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

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2018

Gambling lobbyist Marc Dunbar is telling anti-gambling activist John Sowinski to lay his cards on the table. In an open letter released Thursday, Dunbar says Sowinski – president of No Casinos – has “declared war on (the gambling) industry, and in turn our economy, with a proposed constitutional amendment which you now have finally and publicly disclosed is […]

Jim RosicaApril 5, 2018

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Barring any last minute turbulence, get ready for a long ballot in November. The Constitution Revision Commission’s Style and Drafting Committee on Thursday OK’d 12 proposed amendments to the state’s governing document. (A meeting packet for Thursday is here.) They would be in addition to five amendments, either from the Legislature or citizen initiatives, already […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2018

The head of an anti-casino gambling organization has again written to top lawmakers, saying the Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s commitment to keep paying gambling revenue share should shut down further talks on a Special Session. “Doesn’t today’s commitment by the Seminole Tribe to continue making compact payments resolve the potential revenue loss concern that legislative leaders […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will appeal a federal judge’s order to devise a new process for restoring voting rights to felons. The Governor’s Office announced the move Wednesday morning. The appeal will be filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “People elected by Floridians should determine Florida’s clemency rules for […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2018

Despite a legal right to cut off the money, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has decided to continue paying the state its share of Indian casino gambling revenue each month. The Tribe “confirmed” its decision Tuesday night, according to its outside counsel, Barry Richard of the Greenberg Traurig firm, who participated in a conference call. The Tribe pays $19.5 […]

Jim RosicaApril 3, 2018

Despite increasing calls for and against a Special Legislative Session on gambling, the Seminole Tribe‘s lawyer continues to back his client’s promise to keep paying millions to the state. “They’re not just going to stop paying just because they have the right to,” said Barry Richard on Tuesday. That said, if lawmakers come back with […]

Jim RosicaApril 3, 2018

Billionaire GOP contributor Mike Fernandez and nearly 70 other business and political leaders are objecting to a proposed constitutional amendment to require employers to verify their workers’ immigration status and employment eligibility. Fernandez, a health care entrepreneur who also chairs the Immigration Partnership and Coalition Fund (IMPAC Fund), sent a letter Tuesday to members of Florida Constitution Revision Commission in […]

Jim RosicaApril 2, 2018

The head of a group that opposes casino gambling in Florida is telling lawmakers to take a pass on a Special Session for unresolved gambling issues. “If ever there was an issue that the Legislature has already spent too much time, energy, intellectual capacity and political capital, it is gambling,” No Casinos president John Sowinski wrote […]

Jim RosicaApril 2, 2018

Trulieve, a medical marijuana provider, on Monday filed a “constitutional challenge” against the state’s Department of Health over how many retail stores it can open, and where, under current law. An attorney for the company, which is seeking “non-monetary declaratory or injunctive relief,” provided a copy of the complaint by George Hackney Inc., the Gadsden County nursery […]

Jim RosicaMarch 30, 2018

Let the good times roll — to your door. A bill (HB 667) that would expressly allow Floridians to use a smartphone app to order alcoholic beverages for home delivery was one of 18 signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday. Services with apps, such as Drizly and Shipt, already deliver in the state. But “current law does not address orders […]

Jim Rosica
Family members appear behind a pile of debris outside their home in Steinhatchee, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 storm Thursday night. (Ashleigh Lucas/WUFT News)

Gambling lobbyist to No Casinos head: You’re a ‘bully’

Constitutional review panel’s ‘style’ committee wraps up work

No Casinos: With Tribe’s decision, no need for Special Session on gambling

Rick Scott, Cabinet appeal voting rights ruling

All in: Seminole Tribe says it will keep paying state

Seminole Tribe’s lawyer says same old gambling proposals ‘won’t fly’

Mike Fernandez, others oppose Florida ‘E-Verify’ system

No Casinos on Special Session for gambling: Don’t do it

Medical marijuana provider Trulieve sues state over store limits

Rick Scott signs 18 bills, including booze delivery; vetoes one