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

Jim RosicaNovember 7, 2017

An attorney for Gov. Rick Scott has filed a public records request with the state Supreme Court over last week’s ambiguous “hot mic” conversation between Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Justice Barbara Pariente. But Scott stopped short Tuesday of saying whether he will ask the two justices to recuse themselves from further involvement in a case over […]

Jim RosicaNovember 7, 2017

There were no Jolly Rogers or parrots in the Capitol Tuesday, but two lawmakers are seeking to put what they call a predatory boating-assistance practice in Davy Jones’ locker. Sen. Dana Young and Rep. Shawn Harrison, both Tampa Republicans, held a press conference on legislation they’re sponsoring (SB 664, HB 469) to combat “modern-day piracy,” they said. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 6, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala on Monday asked to be relieved of his chairmanship of the chamber’s Appropriations Committee, a request that Senate President Joe Negron quickly obliged. Until further notice, Fleming Island Republican Rob Bradley is Senate budget chief. Bradley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “I understand that you are in the […]

Jim RosicaNovember 6, 2017

The state’s gambling regulators propose to delegate some of the policing of a contentious card game back to the casinos that offer them. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which oversees gambling, on Monday published proposed rules on “designated player” games offered at certain pari-mutuel facilities. The games have been the […]

Jim RosicaNovember 4, 2017

“Izzy Reyes is on there, he’ll listen to me.” That’s what Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga can be heard saying to Justice Barbara Pariente right after Wednesday’s oral argument in a lawsuit over the governor’s judicial appointments power. A lawyer named Israel U. Reyes is a member of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). The […]

Jim RosicaNovember 4, 2017

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has appointed state Rep. Neil Combee as Florida State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), the department announced in a news release Friday night. Combee could not be reached late Friday. (Update: He later told the News Chief he will resign his House District […]

Jim RosicaNovember 3, 2017

Rebecca Kapusta, general counsel for the Department of Children and Families (DCF), will next serve as the agency’s new Assistant Secretary for Operations, a DCF spokesman said Friday. Kapusta, who’s been with the agency for more than a decade, replaces Vicki Abrams. She’s retiring after 30-plus years with the department and “a nearly 35-year career dedicated […]

Jim RosicaNovember 2, 2017

The Florida Lottery and the House of Representatives have told an appellate court they’re “on a pathway to resolution” regarding a pending lawsuit over the agency’s $700 million contract for new equipment. But the settlement in question may require legislative approval, a filing in the case now suggests. The parties filed a status report with the 1st […]

Jim RosicaNovember 2, 2017

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After 22 years, Eric Draper is going to work for The Man. Draper, the executive director for Audubon Florida, will become the next director of the Florida State Parks system. News of the hire was made public on Thursday. Draper’s first day is Nov. 28. He replaces Lisa Edgar, who quit in February after less than […]

Jim RosicaNovember 2, 2017

A testy Sen. Jack Latvala, Republican candidate for governor, had earlier turned questions about sexual harassment in the Senate to his advantage, saying the Legislature needs wholesale ethics reform. “An entire package of ethics reforms is probably overdue,” he told the crowd at Thursday’s Associated Press pre-Legislative Session planning meeting. Latvala also said that former […]

Jim Rosica
Image via X (Duke Energy).

Rick Scott won’t say if he’ll seek recusals over Supreme Court ‘hot mic’ incident

Dana Young, Shawn Harrison fight ‘modern-day piracy’

Jack Latvala out as Senate Appropriations chair, Rob Bradley in

State proposes rule changes on controversial card games

Supreme Court justices caught on ‘hot mic’—but about what?

Personnel note: Neil Combee tapped for USDA job

Personnel note: Rebecca Kapusta made ass’t secretary at DCF

Lottery, House close to settling suit over $700M contract

Personnel note: Eric Draper to become new state parks director

Jack Latvala says legislative ethics reform is ‘overdue’