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

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2017

A review panel has killed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have added financial oversight duties to the state’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The proposal (P68), filed by Commissioner Tom Lee, died on a tie vote in the Constitution Revision Commission‘s Executive Committee on Tuesday as some panel members raised fiscal and legal questions. A parliamentary […]

Jim RosicaNovember 27, 2017

Legislation that critics said would allow theme parks to “extort” advertising dollars from beer companies has been re-filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. The bills (HB 775, SB 822), filed by Republicans Rep. Mike La Rosa of St. Cloud and Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, generally would allow “cooperative” advertising in theme parks. Hutson, chair of […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2017

Former state Rep. Doug Holder will pay $6,500 in civil penalties to resolve an ethics complaint that he filed “inaccurate” financial disclosures in 2010-14. The Sarasota County Republican agreed to the settlement, which was disclosed by the Florida Commission on Ethics on Wednesday. The deal still must be approved by commissioners at their Dec. 8 […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2017

State Rep. Jay Fant, a Jacksonville Republican running for state Attorney General in 2018, says he will create a “Confidential Investigator and Ethics Officer” to deal with sexual harassment complaints if elected. Fant tweeted the plan on Wednesday. The new position would meet “confidentially” with those who claim harassment by a “public official.” Any information developed would be […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2017

Rep. Lori Berman, a Lantana Democrat, has turned in her resignation letter from the House of Representatives, but it won’t become effective till “11:59 p.m. on April 9.” Berman, first elected to the House in 2010, is running in the special election for Senate District 31 to succeed Democrat Jeff Clemens, who resigned after his […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2017

A top senator is leaving open the possibility that a proposed ban on ‘fracking’ in Florida will be considered in the 2018 Legislative Session. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican who recently was named chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also leads the chamber’s Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee. That’s the first committee of reference […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2017

State regulators have told a South Florida medical marijuana provider to quit selling “unapproved” vaping devices. The Department of Health‘s Office of Medical Marijuana Use sent a “cease and desist” letter Monday to Curaleaf of Miami. It also tells the company to stop “running unapproved advertisements encouraging (its) product to be used in a manner inconsistent” with […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2017

A medical marijuana provider is accusing the Department of Health of dragging its feet on allowing the company to once again sell ‘vaping’ devices. Trulieve this month filed a petition for declaratory statement with the department, which regulates medicinal cannabis through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use. In May, the department told Trulieve to stop selling wire-mesh […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is moving to remove Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente from a legal challenge to his judicial appointment power, saying she’s biased against him. Daniel Nordby, Scott’s general counsel, filed a motion for disqualification Monday. Scott’s decision follows Pariente “making disparaging remarks after the conclusion of the oral argument in this case on […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2017

The state’s Senate President and House Speaker could get an indirect say over judicial appointments—including state Supreme Court justices—under legislation filed Monday. The bill (HB 753), filed by Pensacola state Rep. Frank White—also a 2018 GOP candidate for attorney general—would allow the top Senate and House leaders to appoint people to judicial nominating commissions (JNCs), the […]

Jim Rosica
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

Tom Lee’s proposal to augment CFO duties dies in committee

Drinking, advertising—and ‘extortion’? Beer bill back for 2018

Doug Holder agrees to settle ethics case

Jay Fant says he’ll create new position to handle harassment

Lori Berman resigns from House—but not leaving till April

Rob Bradley offers glimmer of hope for fracking ban

State to medical marijuana company: Stop selling ‘vaping’ devices

Vape ’em if you got ’em, Trulieve says

Rick Scott moves to throw Barbara Pariente off judicial appointments case

Legislative leaders could get influence over judicial appointments