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

Jim RosicaAugust 27, 2015

Preliminary schedules have been released for the first legislative committee week of Sept. 14, with the action not starting till Wednesday in both chambers. But starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday and lasting through 2:30 p.m. on Friday, legislators have 54 meetings slated throughout the Capitol Complex, according to a tally from LobbyTools. The agendas have yet […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

The Florida House of Representatives has released committee assignments for the 2016 Legislative Session, including a brand new “Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access” created Wednesday. “I am directing the Select Committee to explore policy options to reduce the cost of health care for consumers and improve the transparency of health care information, make recommendations for […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

As expected, Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has asked the Florida Supreme Court for guidance in the ever-complicated challenge to the state’s congressional redistricting. In a 2-page filing submitted Wednesday, Lewis noted that the high court charged him with overseeing the details of the case, including the actual redrawing of a new map. The problem is […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina is calling Donald Trump’s GOP candidacy a “big wake-up call to the professional political class.” She spoke Wednesday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe program with hosts Joe Scarborough, a former Florida Panhandle congressman, and Mika Brzezinski. Fiorina, the 60-year-old former Hewlett-Packard CEO, stands at 5.5 percent in Huffington Post’s latest average […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

A state representative from Naples has filed a bill to heighten penalties for crimes committed against real estate agents when they show a house. But one criminal law expert already is questioning the need for such an enhancement. GOP state Rep. Kathleen Passidomo filed the legislation (HB 47) this month. It would bump up the maximum […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

The idea has stalled more than once in the Florida Legislature, but a nonprofit watchdog organization is again beating the drum for “telemedicine,” the use of online technology to treat patients. In a news release, Florida TaxWatch says it will convene health care experts next month in Orlando for a “Telehealth Cornerstone Conference.” It’s also released […]

Jim RosicaAugust 26, 2015

The race to become the next Florida Senate president is over, and Joe Negron says he’s won. But his competitor for the post, GOP state Sen. Jack Latvala, says: Not so fast. On Wednesday, Negron said in a news release he had captured a majority of votes from the Senate’s Republican caucus to become head of his […]

Jim RosicaAugust 25, 2015

Hope sprang eternal in the Leon County Courthouse on Tuesday with the state Senate’s redistricting chairman insisting there is still time for lawmakers to get together and come up with a new map for the state’s 27 congressional seats. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis held a brief hearing after the Florida Legislature couldn’t agree on new […]

Jim RosicaAugust 25, 2015

Tallahassee attorney Benjamin Crump, known for representing the family of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin, says he will host a series of “civic justice town halls” on college campuses across the country. Crump, a prominent civil-rights lawyer with partner Daryl Parks, will co-host the forums with media personality Sheryl Underwood, according to a Tuesday news […]

Jim RosicaAugust 25, 2015

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham on Tuesday flunked the Florida Legislature because it failed to agree on a new map of congressional districts after a 2-week Special Session that ended last Friday. “When you’re given a job to do, you do the job,” Graham said after a Tallahassee news conference about her legislation aimed at reducing infant deaths. […]

Jim Rosica

Schedule for first legislative committee week is out

House committee assignments released; new healthcare panel added

Judge formally asks Supreme Court for redistricting direction

Carly Fiorina takes on Donald Trump on “Morning Joe”

Bill would increase penalties of attacks on real estate agents

Florida TaxWatch bullish on “telemedicine”

Joe Negron declares victory in Senate president race

Redistricting hearing: Trial judge needs direction, Senate wants do-over

Attorney Benjamin Crump to host college campus ‘civic justice town halls’

Gwen Graham on redistricting: Legislature didn’t do its job