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

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Two more state Senate maps were submitted late Tuesday as part of the ongoing Special Session to redraw the districts, which the chamber previously admitted were gerrymandered to benefit Republicans. State Rep. Matt Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican, and state Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Lake Worth Democrat, each filed their own map. A cursory […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

The operators of a North Florida race track are asking the state Supreme Court to review a lower-court decision that said several Florida dog and horse tracks can’t also have slot machines. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which runs the track in Gretna, filed its request Tuesday. Gretna is about 25 miles west of […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Two Democratic lawmakers have filed identical bills that would punish state lawmakers for gerrymandering political districts, up to removal from office. State Sen. Darren Soto of Orlando and state Rep. Dwight Dudley of St. Petersburg filed the legislation (SB 6-C/HB 3-C) on Tuesday. But it’s almost certain the bills won’t be taken up by the Legislature; they would first need […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Bill Johnson, head of the state’s economic development agency, continued to take hits from state senators Tuesday as he pressed for still more money for business incentive programs. Johnson, CEO of Enterprise Florida, appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development. Gov. Rick Scott’s point man on enticing new business to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

North Florida congressional candidate Mary Thomas has scored another endorsement from a staunch conservative. Thomas, seeking the seat held by first-term Democrat Gwen Graham, on Tuesday announced the support of state Rep. Mike Hill, a Pensacola Beach Republican. “Mary shares my values on limited government, reining in profligate spending and adhering to the Constitution,” he said in a […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

A bill that would protect those who break into cars to rescue children, pets, or the elderly or disabled cleared its first committee on Tuesday. The bill (SB 131) was OK’d by the House Civil Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 13-0. The legislation as originally filed by House Republican Leader Dana Young of Tampa would […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Here’s a running log of Democratic reaction to the announcement that former Gov. Charlie Crist will seek a seat in Congress representing Pinellas County: Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant welcomed Crist to the race for Florida’s 13th congressional district: “With the final implementation of the Fair District amendments, Florida Democrats are excit(ed) and energized to pick […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Brittany Dover may be an up-and-comer on Tallahassee’s political track but isn’t too proud to live next door to her parents on the North Florida farm where she grew up. Dover, 28, has worked her way from the Republican Party of Florida, where she got her first break, to working in legislative affairs at the departments […]

Jim RosicaOctober 19, 2015

State Sen. Jeff Clemens has again filed a bill allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp, the fiber of the cannabis plant that’s used to make fabrics, paper and rope. The bill (SB 554) was submitted Monday. Because hemp is related to marijuana, it’s banned in the states. But the level of THC – the chemical that causes a high – […]

Jim RosicaOctober 19, 2015

A fiery state Sen. Tom Lee lashed out at the Senate’s outside attorney Monday, questioning why he didn’t object to specific allegations of unconstitutionality over the chamber’s current districts. The Legislature had begun a scheduled three-week Special Session to redraw the state’s 40 districts after the Senate settled a court challenge by admitting its current map was gerrymandered to […]

Jim Rosica

2 more maps filed for Senate redistricting

Gretna race track wants Supreme Court to decide slots question

Democratic legislation would create penalties for gerrymandering

Bill Johnson keeps up fight for incentives funding

Mike Hill endorses Mary Thomas for CD-2

Dana Young’s new “Good Samaritan” bill clears first committee

Democrats react to Charlie Crist’s run for Congress

Meet Brittany Dover, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Industrial hemp bill re-filed for next session

An angry Tom Lee questions Senate base maps