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

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2017

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has reported a $2.5 million net worth for 2016, as part of his annual financial disclosure statement. Atwater, a former banker whose last day in office is Friday, filed his disclosure with the Florida Commission of Ethics earlier this week. He’s leaving to become chief financial officer for Florida Atlantic University […]

Jim RosicaJune 30, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-06-30-at-10.20.05-AM-e1498832608666.png

Former state Rep. and Public Service Commissioner Jimmy Patronis was sworn in Friday morning as the state’s fourth Chief Financial Officer. Patronis took the oath of office in the Governor’s office, given by Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, and standing next to wife Katie and sons Theo and Johnny. “Thank you for allowing me to partake […]

Jim RosicaJune 29, 2017

Florida-Approves-5-Nurseries-To-Grow-Medical-Marijuana-1024x1024.jpg

A Florida nursery that previously filed a protest over the Department of Health’s award of medical marijuana licenses is back in court this week. Tropiflora LLC of Sarasota is asking a judge to delay enforcement of part of the state’s new medical marijuana implementing bill, passed during the recent Special Session. The company filed a motion Monday in […]

Jim RosicaJune 29, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-06-29-at-9.58.40-AM-e1498745683175.png

Attorney and former state Rep. Phillip J. Brutus, the first Haitian-American elected to the Legislature, has been suspended from practicing law for one year, The Florida Bar announced Thursday. The suspension became effective June 3. Brutus, of Lauderdale Lakes, also will be on probation for two years after his reinstatement, according to a disciplinary order by the Florida […]

Jim RosicaJune 28, 2017

Five months after he quit a law firm job following concerns of conflicts of interest, Senate President Joe Negron has joined the Akerman firm’s West Palm Beach office. The firm announced the move Wednesday in a press release. Negron will be “of counsel,” an arrangement usually meaning an attorney works on a case-to-case basis and not […]

Jim RosicaJune 28, 2017

A dubious-sounding Florida Supreme Court shellacked Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala‘s lawyer during oral arguments Wednesday, questioning her prosecutorial “discretion” in not seeking the death penalty. “I don’t even see a gray area,” Justice R. Fred Lewis said. “It seems to me that ‘discretion’ is not to ignore Florida law.” Justice Barbara Pariente also raised concerns […]

Jim RosicaJune 27, 2017

Now that Jimmy Patronis is leaving the Public Service Commission and Constitution Revision Commission to become the state’s next Chief Financial Officer, Gov. Rick Scott has to replace him on those panels. The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council is charged with “screening and nominating applicants for appointment by the Governor to fill vacancies on the […]

Jim RosicaJune 27, 2017

Former Congresswoman and now Democratic candidate for governor Gwen Graham on Tuesday rapped the U.S. Senate’s proposed Obamacare replacement, saying “if you get quality health care, you can have a miracle.” Graham, speaking to reporters in the state Capitol, was referring to her husband’s recent cancer remission. Steve Hurm was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer […]

Jim RosicaJune 27, 2017

A House bill aimed at shaking up the state’s Agency for State Technology was vetoed Friday by Gov. Rick Scott. Sources earlier had told Florida Politics the measure (HB 5301), backed by state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, could fall under the Governor’s veto pen. It passed both chambers this Legislative Session with only 13 total votes against […]

Jim RosicaJune 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott responded Monday to a lawsuit brought by homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down by the state, saying his veto of reimbursements to homeowners was “consistent with his constitutional authority.” The homeowners have asked the Florida Supreme Court to undo Scott’s veto of more than $37 million. The Republican-controlled Legislature agreed […]

Jim Rosica
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

Outgoing CFO Jeff Atwater reports $2.5M net worth

Jimmy Patronis is sworn in as Chief Financial Officer

Tropiflora seeks holdup of new medical marijuana implementing bill

Former South Florida lawmaker suspended from practicing law

Joe Negron joins Akerman law firm as litigator

Court grills Aramis Ayala lawyer over avoidance of death penalty

Jimmy Patronis’ move to CFO creates PSC, CRC openings

Gwen Graham: ‘Health care is a right’

Rick Scott vetoes re-organization of state’s technology agency, a priority of Blaise Ingoglia

Rick Scott says citrus veto is constitutionally valid