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

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Florida’s only openly gay lawmaker has filed a bill to outlaw conversion therapy, a treatment program usually to change one’s orientation from homosexual to heterosexual, on those under 18. State Rep. David Richardson, a Miami Beach Democrat, filed his bill (HB 137) on Thursday. The legislation would forbid anyone who does “professional counseling” to use conversion therapy […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Woodrow “Woody” Simmons, Verizon Communications’ longtime lobbyist in Florida, is retiring. Simmons, based in Tallahassee, withdrew his lobbyist registration effective this week, state records show. “Woody’s excellent work on Verizon’s behalf to ensure a fair and competitive communications market accrues to the benefit of our customers now and well into the future,” Verizon’s South Area […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 3, 2015

Miami-Dade County was socked with a federal lawsuit Thursday by Muslim inmates who say they can’t get a religiously-acceptable meal in the county’s jails. Four inmates filed suit in federal court in Miami against the county, its jail system and various officials, according to the complaint. They seek a court order forcing the jails to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 3, 2015

The state’s Office of Financial Regulation went live Thursday with a new check cashing database aimed at fighting fraud. Check cashing businesses now will have to enter a range of information on any check of $1,000 or more, or on anyone cashing more than $1,000 in checks per day, OFR spokeswoman Jamie Mongiovi said. Identifying information, for instance, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 3, 2015

A top state child-protection official who reportedly had an “frat house”-management style, disparaging and berating underlings and referring to some as “ho’s,” has quit his job. David Abramowitz was director of the Northeast Florida region for the Department of Children and Families. He turned in his resignation Wednesday, as first reported by First Coast News. DCF Press Secretary Michelle Glady […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

The leader of the Florida House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus has filed a bill to protect those who break into cars to rescue “children, elderly persons, disabled adults, or pets.” State Rep. Dana Young of Tampa on Wednesday filed changes (HB 131) to Florida’s “Good Samaritan Act” that would make a bona fide do-gooder “immune from civil liability,” […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday said in a news release that Saturday will be a “license-free saltwater fishing day for Florida residents and visitors.” “Florida is the fishing capital of the world and we hope even more families and visitors fish in our waters this Labor Day weekend,” he said. This month’s license-free day is one […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

Florida has tied with Iowa for having the 10th-best-funded state pension system in the country, according to a recent report by Employee Benefit Adviser. The Florida Retirement System is 81 percent funded, the report said, though the survey noted it used figures from 2013. That number differs from the State Board of Administration, which manages the […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

At least one legislator is trying again to change the law on the state’s oversight body for public high school athletics, including ensuring that it is revenue-neutral, among other things. State Rep. Ross Spano, a Dover Republican, has filed a bill (HB 31) for next session that tweaks state law governing the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). This will make the fifth year […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham on Wednesday called fellow GOP candidate Donald Trump‘s solution to destroy the Islamic State militant and terrorist group “the biggest recruiting opportunity in the (group’s) history.” Graham, a U.S. senator from South Carolina, appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program. He also said he agreed with former Vice President Dick Cheney, who was on […]

Jim Rosica
Congrats to Parrish Thompson for landing the 2024 Victor Heller award. Image via FWC.

Bill would ban ‘conversion therapy’ for gay teens

Longtime Verizon lobbyist Woody Simmons retires

Miami-Dade jails discriminate on diets, suit says

State launches check-cashing database to combat fraud

DCF losing top child-protection official for Jacksonville region

Dana Young files bill to expand “Good Samaritan” law

Saturday is license-free saltwater fishing day

Florida ranked No. 10 among states with “best-funded” state pensions

Battle over high school sports looms in Legislature

Lindsey Graham: Donald Trump plan is ‘biggest recruiting opportunity’ for Islamic State