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

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2018

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Simone Marstiller, a retired appellate judge, has been appointed to the Florida Supreme Court’s Judicial Management Council. Marstiller now is with the Gunster law firm’s appellate and government affairs teams, based in the Tallahassee and Tampa offices. The council “serves as high-level management consultants to the Supreme Court and (is) responsible for assisting the chief justice in proactively identifying trends, potential crisis situations, […]

Jim RosicaJuly 17, 2018

If a video game looks like a slot machine, plays like a slot machine, and pays out like a slot machine, is it still a slot machine if you know whether you’re going to win or lose? No, said an attorney for a Jacksonville company that distributes what are called “pre-reveal” games, which can be found across […]

Jim RosicaJuly 16, 2018

A Destin lawyer has sued the Department of Health, saying a medical marijuana license preference for black farmers should include “Native American farmers and ranchers.” Donivon Craig Tingle filed suit in Okaloosa County Circuit Civil court last month. The suit was disclosed in a departmental “legal updates” email on Friday — the same day officials said they […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

With the number of “qualified, active patients” surpassing 100,000, the Department of Health on Friday said it would finally start the process of issuing additional medical marijuana provider licenses. The four new “medical marijuana treatment center” (MMTC) licenses, however, will be issued “through a new rule,” the department added. That could mean a delay as the agency […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

Veteran Florida-based National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer is seeking $1 million in damages, saying she was harassed and threatened by four men from across the country. Hammer filed a lawsuit, including a motion for preliminary injunction, in federal court in Tallahassee on Friday. The case was first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat. She described herself […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

A new political committee called “Vote NO on 3” has registered to oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of new gambling. A Division of Elections listing accessed Friday show the political committee (PC) is chaired by South Florida’s Isadore “Izzy” Havenick, whose family operates Magic City Casino in Miami and Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & […]

Jim RosicaJuly 12, 2018

Calling it “affirmatively misleading,” the League of Women Voters of Florida is seeking to have a proposed constitutional amendment on education tossed off the ballot. At issue is a section that would let organizers of charter schools avoid having to get an OK from local school boards to open. The League itself, President Patricia M. […]

Jim RosicaJuly 11, 2018

Saying he violated their constitutional rights “in multiple ways, and over repeated objections,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron asked a Tallahassee judge to remove himself from future proceedings in an environmental funding case. The legislative leaders filed their disqualification request with Circuit Judge Charles Dodson earlier this week. On June 28, […]

Jim RosicaJuly 10, 2018

State regulators have given up for now on a contentious rule requiring a hefty fee from medical marijuana suppliers. The Department of Health, which regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use, had first proposed in April a “supplemental licensing fee” of $174,844 from each provider. But the office on Monday, without explanation, announced it was […]

Jim RosicaJuly 9, 2018

The $1.5 billion expansion underway at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood celebrated a milestone Monday with a “topping out” of its 450-foot high guitar-shaped tower. That is, the final steel beam was ceremonially hoisted and set atop the tower. It will bring 638 new guest rooms and suites. “The beam itself was transported to […]

Jim Rosica
Before diving in to Thanksgiving, head over to Hayward House for some Fall favorites.

Personnel note: Simone Marstiller appointed to Judicial Management Council

What’s a slot machine? Florida court will decide

Native American farmer suing state over marijuana licenses

State may soon get more medical marijuana providers

Marion Hammer files million-dollar lawsuit against alleged harassers

New committee forms to fight gambling-control amendment

League of Women Voters sues over education amendment

Lawmakers want judge tossed off environmental funding suit

Medical marijuana regulators withdraw licensing fee rule

Topped out: Hard Rock Hollywood hoists final guitar tower girder