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

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

The House “whiskey & Wheaties” bill has limped out of another committee with a one-vote margin. And that was after its sponsor fixed a problem that could have cost the Department of Business and Professional Regulation more than $250,000 in lost liquor license revenue. The legislation (HB 81) cleared the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday by a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

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After the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill nearly whiffed in the House, a new twist was filed Monday evening. A proposed amendment on the bill (HB 81) would create dual “liquor package store licenses,” with “Type A” licenses going to stores keeping a wall of separation between booze and other retail items, and “Type B” licenses going […]

Jim RosicaMarch 13, 2017

Proponents of keeping Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA have been repeating the talking point that even Coca-Cola, king of market share, still advertises. And so on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott kept driving home his counter-frame to House Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s “corporate welfare” narrative that killing the state’s economic development organization and tourism marketing agency will kill […]

Jim RosicaMarch 13, 2017

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State Rep. Loranne Ausley on Monday announced her support for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democrat, as governor. “I have worked closely with Andrew since he was FAMU student body president, serving our community together from our respective roles in local and state government,” the Tallahassee Democrat said in a statement. “Andrew doesn’t just talk the talk; he […]

Jim RosicaMarch 13, 2017

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection on Friday night released its response to the House of Representatives’ request for documentation of the legal billing in a longstanding river water use fight against Georgia. Interim DEP Secretary Ryan Matthews also sent a letter, saying his agency had “denied more than $3 million in expenses and hourly charges submitted […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

A bill requiring the state Supreme Court to produce a yearly report on how many cases it’s finishing with opinions got the thumbs up from the Florida House on Friday. The legislation (HB 301), which has an identical companion in the Senate, was approved 78-37. The bill, by Republican state Rep. Frank White of Pensacola, would […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

The Enterprise Florida economic development organization and a multitude of business incentives would be eradicated under legislation passed by the Florida House Friday. The bill (HB 7005) passed on an 87-28 vote, with some members voting against their respective parties’ position, including 12 Republicans. The measure was pushed by Speaker Richard Corcoran, who has derided Enterprise Florida as a dispenser […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency, will be subject to greater oversight under a bill passed the Florida House Friday. State representatives passed the measure (HB 9), sponsored by Paul Renner of Palm Coast, by a vote of 80-35. Its reception in the Senate will likely not be warm: That chamber has not moved a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

The Florida House has approved extend the state’s lobbying ban on former lawmakers and statewide elected officers from two to six years. With no debate, House members on Friday voted 110-3 for the measure (HB 7003), a priority of House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The bill now heads to the Senate. If signed into law, the measure would […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

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State Rep. Jay Fant says he will not vote for a bill, backed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, that seeks to abolish the Enterprise Florida economic development organization. After Thursday’s floor session, he told FloridaPolitics.com he doesn’t “like going against leadership on a vote, and I stick with them on just about everything, but this […]

Jim Rosica
Pollsters find that both of Florida's hot-button constitutional amendments in 2024 are falling short. Image via WFSU.

House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill clears another panel — barely

Is House splitting the difference over the whiskey & Wheaties bill?

Rick Scott stumps for economic development, tourism dollars in Tallahassee

Loranne Ausley endorses Andrew Gillum for Florida governor

DEP responds to House records request, defends payment of legal bills

Supreme Court case reporting bill passed by House

House to Enterprise Florida: Drop dead

House approves bill to rein in VISIT FLORIDA

House passes 6-year lobbying ban on former lawmakers, others

Jay Fant is down on bill that would end Enterprise Florida