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

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2015

The Republican Party of Florida is racking up still more presidential contenders as guests at its Sunshine Summit next month, scoring U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. The party made the announcement in a Friday morning news release. The addition of Cruz and Fiorina “is further proof that this is the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2015

Orlando trial attorney John Morgan now is seeking clients for the latest legal vogue: Suing Volkswagen. His firm, Morgan & Morgan, sent out emails Thursday, saying recipients “may be entitled to compensation” from the car company. Volkswagen recently was caught hacking its own emission devices with software that enabled its diesel cars to trick U.S. government tests. The […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2015

Jessica Sims will become the Department of Children and Families’ new communications director, starting Monday, Secretary Mike Carroll said in a news release Thursday. “We are excited to bring Jessica on board to lead the statewide efforts of collaboration, partnership and prevention with our community and media partners,” Carroll said in a prepared statement. “Our mission […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2015

The Senate’s budget panel got the raw news Thursday: Florida isn’t getting a break on health care costs anytime soon. The Appropriations Committee, which helps write the state’s annual spending plan, heard presentations on “The Economics of Health Care” and “Factors Influencing the Price of Health Insurance.” One item conspicuously not on the agenda: Medicaid expansion. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2015

State Sen. Jeremy Ring, a former Yahoo! executive, Thursday filed legislation that would classify “computer coding” as a foreign language for high school students. The bill (SB 468) would also require high school students applying for Florida Bright Future college scholarships to have earned computer coding credits. The two-page bill says “high schools must provide […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2015

The Florida Senate’s Rules Committee on Thursday unanimously recommended removing a Confederate flag from the chamber’s official seal and replacing it with the state flag. Senators on the panel voted for the move 9-0. The matter now goes before the full Senate, which could consider it in the beginning of the 2016 Legislative Session in […]

Jim RosicaOctober 8, 2015

The Florida Senate on Thursday will start its formal consideration of removing the Confederate flag from the chamber’s official seal. But another flag depiction greets visitors to the Capitol as they enter the Senate’s 5th floor observation gallery: The “Five Flags Mural,” which includes the Confederate flag near the center of the 10 foot-by-16 foot painting. Critics needn’t worry […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

A bill filed in the Legislature Wednesday would erase the state’s hodgepodge system of taxing cigarettes and instead impose a standard $2 surcharge on each pack sold in Florida. It would also end the practice of allowing manufacturers to give away free sample packs of cigarettes. The legislation (HB 335), brought by Democratic state Rep. Richard Stark of Weston, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

The head of an athletic oversight body on Wednesday told lawmakers he needs a change in state law to better combat recruiting in high school sports. The Senate’s PreK-12 Education Committee held a workshop on high school athletics issues but considered no legislation. Dr. Roger Dearing, CEO of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), told the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

Two Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday said they were filing legislation to allow stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida. State Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach and state Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island announced the bill (HB 307/SB 360) at a morning press conference in the Capitol. Gaetz told reporters he joined other […]

Jim Rosica

Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz added to RPOF’s Sunshine Summit

Email Insights: John Morgan seeking VW clients

Jessica Sims to head DCF’s communications

Senate budget panel wrestles with health costs

Can computer coding be a “foreign language”? Lawmaker thinks so

Panel OKs erasing Confederate flag from Senate seal

Capitol mural with Confederate flag will be ‘changed out’

Bill would standardize state cigarette tax

Senate panel hears high school sports concerns

Lawmakers introduce bill for stronger medical pot