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

Jim RosicaMarch 19, 2018

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In a brief ‘exit interview’ last week with Florida Politics, outgoing Senate President Joe Negron said lawmakers over the last two Sessions “made tremendous progress” on goals he set out in his 2015 designation speech, “a blueprint of things I tried to accomplish.” Among those, beefing up higher education “with world class faculties,” addressing pollution […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

Talk about pre-emption. With Gov. Rick Scott speedily approving the 2018-19 state budget and issuing line-item vetoes just two days after it hit his desk, Florida TaxWatch was prevented from holding its signature event: The annual presentation of “Budget Turkeys.” “This historically, exceptionally fast turnaround time did not allow Florida TaxWatch to fully complete the meticulous […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

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Out of $64 million in budget vetoes issued Friday, Gov. Rick Scott killed $270,000 slated for the acquisition of the Florida Quilt Museum building in Trenton, the county seat of Gilchrist County. That gladdened Rep. Evan Jenne, a Dania Beach Democrat who inveighed against the money during debate on the state’s spending plan. “I am pleased to […]

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2018

The lawyer that successfully represented a pig farmer who sued over the state’s ‘pregnant pig’ constitutional amendment now says another proposed amendment to do away with greyhound racing is legally sound. Broad & Cassel attorney M. Stephen Turner, who represented Florida pig farmer Stephen Basford, wrote an opinion letter – provided to Florida Politics Thursday – […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2018

If passed, a proposed constitutional amendment to redirect dollars from tobacco-prevention efforts to cancer research would turn “a bad idea into a hard reality,” one opponent said Wednesday morning. Later that same day, however, the amendment’s sponsor deleted the section about cancer research funding. Longtime Tallahassee PR man Ron Sachs joined former Attorney General Bob Butterworth […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2018

In a surprise announcement Sunday from the dais of the Florida House, Gov. Rick Scott said he had appointed Republican Rep. Larry Metz as a circuit judge. Metz, a Yalaha Republican and 62-year-old lawyer in private practice, applied for a judgeship in the 5th Judicial Circuit, covering Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties. He’s term-limited in the House […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2018

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Tallahassee is devoted to certain traditions on “sine die,” the final day of the yearly Legislative Session, but it’s the not only state that has them. In Idaho, capital reporters wear ugly ties near session’s end to “encourage legislators to finish their business quickly and go home,” says a Legislative Research Librarians newsletter. In the Magnolia State, Mississippi State University […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2018

Just as it always does in recent years, a legislative effort to revisit the state’s gambling laws tanked in the last week of this year’s Legislative Session. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran released a joint statement Friday night: “Despite the good faith efforts of both the House and Senate, a gaming bill […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

[Ed. Note — This story, first posted Thursday, was updated Friday.] Lawmakers on Thursday included a provision to withhold more than $1.9 million in Department of Health salaries and benefits in the final 2018-19 state budget until regulators fully implement medical marijuana. The proviso language, which “qualifies or restricts a specific appropriation,” means certain Health officials will get […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

The Florida Legislature’s last best chance to pass comprehensive legislation on gambling came up a bad beat on Friday, with a conference committee calling it quits. Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran released a joint statement Friday night. “Despite the good faith efforts of both the House and Senate, a gaming bill […]

Jim Rosica

Joe Negron reflects on past, looks to future

Quick budget turnaround cuts TaxWatch off at the pass

No quilts for you: Rick Scott vetoes museum money

Greyhound racing ban passes legal muster, ‘pregnant pig’ lawyer says

Advocates rally to save Tobacco Free Florida funding

Rick Scott surprises Larry Metz: He’s a judge

Tallahassee not only capitol with ‘sine die’ traditions

Sunshine State gambling #fails: A short history (updated for 2018)

Legislature slashing Health Dep’t pay because of medical marijuana delays

Snake eyes: Gambling bill dies for 2018