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

Jim RosicaOctober 10, 2017

Democrats and Republicans from both sides of the Capitol rotunda came together Tuesday to back Sen. Dana Young‘s latest try to ban fracking in Florida. Also known as hydraulic fracturing, the drilling technique involves shooting water and chemicals deep underground, breaking up rock to get at oil and natural gas that’s unreachable by conventional drilling. “Advocates […]

Jim RosicaOctober 10, 2017

A House investigative panel Tuesday found that Miami-Dade Rep. Daisy Baez likely broke member residency rules. The Select Committee on Member Conduct decided to refer Baez’s case to the Public Integrity and Ethics Committee for the equivalent of a trial. A finding of “probable cause,” required for further proceedings, means it is more likely than not that a violation […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2017

A Senate panel on Monday cleared a ‘water bill’ aimed at cleaning up some of the state’s waterways. The Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee OK’d the measure (SB 204) with a unanimous vote. Legislative committees are meeting in the Capitol this week, in advance of the 2018 Legislative Session that starts in January. The bill, by […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2017

A newly-formed Miami-Dade company is seeking an OK from state regulators to install what it calls “self-checkout micro marts” with beer and wine. Or, as one regulated industries lobbyist privately put it, “Hey, booze from vending machines? What could go wrong?” Nothing, the company suggests. La Galere Markets of Coral Gables, which filed articles of […]

Jim RosicaOctober 4, 2017

A Constitution Revision Commission committee on Wednesday began considering whether to change Florida’s primary election system, including buttoning up what’s known as the “write-in loophole.” That allows a write-in candidate to close a primary. The commission’s Ethics and Elections Committee heard from advocates and some of the state’s elections supervisors, but took no action. Here’s how […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2017

Rep. Jason Brodeur has again filed legislation to exempt fantasy sports play from state gambling regulation. The Sanford Republican filed his measure (HB 223) Tuesday. It comes less than a week after Sen. Dana Young filed her own fantasy sports bill (SB 374) for the 2018 Legislative Session. Brodeur had filed a similar bill last session. His latest bill says fantasy […]

Jim RosicaOctober 3, 2017

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Legislation filed in the Florida House would add violence against an individual based on “gender or gender identity” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joseph Geller, an Aventura Democrat, filed the bill (HB 211) Tuesday. “Florida has recently seen an increase in hate-crimes, from 73 committed in 2014 to 102 in 2015,” according to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 2, 2017

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on Monday moved forward on two public proposals to amend the state’s governing document: One to close the “write-in loophole,” and another to repeal a provision on high speed rail. The next chance for commissioners to directly sponsor public proposals will be on Oct. 17, during another meeting of the full Commission. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 2, 2017

A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at limiting gambling’s expansion in the state now has more than 600,000 signatures, its backers said Monday. Voters in Charge, the political committee behind the amendment, said it’s “over halfway towards its goal of gathering 1.1 million signatures in order to reach the required number of 766,200 valid petitions to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 29, 2017

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A man who formerly supervised teens in the Florida House of Representatives’ page and messenger program was convicted Friday on an attempted underage-sex charge. Michael A. Chmielewski, 38, was found guilty on one count of “attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity” by a federal jury in Tallahassee, court records show. He […]

Jim Rosica
Image via AP.

Dana Young will try for fracking ban again

Daisy Baez residency investigation moves to trial

‘Water bills’ already on the move in the Senate

Beer, wine from vending machines? Fla. company says ‘yes’

Constitution review panel could tackle ‘write-in loophole’

Jason Brodeur files ‘fantasy sports’ bill for 2018

Bill would add ‘gender identity’ to hate crimes

Constitutional panel moves two public proposals

Gambling amendment now has 600K signatures

Former House page supervisor convicted on attempted sex charge