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

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran elbowed into a social media “spat” between Adam Putnam and Andrew Gillum about immigration, saying they’re both on the wrong side of the amnesty debate. “Ironic to see a dust up between these two on immigration, since they’ve both supported #amnesty for illegal immigrants. Call it amnesty or sanctuary cities, both defy […]

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2017

A proposal to exempt fantasy sports from state gambling regulation cleared a Senate committee Thursday—but with one notable opponent. “I don’t think the issues raised are clear,” said Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican and vice-chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, which handles gambling policy. Aside from Hukill’s ‘no’ vote, that committee otherwise moved […]

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2017

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In what is likely a dead-on-arrival proposal, two South Florida lawmakers said they will push for a legislatively-initiated state constitutional amendment approving Medicaid expansion in Florida. Sen. Annette Taddeo of Miami and Rep. Lori Berman of Lantana, both Democrats, announced their resolutions (SJR 1136 and HJR 911) at Thursday press conference in the Capitol. “The resolutions will put before the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

State Sen. Dana Young is defending her fantasy sports bill for 2018, saying the Seminole Tribe’s criticism of her measure and related legislation is “off point.” On Wednesday, the Tampa Republican referred to a February legal opinion by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell for DraftKings, a leading fantasy sports website. The day before, the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s top in-house lawyer told lawmakers this week that their fantasy sports bills are a dealbreaker. A $200 million dealbreaker. The Tribe now says fantasy sports bills filed for the 2018 Legislative Session, if passed, would violate the Seminole Compact. That’s the gambling agreement struck by the state and the Seminoles […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party now says Sen. Jack Latvala “must resign” in light of “the numerous allegations of sexual harassment against” him. The party released a statement Tuesday through its spokeswoman, Johanna Cervone. It follows calls from fellow GOP senators also calling for him to, or suggesting that he, step down from office. “Latvala’s behavior is […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

Miguel Rodriguez is only 24, but he already lost nearly a decade of his life to the criminal justice system. He attended a Tuesday press conference at the Capitol to argue for changes to the way Florida prosecutes juvenile offenders, including what’s known as the direct-file process, in which some minors are charged and handled in […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

An “educational display of the astronomy causing the winter solstice” is the first holiday display to gain approval this year for the Florida Capitol rotunda. A “triptych poster,” sponsored by the First Coast Freethought Society of Jacksonville, is approved for display Dec. 15-22. Nina Ashley, spokeswoman for the Department of Management Services, the state’s real […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott‘s top lawyer has – at least for now – turned down a request to appoint a special prosecutor from the attorney representing Rachel Perrin Rogers, a Senate staffer who has accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexual harassment. The reason: Scott doesn’t yet have “the legal authority” to appoint a prosecutor. “This morning, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2017

State Sen. Daphne Campbell has been appointed Chair of the Haitian Temporary Relief Task Force. The Miami Democrat, elected to the Senate last year after serving six years in the House, announced the appointment Monday. It was made by state Rep. Kionne McGhee, a Democrat who leads the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation. The task force is […]

Jim Rosica
Pollsters find that both of Florida's hot-button constitutional amendments in 2024 are falling short. Image via WFSU.

Richard Corcoran steps into sanctuary city ‘dust up’

Fantasy sports bill moves after one high-profile ‘no’ vote

Annette Taddeo, Lori Berman press for Medicaid expansion by ballot

Seminole Tribe criticism of fantasy sports is ‘off point,’ Dana Young says

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports

Florida Democratic Party: Jack Latvala ‘must resign’

Stop prosecuting kids as adults, advocates say

T’is the season: First Capitol holiday display approved

Request denied: Rick Scott won’t (yet) appoint special prosecutor in Jack Latvala case

Daphne Campbell appointed chair of Haitian Temporary Relief Task Force