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

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

When it comes to supporting the state’s hospitality industry, Carol Dover won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Despite the Florida House’s opposition to spending money on tourism marketing in the state budget, her Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is seeking $1 million to do just that. And the funding request is being sponsored by GOP state Rep. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

The organization responsible for writing the state’s bar examination is looking for two good lawyers. The Florida Board of Bar Examiners has two openings for attorney-members, it said in a Monday news release. Applicants have to be “practicing lawyers with scholarly attainments” and must have been a member of The Florida Bar for at least five years. Sorry, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2017

In what one lobbyist privately compared to “the bombing of Pearl Harbor,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran Friday dropped a blockbuster lawsuit on the Florida Lottery, which reports to Gov. Rick Scott, saying it was guilty of “wasteful and improper spending” for signing a $700 million deal for new equipment. The legal action caps off weeks of […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2017

Jason Allison, Florida’s Chief Information Officer, has told Gov. Rick Scott he is resigning. Allison’s letter, dated Monday, was released Friday by the Agency for State Technology, which Allison heads. News of his departure was exclusively in Friday’s edition of SUNBURN. “My years directing the Agency … and my prior service as your Technology Policy Coordinator […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2017

The Florida House of Representatives quietly released its gambling overhaul for 2017 Thursday afternoon, setting it for a hearing next Thursday. As expected, the 81-page bill (PCB TGC 17-01) includes a renewed blackjack deal, or “compact,” between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, as first struck by Gov. Rick Scott. No Casinos, the anti-gambling expansion […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

Republican lawmakers came to the defense of the state’s beleaguered affordable housing organization during a presentation of audit findings critical of the agency. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee formally heard the report Thursday; the audit of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. (FHFC), steward of both state and federal affordable housing money, was released in December. Lawmakers focused on lavish […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

In yet another rejection of a policy backed by conservative lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Supreme Court Thursday “declined” to change the state’s expert evidence rule to one used by federal courts and most states. “We decline to adopt the Daubert Amendment to the extent that it is procedural, due to the constitutional concerns raised, which must […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

Perry Thurston Jr., now a state senator, has won the latest round in a court battle over state matching funds for his failed 2014 bid for Attorney General. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach Wednesday reversed a decision by the state’s Division of Elections, under Gov. Rick […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

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House members served up a sour version of the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill Wednesday as it barely cleared its first committee. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee cleared the legislation (HB 81) by a vote of 8-7, with the panel’s chair, Monticello Republican Halsey Beshears, voting against it. This is the fourth year a version of […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

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Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and former Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith are among those tapped by current Senate President Joe Negron to sit on the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. Negron, a Stuart Republican, announced his list Wednesday in a press release. Gaetz, a Niceville Republican in the Senate 2006-16, and Smith, a Fort Lauderdale […]

Jim Rosica
Image via X (Duke Energy).

Carol Dover still fighting for tourism marketing money

Bar exam board seeking two lawyer members

Richard Corcoran sues Florida Lottery over ‘improper spending’

It’s official: Jason Allison resigns as state CIO to join Foley & Lardner

House gambling bill teed up for next week

GOP lawmakers defend Florida Housing Finance Corp.’s expenses

Supreme Court rejects evidence standard supported by Rick Scott, lawmakers

Appeals court rules for Perry Thurston in matching funds case

‘Whiskey and Wheaties’ bill squeaks out of House panel

Don Gaetz, Chris Smith among Joe Negron’s constitutional review panel picks