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

Jim RosicaAugust 14, 2018

Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead is challenging six proposed constitutional amendments on grounds they violate voters’ First Amendment rights. Anstead, who served on the Supreme Court 1994-2009, on Tuesday filed a petition with the court for a writ of ‘quo warranto,’ a court action against government officials to demand they prove their authority […]

Jim RosicaAugust 13, 2018

As it defends a slew of cases over medical marijuana, the state of Florida has spent close to $2 million on outside lawyers. Nearly all of that went to one firm. Records reviewed last week show at least $1.9 million approved by the Department of Health (DOH) going to two law firms — mostly Vezina, Lawrence & Piscitelli, […]

Jim RosicaAugust 10, 2018

Mike Carroll, Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), will quit his post effective Sept. 6, Gov. Rick Scott‘s office announced Friday. “Mike embodies the ideals and mission of the Department … and has devoted nearly three decades to improve and change the lives of Florida’s vulnerable children and families,” the governor said […]

Jim RosicaAugust 9, 2018

Gary Stein, a medical marijuana historian and advocate, has opened his own Florida fundraising panel — the first of its kind — to support pro-marijuana candidates and influence legislation. Clarity PAC was officially registered Wednesday as a non-profit corporation and political committee, state records show. Its mission: “To advocate for full legal access to medicinal […]

Jim RosicaAugust 9, 2018

Democratic candidate for Attorney General Sean Shaw said, if elected, he will convene a “statewide gun violence working group” on his first day in office. He made the announcement at a Thursday press conference. “Your voices will be heard,” said Shaw, standing outside Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s Plaza-level office in the Capitol. He was flanked by members of Moms […]

Jim RosicaAugust 8, 2018

The political committee behind a proposed constitutional amendment limiting gambling plans a $30 million ad buy to promote the measure’s passage. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public files document some of the purchase. John Sowinski, chairman of Voters In Charge which is behind the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, on Wednesday confirmed the total buy. The initiative will appear on the November […]

Jim RosicaAugust 7, 2018

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Rick Scott‘s claims that Nelson refuses to debate him are “silly.” Nelson spoke with reporters in Tallahassee on Tuesday, before a ceremony at the Tallahassee Veterans Affairs Health Care Center to name the facility after Marine Corps Sgt. Ernest “Boots” Thomas. “Obviously, it’s to my advantage to debate him,” […]

Jim RosicaAugust 7, 2018

Despite a Tallahassee judge declaring significant parts of the state’s medical marijuana law unconstitutional, the law’s chief architect on Tuesday said he was confident the law would be affirmed. “The trial court ruling injected unnecessary uncertainty into the emerging medical marijuana marketplace,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican. “I’m confident that our appellate courts will […]

Jim RosicaAugust 7, 2018

Screen-Shot-2018-06-25-at-9.44.09-AM.png

The 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday agreed to “pass through” to the state’s Supreme Court a case on whether a proposed amendment to end greyhound racing should stay on the November ballot. A unanimous three-judge panel said the matter was “of great public importance,” needing “immediate resolution … due to time constraints related to the pending election and ballot preparation […]

Jim RosicaAugust 6, 2018

An administrative law judge on Monday struck down a proposed state regulation carving out a ‘citrus preference’ for medical marijuana provider licenses, calling it “invalid.” The decision may be moot, however, because a circuit judge last week declared the section of state law creating the preference to be unconstitutional. (That story is here.) Louis Del […]

Jim Rosica
Image via Rick Scott Senate office.

Former Supreme Court justice challenges constitutional amendments

State has spent $2M on legal bills for medical marijuana

Mike Carroll quits as head of Florida’s child-welfare agency

Medical marijuana advocates start their own PAC

Sean Shaw promises task force on gun violence ‘on day one’

Group backing gambling amendment plans $30M ad buy

Bill Nelson: Rick Scott is ‘silly’ about debate refusal claims

Rob Bradley says medical marijuana law will be upheld

Appeals court hands off dog racing ban challenge to Supreme Court

Judge strikes down proposed ‘citrus preference’ rule for marijuana licenses