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

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

A bill requiring a unanimous jury recommendation for a death sentence was unanimously cleared by a House panel Wednesday. The Criminal Justice Subcommittee OK’d the bill (HB 527) by Rep. Chris Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican. But the approval was after several public comments that the legislation didn’t go far enough to truly overhaul the state’s capital […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 14, 2017

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A federal case on the state’s new abortion law has taken another twist with a filing from Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office. Late Monday, her office notified the court of proposed rules related to the law that could affect Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle‘s consideration of a pending request for a preliminary injunction. The controversy in question involves part of the law […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 14, 2017

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The Florida Bar‘s governing board has decided to oppose legislation that would allow state lawmakers to override court decisions they don’t like. The Board of Governors adopted the stance at its Jan. 20 meeting, according to the Bar News on Tuesday. It also disapproved a companion measure aimed at federal judges who interpret state laws. State Rep. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 14, 2017

A new House panel on Tuesday moved two measures aimed at tightening ethics requirements at the local government level. The Public Integrity and Ethics Commitee, chaired by Yalaha Republican Larry Metz, OK’d proposals (PCB PIE 17-03, PCB PIE 17-04) that would increase local officials’ financial disclosure, clamp down on potential conflicts of interest and create a Local Government Lobbyist […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 13, 2017

State Sen. Greg Steube wants to add prosecutors and public defenders to the list of officials that the House of Representatives can impeach. The Sarasota Republican’s measure (SJR 904), filed Monday, would require a constitutional amendment that has to be passed by 60 percent of voters statewide. The state constitution now authorizes the House to impeach the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 13, 2017

A split appellate court panel has thrown out the molestation convictions of an Orlando-area man, saying he was the victim of “egregious prosecutorial misconduct.” In a 2-1 opinion, a three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal last week vacated Marco Antonio Rodriguez’s convictions and remanded the case back to the Orange County Circuit […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

Ken Lawson, the new head of VISIT FLORIDA, is telling supporters he won’t give up the fight for the state’s embattled tourism marketing agency. In an email, Lawson thanked the tourism industry for showing up to a House hearing this week where the Careers and Competition Subcommittee cleared a measure to eliminate the agency, the Enterprise Florida […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

Florida’s grapefruit crop held steady at nine million boxes, but its orange crop went down slightly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s February forecast. Thursday’s report projects a one million box reduction in the state’s orange crop to 70 million boxes. That’s after last month’s forecast also predicted a decrease. “Today’s forecast reflects a true utilization of […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

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A Senate bill to remove the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods won approval from a second committee, clearing it to be considered by the full Senate. The bill sparked an unexpected objection from National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer after an amendment came up banning liquor from being sold in the same […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

The Florida Senate and House have agreed to work together on a joint rule to avoid a “who blinks first” approach to this year’s budget negotiations. Sen. Jack Latvala, the Clearwater Republican who heads the Appropriations Committee, Thursday told the Rules Committee he was “pleased to report” House leaders had agreed to consider what’s known […]

Jim Rosica

Unanimous jury bill unanimously OK’d in House

Pam Bondi steps into federal case over state’s abortion law

Florida Bar will oppose legislative ‘override’ proposals

House panel takes on impeachment power, local government ethics reforms

Bill would let House impeach prosecutors, public defenders

Orange County molestation convictions overturned after prosecutorial misconduct

Ken Lawson “will continue to fight” for VISIT FLORIDA

More bad news as Florida orange crop drops again

“Whiskey and Wheaties” bill now cleared for Senate floor

House, Senate trying to avoid budget showdown over rules