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

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

The Lord may have said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” but he’s given up on the Florida Capitol. The private group that has put up a Christian nativity scene inside the statehouse says it’s taking a pass this year because the annual controversy over various displays has become too distracting. Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

In a dual appellate-court smackdown Friday, Pinellas and Broward counties lost separate appeals against the Department of Juvenile Justice related to the state collectively overbilling counties as much as $140 million for juvenile detention costs. In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal acknowledged that the money due to counties […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

One of three Senate committee leaders set to review now-outgoing Department of Economic Opportunity chief Jesse Panuccio for confirmation next year didn’t say she was sorry to see him go. “I’ve already said too much about Mr. Panuccio,” state Sen. Nancy Detert, the Venice Republican in charge of the Commerce and Tourism Committee, said Friday. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

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Days after the state Supreme Court ordered a redrawing of Florida’s congressional districts, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum now is exploring a primary challenge to Democratic U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, whose seat was redirected toward the Panhandle and Big Bend. A longtime Democratic Party official, though, says Gillum has a tough slog if he thinks he […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A bill that would allow for stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida unanimously cleared its second Senate review panel. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the measure (SB 460) on Thursday. State Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican behind the bill, said it was aimed at allowing stronger but still non-smokeable marijuana for […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A Florida House panel on Thursday unanimously approved yet another bill aimed at the state’s oversight body for high school athletics. But the bill’s sponsor explained that the legislation (EDC 16-01) would put into state law much of what the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) already has in its internal bylaws. “There’s a lot of agreement here,” […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A Senate panel has cleared a bill that would classify computer coding as a “foreign language” for purposes of getting high school credit. The PreK-12 Education Committee approved the legislation (SB 468) on Thursday. The measure is sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy Ring, a former Yahoo! executive. Ring, a Margate Democrat, made clear his bill would not force […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina on Thursday said frontrunner Donald Trump “only feel(s) big when he’s trying to make other people look small.” Fiorina, the 61-year-old former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. Fiorina also commented on Wednesday’s mass shooting in San Bernardino County, California: “The first thing I did was say a prayer, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

Richard Corcoran, who will be Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives at the same time Joe Negron is Senate President, called him a “good friend” and “an intelligent and principled leader.” Corcoran sat in the front row at Negron’s designation ceremony Wednesday. The Land O’ Lakes Republican had his own designation ceremony in September. “I […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Tallahassee on Wednesday said she was “disappointed” by the state Supreme Court’s decision in a redistricting case that could spell the end of her nascent congressional career. But Graham, elected in 2014, said she hadn’t decided which direction her public service will next take. The court approved a map that redraws […]

Jim Rosica

Baby Jesus could be absent from Capitol this year

Court won’t order DJJ to repay counties for juvenile detention overbilling

Jesse Panuccio’s road to resignation paved with Senate’s hard feelings

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum considering run for Congress

Bill allowing stronger medical marijuana advances in House

Another high school athletics bill moves in House

Senate panel OKs classifying computer coding as “foreign language”

Carly Fiorina says Donald Trump makes people feel “small”

Richard Corcoran promises blue skies with Joe Negron

Gwen Graham staying course despite redistricting decision