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

Jim RosicaAugust 6, 2018

A Tallahassee judge eviscerated the state law on medical marijuana, declaring major provisions to be unconstitutional. The ruling came in a challenge brought by Florigrown, which had been denied a chance to become a “medical marijuana treatment center” (MMTC), or provider. The company is partly owned by Tampa strip club mogul and free speech advocate Joe Redner. […]

Jim RosicaAugust 3, 2018

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Lara Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, is joining Attorney General Pam Bondi for a fundraiser to benefit the campaign to pass a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing in Florida. Trump, a former television host and producer and an animal rights supporter, is married to Eric Trump, the president’s second son. Trump and […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

Donald Trump‘s nominations for judgeships are ensuring a federal bench that looks like the president, according to Integrity Florida: Older, white and male. The Tallahassee-based ethics-in-government watchdog’s latest report, released Thursday, also questions Trump’s assertion that he would prioritize “qualifications” over diversity. The group says that in fact the 72-year-old president is focusing on neither. “Trump has already nominated more […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

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The state has filed a notice of appeal to a circuit judge’s decision that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing is “defective” and can’t go on the ballot. Edward M. Wenger, the state’s chief deputy solicitor general, filed notice (posted at bottom) Thursday afternoon — one day after Circuit Judge Karen Gievers ruled […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

‘Don’t give up,’ supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing are telling volunteers. A Tallahassee judge on Wednesday ruled that Amendment 13 shouldn’t go on the November ballot, calling it “outright ‘trickeration‘ ” — which opponents have since turned into a social media hashtag and rallying cry. Among other things, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ 27-page order said the amendment’s […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

Mark Kruse has been elevated from Policy Coordinator to Legislative Affairs Director for Gov. Rick Scott, replacing Kevin Reilly. As Legislative Affairs Director, he will be Scott’s chief liaison to lawmakers as the term-limited governor prepares to leave office in January. “Kevin Reilly was instrumental in so many of Gov. Scott’s outstanding legislative achievements over the past two sessions […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

State Rep. Chuck Clemons is appealing a federal judge’s decision not to toss out a lawsuit against him because he blocked a constituent from his official social media. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida had denied the Newberry Republican’s motion to dismiss in May. While Clemons appeals Walker’s ruling to the 11th […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

Saying it “hide(s) the ball” and calling it “outright ‘trickeration,’ ” a Tallahassee judge has ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing shouldn’t go on the November ballot. But in a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi – who supports a dog-racing ban – said her office “will appeal this decision immediately and seek […]

Jim RosicaJuly 31, 2018

The Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday issued its report on electric utilities’ hurricane preparedness and restoration actions and “found that, overall, the length of power outages was reduced, indicating that storm hardening practices work.” In 2006, the PSC ordered electric utilities to implement extensive activities to improve system resilience. That was followed by 10 […]

Jim RosicaJuly 30, 2018

Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum Monday called on Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency and suspend the state’s “stand your ground” law by executive order. In a news conference in Tallahassee, Gillum said the law has become an “opportunity for vigilantes to agitate conflict” from behind the legal […]

Jim Rosica

Judge declares parts of medical marijuana law unconstitutional

Lara Trump, president’s daughter-in-law, joins fight for dog-racing ban

Integrity Florida report questions Donald Trump judicial nominations

State appeals decision to keep dog-racing ban off ballot

Dog-racing ban supporters say they’re still ‘full steam ahead’

Personnel note: Mark Kruse named Rick Scott’s new Legislative Affairs Director

Chuck Clemons appealing in social media ‘blocking’ case

Judge strikes down dog-racing ban, calling it ‘outright trickeration’

Power outages reduced, storm hardening works, PSC says

Andrew Gillum: Rick Scott should suspend ‘Stand Your Ground’ law