filed the first protests over the state’s licensing of growers of medical marijuana, according to the state Department of Health. The department confirmed receiving filings from TropiFlora of Sarasota, San Felasco Nurseries of Gainesville and Perkins Nursery of LaBelle by the close of business. Rejected nurseries have until Monday to file protests over the state’s award […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner says he expects a productive 2016 Legislative Session without the turmoil that fractured last session. Gardiner, a Republican, spoke to FloridaPolitics.com Thursday in a pre-session interview. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli is scheduled to hold a similar question-and-answer session with news media next Friday. But the issue that caused the last Session to […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

A rainbow-colored pole with a disco ball on top has been cleared for display this holiday season in the state Capitol rotunda, its sponsor told FloridaPolitics.com on Thursday. South Florida blogger Chaz Stevens said the Department of Management Services, which oversees state property, OK’d his Gay Pride Festivus pole to be shown Dec. 21-28. Stevens was previously […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

A medical marijuana lobbyist said a half-dozen Florida nurseries that had applied but failed to become growers “are thinking seriously about protesting” the state’s license-award process. Taylor Patrick Biehl told FloridaPolitics.com on Thursday that he and fellow lobbyist Jeff Sharkey had “spoken with seven or eight nurseries and a variety of administrative lawyers about the protest possibilities, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

A political committee affiliated with Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam reported $129,000 in fundraising for November, down from nearly $694,000 the month before. Reports were due to the state’s Division of Elections on Thursday. Putnam’s two top contributors were the Florida Medical Association and Ware Oil and Supply Co. of Perry, a petroleum products wholesaler, with […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

State Rep. Ritch Workman, the Melbourne Republican and House Rules chairman, is inviting his Tallahassee friends – read “lobbyists” – to a “good old-fashioned Christmas party.” The hope is they’ll bring their checkbooks, though that’s “not required.” In an email sent this month, Workman said he’d “made a lot of friends in this process (but) usually our ‘fellowship’ is […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Adam Putnam is in his second and ostensibly last term as Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner and “loves” the job so much he won’t comment on his future political aspirations – despite the open secret that he’s the GOP heir apparent to the Governor’s Mansion in 2018. Asked to clarify his future plans, Putnam again punted on the 2018-and-beyond […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Wednesday said he won’t object if lawmakers approve a bill putting him in charge of regulating fantasy sports play in the state. Putnam spoke to reporters during an informal “pen and pad” question-and-answer session in advance of the 2016 Legislative Session that starts Jan. 12. State Sen. Joe Negron […]

Jim Rosica
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Plaintiffs lay blame for redistricting mess on Bill Galvano

State Senate redistricting trial set to begin Monday

3 Florida nurseries file protests over medical marijuana licenses

Andy Gardiner hopes to avoid health care funding dramas of last Session

“Disco pole” approved, “spaghetti monster” applies for Capitol holiday displays

Nurseries gearing up for pot protests, lobbyist says

Adam Putnam political committee reports $129K for November

Ritch Workman combines holiday cheer with political checks

Adam Putnam still coy about his political future — and still raising money

Adam Putnam says he’s OK with regulating fantasy sports play