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

Jim RosicaJanuary 30, 2018

Penalties for welfare recipients who don’t “get with the program” would increase under a bill that cleared a House panel Tuesday. The measure (HB 751), filed by Cape Coral Republican Dane Eagle, was approved by the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee on a 12-1 vote, with only Rep. Shevrin Jones opposed. This is the third year the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 30, 2018

A key committee Tuesday moved along this year’s House gambling bill, but the fractures on the committee echoed those among the state’s gambling interests. The Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee OK’d the measure (PCB TGC 18-01) on a 9-6 vote, with Rockledge Republican Tom Goodson joining the panel’s five Democrats in voting ‘no.’ Committee chair Mike La Rosa said […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2018

What looks like a loss at first blush is a win for John Morgan in his legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. A Tallahassee judge on Friday granted the state’s motion to dismiss as to People United for Medical Marijuana, the association-plaintiff, saying it didn’t have the legal standing to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2018

The House on Friday dropped its 83-page omnibus gambling bill for 2018, which reads like a love letter to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and a poison pen missive to nearly all the other gambling interests in the state. Industry representatives privately admitted the legislation—overseen by Speaker-designate Jose Oliva—was a placeholder for the House to pass, […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2018

A Senate bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation cleared its last committee this week, making it available for the floor. But there are still big ‘if’s that could blow up the gambling exclusivity deal, known as the Seminole Compact, between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Here’s the staff analysis: […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

State government can’t count on continued money from Seminole Tribe of Florida casinos, a roundtable of state economists decided Thursday. After taking a pass on the issue earlier this month, the Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to label the money—over $200 million a year—”nonrecurring.” In other words, not likely to repeat. Lawmakers can still decide to count the expected funds […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

An attorney arguing to overturn Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana says if a constitutional amendment doesn’t say it can’t be smoked, then lawmakers and regulators can’t stand in the way of patients who want to. “If you’re the Legislature, why would you pick out smoking and say no? Because this (amendment) allows it,” attorney Jon Mills told […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 24, 2018

Let the spirit(s) flow: A Senate panel OK’d a measure to raise the amount of booze a Florida craft distillery can produce per year and still be considered “craft.” The bill (SB 296) by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes bumps that cap from 75,000 gallons to 250,000 gallons—a more than 233 percent increase. The distinction […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

The House panel charged with handling gambling issues unanimously OK’d a bill to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation. The House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee cleared the measure (HB 223) with little debate on Tuesday. One representative, Republican Randy Fine of Brevard County, voted for the bill despite his belief that fantasy sports play was […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran won’t give an over-under for chances of success for comprehensive gambling legislation this Session. When asked at a Tuesday press conference, the Land O’ Lakes Republican said: “It’s somewhere between 1 percent and 99 percent certainty.” The House has long been averse to proposals that could be seen as expanding gambling. […]

Jim Rosica
Marco Rubio and Mario Diaz-Balart in the Florida House. Image via Florida Memory.

Penalties would increase for welfare recipients under House bill

House panel clears gambling bill—with winners and losers

Judge allows medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case to go forward

House gambling bill to pari-mutuels: Drop dead

Despite Seminole concerns, fantasy sports bill ready in Senate

‘Risky money’: Gambling dollars unlikely to repeat, forecasters say

Fate of medical marijuana smoking ban now with judge

Craft distillers get early win in Senate

Fantasy sports bill moves along in House

Richard Corcoran: No predictions on gambling legislation this year