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

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2017

Daniel Sohn, a Democratic candidate for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018, announced on his Facebook page Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the race. Sohn, district aide to Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Pat Edmonson, confirmed the post in a phone call. “There are some serious reoccurring health issues that need my immediate […]

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2017

Both citing a “lack of transparency,” the heads of the League of Women Voters of Florida and the First Amendment Foundation are calling for Gov. Rick Scott to veto the just-passed state budget for 2017-18. But with the House of Representatives passing the budget 98-14 and the Senate approving 34-4 on Monday, there are enough […]

Jim RosicaMay 9, 2017

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A day after the end of the 2017 Legislative Session, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum on Monday called on state lawmakers to pass a bill “strengthening insurance protections for those with pre-existing conditions.” Gillum, the sitting mayor of Tallahassee, appeared at the Florida Press Center with two local women who told of their family members’ […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

In comments more about family than policy, two House members said farewell to their colleagues Monday. Jose Felix Diaz, a Miami-Dade Republican, could become the next U.S. Attorney, or top federal prosecutor, for South Florida. Barring that, he has said he’ll run for the now-open state Senate seat vacated by Frank Artiles. And Eric Eisnaugle, […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz blasted legislative leadership’s treatment of the University of South Florida, saying the school’s achievement of state “pre-eminent” status was snatched away from it at the last moment. Language in an education conforming bill late last Friday was changed, preventing USF from pre-eminence, a status that would have qualified it for millions of […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

Eric Eisnaugle is leaving the House for the bench. Gov. Rick Scott on Monday announced he had appointed Eisnaugle, currently a Republican state representative, to replace former Judge C. Alan Lawson on the 5th District Court of Appeal. Lawson now is a Florida Supreme Court justice. Eisnaugle, 40, of Windermere, has represented House District 44 since […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members voted Monday in favor of a budget conference committee report that keeps the state’s Agency for State Technology. The measure passed on a vote of 109-2. The House had earlier angled for a major overhaul, even doing away with the agency, but agreed to keep it intact during budget negotiations. The agency came […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members on Monday approved a measure dealing with VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida funding on a 74-34 vote. If vetoed, however, the “conforming bill” would need 80 votes to overcome Gov. Rick Scott‘s red pen. Both chambers have begun discussing the 2017-18 state budget, which wasn’t completed on time to finish the 2017 Legislative Session last Friday. […]

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2017

The Senate blinked in a fight over a standard of evidence, sending a fix to the state’s “stand your ground” law to Gov. Rick Scott. The House on Friday voted to “insist” that the Senate accept its amendment to Sen. Rob Bradley‘s bill (SB 128), which aims to streamline claims of self-defense. Last month, it OK’d the […]

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2017

A bill to allow craft distillers to sell more product directly to customers was passed by lawmakers Friday. The measure (HB 141) sailed through a 37-0 vote on the Senate floor, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott. Sen. Greg Steube on Thursday had substituted the House version for his bill. The measure would let distillers sell up to six […]

Jim Rosica
Image via AP.

Daniel Sohn withdraws from 2018 Agriculture Commissioner’s race

‘Lack of transparency’ causes calls for Rick Scott budget veto

Andrew Gillum calls for ‘strengthening’ Obamacare in Florida

Jose Felix Diaz, Eric Eisnaugle bid adieu to House

Janet Cruz blasts USF’s treatment in proposed budget

GOP Rep. Eric Eisnaugle appointed state appeals judge

Blaise Ingoglia: Agency for State Technology ‘is going to stay’

House OKs VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida funding cuts

Legislative fix to ‘Stand Your Ground’ law goes to Rick Scott

Craft distillery bill heads to Rick Scott