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

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2018

A Democratic state Senator from South Florida has filed legislation expressly allowing dog trainers to give anabolic steroids to racing greyhounds. The bill (SB 1774), filed Friday afternoon by Kevin Rader of Delray Beach, is for the 2018 Legislative Session that begins Tuesday. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 tracks. The measure […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 4, 2018

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Rich Glorioso, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who served in the House 2004-12, has again thrown in his hat to be considered for a seat on the Florida Public Service Commission. Glorioso’s was one of two initial applications for a vacancy created by the withdrawal of former Rep. Ritch Workman. The applications were released Wednesday by the Public […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2018

A north Florida lawmaker has filed legislation to again allow Gadsden County to hold a “countywide referendum” on authorizing slot machine gambling at a local race track. Rep. Ramon Alexander, a Democrat who represents Gadsden and part of Leon County, filed the bill (HB 1111) Tuesday for the 2018 Legislative Session starting next week. But […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 2, 2018

Attorneys for the Florida Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran have confirmed a tentative end to their fight over a multi-million dollar agency contract, saying in a Tuesday court filing they’re officially on a “pathway to resolution.” The sides filed a status report in the case, now with the 1st District Court of Appeal, asking that the lawsuit stay […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 1, 2018

Four bills passed during the 2017 Legislative Session go into effect on the first day of the new year. HB 435: This bill updates the Office of Financial Regulation’s regulatory procedures and requirements for international financial institutions. SB 590: This bill authorizes the Florida Department of Revenue to establish parenting time plans agreed to by both […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

Flags will be flown at half-staff next Tuesday to honor the late state Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. Hahnfeldt, first elected last year to represent House District 33, died on Christmas Eve. The district includes Sumter County and parts of Lake and Marion counties. Scott ordered the U.S. and state flags to be […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

Calling it an “immediate danger” that needs “emergency action,” gambling regulators this week filed a temporary rule to allow them to keep testing racing greyhounds for drugs. The moves comes after an administrative law judge struck down the testing program, saying it was “invalid.” The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which regulates gambling in Florida, also asked Judge […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

State regulators this week rejected a request to install high-tech beer and wine vending machines in South Florida, a proposal opposed by lawmakers and industry groups. A Miami-Dade company had sought an OK from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) to offer what it calls “self-checkout micro marts” with wine and beer. The day after Christmas, however, ABT director […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

When it comes to applying for a judgeship, the third time could be a charm for Alan Abramowitz. Abramowitz, executive director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Office, is one of 12 applicants for a Tallahassee-area circuit judge seat opening because of the retirement of Charles A. Francis. Abramowitz has applied to become a judge […]

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2017

Partly because they came late to the court this year, some high-profile cases before the Florida Supreme Court will remain unresolved by the close of 2017. As of this writing, the court’s weekly opinion release was going to be on holiday hiatus until Jan. 11, though “out-of-calendar releases” are still possible, a spokesman said. Here are a few of those pending […]

Jim Rosica

Kevin Rader files bill to legalize steroids in racing dogs

Former Rep. Rich Glorioso re-applies for PSC seat

Bill would pave way for slot machines in north Florida

Lottery lawsuit on ‘pathway to resolution,’ new filing says

Handful of new laws go into effect Jan. 1

Flags ordered at half-staff for Don Hahnfeldt

A ‘Red Bull rule’? State strikes back on drugs in race dogs

State just says ‘no’ to booze from vending machines

Open Tallahassee judgeship gets a dozen applicants

High-profile Florida Supreme Court cases still hanging fire at year’s end