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

Jim RosicaSeptember 10, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-09-06-at-2.03.06-PM-e1536257093634.png

Janelle Irwin Taylor, formerly Tampa Bay correspondent for Florida Politics and the now-retired SaintPetersblog, is returning to the platform after more than two years at the Tampa Bay Business Journal. “Her reporting and writing has always been infused with smarts, sass when allowed, and sensitivity when required,” said Peter Schorsch, owner of Extensive Enterprises Media, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 8, 2018

MedMen Enterprises Inc. of Los Angeles, the country’s biggest medical marijuana provider, on Friday said it had closed a deal to buy a medical marijuana treatment center license and “related assets” from Central Florida’s Treadwell Nursery. The $53 million deal, first announced in June, includes “prime retail locations with long term leases in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 7, 2018

The state’s Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld a lower court ruling approving Amendment 10, which would overhaul state and local governments by requiring certain offices now appointed to be elected. That means the constitutional change remains on the Nov. 6 ballot, though it still must be approved by no less than 60 percent of […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 7, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court on Friday ordered a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban betting on live greyhound racing back on the ballot, reversing a lower-court judge. Now, if approved by at least 60 percent of voters in November, the measure could sound the death knell of the state’s 87-year-old greyhound industry. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 7, 2018

The face of the Florida Greyhound Association is asking the head of the state agency regulating gambling to let his people go. Go behind the scenes at dog tracks, that is. Tallahassee lobbying legend Jack Cory, who’s advocated for the greyhound industry for decades, sent a request Friday for an “emergency rule” to Jonathan Zachem, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 7, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott ordered flags at half-staff for Taylor J. Galvin, a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3). Galvin died after an Aug. 20 helicopter crash in Iraq. His wife’s family live in Cedar Key. Scott directed the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Levy County Courthouse in Bronson, Town Hall in Cedar Key, and […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 6, 2018

The_exterior_of_Calder_Casino_which_opened_in_2010-e1536091933638.jpg

A Tallahassee judge is challenging a Florida thoroughbred horsemen’s group to convince him he shouldn’t throw out a challenge of a South Florida track’s gambling permit. Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early on Wednesday gave the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) till next Wednesday to show him why he shouldn’t dismiss what he called “an impermissible […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2018

Gambling regulators on Tuesday warned racing greyhound owners and others that public tours of kennels at Florida greyhound tracks may violate state regulations. A representative of the industry soon shot back that the prohibition was “outrageous!” Last month, the National Greyhound Association said it would offer tours of “three Florida greyhound tracks and their on-site kennels.” The two-hour guided […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2018

A gun-rights group is again suing over Florida State University‘s guns-on-campus policy. Florida Carry sued the state university last week over its student conduct code, which was “amended” last June. It now wrongfully prohibits “the open possession of long guns, i.e. rifles and shotguns, in a vehicle unless they (are) concealed,” according to the complaint. The organization sued in Leon […]

Jim RosicaAugust 30, 2018

If a video game looks, plays and pays out like a slot machine, it’s a slot machine — even if you know whether you’re going to win or lose, an appellate court ruled Thursday. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that what’s known as pre-reveal games, specifically the kind […]

Jim Rosica
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Personnel note: Janelle Irwin Taylor returns to Florida Politics

Done deal: Medical marijuana’s MedMen closes on Florida acquisition

Amendment 10 OK’d for ballot by Supreme Court

Off to the races: Supreme Court clears dog racing-ban for ballot

Jack Cory to state gambling regulators: Let the kennel tours go on

RIP ‘Every day hero’: Flags at half-staff for Taylor J. Galvin

Judge set to dismiss horse group’s challenge of Calder Casino gambling permit

Whoa, dog: State says greyhound kennel tours aren’t allowed

Tempest over ‘truck guns’: FSU sued—again—over firearms on campus

Court says ‘pre-reveal’ games that play like slots are illegal