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

Jim RosicaJanuary 22, 2018

Rep. Jared Moskowitz has filed legislation creating the “Retired Military Working Dogs Program.” “If enacted, the program would allow the Department of Military Affairs to contract with a not-for-profit to provide retired military working dogs with veterinary care,” according to a Monday news release. The Coral Springs Democrat filed the bill (HB 1253) earlier this month; it has been referred […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters announced on Saturday morning she was withdrawing her bid to join the Public Service Commission (PSC), citing the need to fight St. Pete’s plan to pump wastewater underground. Peters, a Treasure Island Republican, relayed her decision in an email. “I felt that my experience in business, local and state government, and as Chair of the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2018

A modified version of a constitutional ‘bill of rights’ for residents of Florida nursing homes and assisted living facilities won approval by its only review committee on Friday. The Declaration of Rights Committee approved the proposal (P88) by a vote of 5-2, sending it to the full Constitution Revision Commission for consideration. But the measure […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2018

A proposed constitutional amendment to give equal rights to crime victims on Friday cleared its only review panel and heads to the full Constitution Revision Commission. The amendment, if OK’d for the 2018 statewide ballot and passed by 60 percent of voters, includes the right “to refuse an interview, deposition, or other … request by the defense,” […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

The Senate on Wednesday began moving its omnibus gambling bill for 2018 without addressing one looming issue sure to cause headaches: Sports betting. And there’s a reason it’s not in this year’s legislation (SB 840), according to Sen. Travis Hutson, chair of the Regulated Industries Committee: To avoid a meltdown with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

A bill to ban all uses of steroids in racing dogs has cleared a key Senate panel. The Regulated Industries Committee, which generally gets first crack at gambling-related bills, OK’d the measure (SB 674) 7-2 on Wednesday. State regulations now allow use only of a “low-dose, non-performance enhancing” form of testosterone in greyhounds, and only as […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling’s expansion in the state now has enough signatures to be placed on the 2018 ballot. Division of Elections records show the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment now has 817,766 valid signatures—more than the 766,200 needed for placement. The total doesn’t count signatures still undergoing verification. The Division posted its […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

A Tallahassee judge now will consider whether life insurance companies are in the right over a 2016 law requiring them to track down beneficiaries. After hearing argument Wednesday, Circuit Judge Terry Lewis said he would rule on the companies’ motion for summary judgment “fairly soon.” Such motions allow parties to win a case without a trial. The […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

Two veteran prosecutors are among the six finalists that Gov. Rick Scott will choose from to fill an open judicial seat for the Tallahassee region. The Second Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), after interviewing 12 applicants Tuesday, now sends their list to Scott. He has 60 days to make a decision. The finalists, according to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2018

“Good Americans” should start “a Twitter war” with President Donald Trump over his comment that the U.S. shouldn’t admit people from Haiti and other “shithole countries,” former Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner said Friday. Joyner, now a member of the state’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), appeared at a press conference of legislative Democrats to express their outrage […]

Jim Rosica

Jared Moskowitz files bill to help retired military dogs

Kathleen Peters bows out of contention for PSC seat

Nursing home residents’ bill of rights wins approval

Crime victims’ bill of rights clears lone constitutional review panel

The big thing that’s not in the Senate’s gambling bill

Greyhound steroids ban moves in Senate

Gambling amendment wins enough signatures for ballot

Judge could give early win to companies over insurance law

Six finalists picked for open Tallahassee judgeship

It’s on: Former lawmaker declares ‘Twitter war’ on Trump