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

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

The Florida House Thursday began its consideration of a bill to obliterate the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, castigated by Speaker Richard Corcoran as a dispenser of “corporate welfare.” The bill (HB 7005) also gets rid of a swarm of business incentive programs that sponsor Paul Renner said fail the return-on-investment test. (They are listed in the bill analysis.) Several […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

House Democrats on Thursday grilled the sponsor of a bill that would overhaul and clamp down on VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency. The full House began its consideration of the measure (HB 9) with questions to bill sponsor Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican. “It is simply a bill about accountability,” he said. […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

The forecast for Florida orange production has dropped again, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, down a whopping three million boxes. The March report, released Thursday, projects a reduction in the state’s orange crop to 67 million boxes. “Two million of that comes from the early and mid-season varieties, which are now fully harvested,” […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

As the House gets ready to start considering a bill to overhaul VISIT FLORIDA, its sponsor filed an amendment to dilute some of its strict requirements. The measure (HB 9) will be on the House floor today (Thursday) for questions. Rep. Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, filed the amendment Tuesday, records show. It would […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

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A Senate bill that would allow plaintiffs to recover prejudgment interest on noneconomic claims, including pain and suffering, was suddenly postponed during its final review panel Thursday. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, moved to yank the bill (SB 334) from consideration during its public comment period before the Rules Committee. When done during […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

A bill aimed at streamlining the handling of political redistricting court cases cleared its last committee Thursday. The legislation (SB 352) was OK’d by the Senate Rules Committee on a 7-3 party-line vote. It’s now ready for the full Senate. It also “encourages” courts “to follow certain procedures to maintain public oversight when drafting a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

A bill that would let voters fix mismatching signatures on their vote-by-mail ballots so they can be counted has cleared its second committee. The House Government Accountability Committee OK’d the bill (HB 105), carried by House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz of Tampa, by a unanimous vote on Thursday. It would require supervisors of elections and […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2017

The Excellence in Higher Education Act, a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron, has been set up for a vote by the full Senate. The bill (SB 2), carried by Bradenton Republican Bill Galvano, was discussed Wednesday on the floor. Achieving many of the bill’s goals, which could cost up to $161 million, depend on funding getting approved in […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2017

A lawyer for the widow of a Florida man “addict(ed) to cigarettes” asked the state Supreme Court Monday to reinstate her $30 million jury award for punitive damages. Tallahassee attorney John S. Mills, who represents Joan Schoeff, told the court the conduct of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.(RJR)—in selling a product they knew was killing 500,000 people a year—stopped just short […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2017

The president of Film Florida, the state’s nonprofit “entertainment production association,” says her group is taking a “step back” from fighting for film and TV show incentives this year. “For the first time since 2004, Florida does not have a statewide program to entice film, television and digital media projects and companies to our state,” […]

Jim Rosica

House looks at bill to kill Enterprise Florida

House begins looking at VISIT FLORIDA overhaul

Orange, grapefruit crop forecasts take another hit

Sponsor proposes changes to VISIT FLORIDA bill

Senate Rules panel temporarily postpones prejudgment interest bill

Senate redistricting bill clears last review panel

Vote-by-mail ballots fix clears last committee

Senate considers Joe Negron’s higher education legislation

Smoker’s widow fights for multimillion-dollar jury award

Film Florida gives up the fight for incentives this year