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

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

The chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, who’s also a candidate for state Agriculture Commissioner, is slamming a proposed constitutional amendment. Denise Grimsley, a Lake Placid Republican, wrote a letter Thursday to Bill Schifino, head of the Constitution Revision Commission‘s Judicial Committee. The panel is considering a proposed amendment that has caused angst among business interests because […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

A GOP House member seemingly is taking a swipe at House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a fellow Republican, with a bill that bans sitting lawmakers and family members, including “siblings,” from working for lobbying firms. Corcoran’s brother Michael is a lobbyist. State Rep. Kathleen Peters of Treasure Island, who filed the bill (HB 1325), had been “ousted […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

Legislation to replace a statue of a Confederate general representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol is heading to the Senate floor. The bills (SB 472, SCR 184), which cleared their final committee Thursday, would replace the likeness of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith with educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. “Dr. Bethune received the unanimous vote of the members […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

A team of House Democrats Thursday rolled out a legislative package to combat the state’s opioid abuse epidemic. The bills included putting addiction warning labels on prescription bottles, charging a new court fee to help smaller counties deal with the problem, and an application to the feds for more money to expand treatment, among other […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2018

A key Senate panel said “beer me” on Wednesday, as it cleared legislation to allow ads for brewskis in Florida theme parks. The bill (SB 822), backed by GOP Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, won over the Regulated Industries Committee by a vote of 7-2. Republican Sens. Greg Steube of Sarasota and Dorothy Hukill of Port Orange voted […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2018

Calling it a “shot of adrenaline,” South Florida Sen. Annette Taddeo on Wednesday stumped for her bill to bring TV and film incentives back to the Sunshine State. Her measure (SB 1606) would create the “Florida Motion Picture Capital Corporation” to “encourage the use of this state as a site for scripted productions by providing financing to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2018

A state nominating panel has set Jan. 18 for picking the “most qualified” applicants to fill a vacancy on the Florida Public Service Commission. Then, on Jan. 25, the Public Service Commission Nominating Council will do interviews, and make a final selection. Gov. Rick Scott had picked former Rep. Ritch Workman to replace Ronald Brisé on the panel, which regulates […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

A panel that vets applicants for judgeships has set interviews to fill a vacancy on the 2nd Judicial Circuit in north Florida. The circuit’s Judicial Nominating Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Jan. 16, at the Leon County Court House Annex, 1920 Thomasville Road, Room 213, Tallahassee. Commissioners will interview the following applicants for the opening, created by the retirement of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

A roundtable of state economists Tuesday decided to take a pass on adopting a forecast for Indian gambling dollars that flow to the state. The Seminole Tribe of Florida pays over $200 million a year into state coffers as part of a deal that guarantees it exclusivity to offer certain games, especially blackjack. And even […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 9, 2018

It’s not uncommon for the House floor to look like a veritable florist’s shop on the first day of a legislative session. But now, Speaker Richard Corcoran is telling members to cool it on displays of blooms and topiary. The 2018 Legislative Session begins next Tuesday. “Only reasonably-sized floral arrangements and live plants will be […]

Jim Rosica
Image via OIC-SFL.

Denise Grimsley calls for opposition to constitutional amendment

Shot fired: Kathleen Peters gets in dig at Richard Corcoran

Rebel yell: Confederate statue bill moves to full Senate

On optimism and legislation: House Democrats push opioid package

King of … ads? Bill would OK beer promotion in theme parks

And … action! Annette Taddeo fights for film incentives

Regulate this: Panel moves on filling open PSC seat

Interviews set for open Tallahassee judgeship

All in—or out? Gambling revenue puzzles state economists

Richard Corcoran: ‘Reasonably-sized’ flowers only, please