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

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

A recent ruling by a Tallahassee judge could result in Florida being inundated by a slot machine-style entertainment device in bars, arcades and even dog and horse tracks. It’s also not yet clear whether the decision could trigger a violation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s exclusivity rights in its gambling “compact” with the state. That […]

Jim RosicaMarch 19, 2017

A tax cut that’s a priority of Senate President Joe Negron is running into resistance from his fellow senators. Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami-Dade Republican and Negron’s right hand in the chamber, is running the bill (SB 378) to pay for a cut in the state’s tax on mobile phone, satellite and cable TV service by […]

Jim RosicaMarch 17, 2017

The Florida Senate’s bill to remove the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods is scheduled for the floor next week. The “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation (SB 106) is on the special order calendar for next Tuesday, according to the chamber’s website on Friday. Meantime, the House companion (HB 81) has been struggling, escaping […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2017

The Constitution Revision Commission has launched a website and announced an organizational meeting next Monday. The meeting will be 2-4 p.m. in the Capitol’s Senate chamber, with a brief agenda of “Welcoming Remarks, Oath of Office, Rules of the Commission, Ethics Briefing.” The panel, which convenes every 20 years, will review and suggest changes to the state’s […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2017

A bill that—as one beer-company insider put it—could allow theme parks to “extort” advertising dollars out of them cleared a Senate panel this week. The legislation (SB 388), which allows beer companies to advertise in theme parks, was OK’d unanimously by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee with scant attention. It chips away at the state’s “tied house evil” law […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2017

A law that requires someone with HIV to notify a potential sex partner beforehand applies to same-sex relationships as well as between a man and a woman, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously decided Thursday. The defendant, Gary Debaun, has been trying to have a charge dismissed under a 1986 state law designed to prevent the spread of the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2017

The Florida Senate has passed a change to the state’s “stand your ground” law that would make it easier for criminal defendants to claim self-defense. It was approved on a 23-15 vote during Wednesday’s floor session. Specifically, the bill would require prosecutors to prove “that a defendant is not immune from prosecution.” The bill (SB 128), […]

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2017

Members of local mosquito control districts are in Tallahassee Wednesday to ask lawmakers for $3.8 million in next year’s budget to fight the two-winged insects. The Florida Mosquito Control Association held a press conference in the Capitol to drum up support, appearing with state Rep. Matt Caldwell, chairman of the House Government Accountability Committee. The problem: The state’s […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

With VISIT FLORIDA chief Ken Lawson acting as hype man, Gov. Rick Scott held a Tuesday rally inside the Florida Capitol to “save” the embattled tourism organization. Scott, not normally a high-energy performer, worked up the crowd of hundreds in the building’s rotunda with the help of CFO Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. In the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

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Sterling Ivey, a veteran of state government communications, now has joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a communications coordinator. FDLE communications director Gretl Plessinger announced the move Tuesday. He’ll “serve as an FDLE spokesperson and will be responsible for coordinating news releases, interviews, news conferences and internal communications,” she said. Ivey, most recently […]

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

Rise of the (pre-reveal) machines: The coming battle in Florida gambling?

Senate tax cut proposal, as is, may be on the ropes

Senate’s ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill teed up for floor

Constitution Revision Commission to hold first meeting

Senate panel OKs beer bill — that beer companies hate

Florida Supreme Court rules sex is sex, no matter who’s doing it

Senate passes fix to ‘stand your ground’ law

Mosquito control boards seeking more money from state

Rick Scott rallies allies for VISIT FLORIDA

Personnel note: Sterling Ivey joins FDLE comm’s team