A.G. Gancarski
As the Jacksonville media digests and reports on Lenny Curry’s inaugural budget, most of us are struck by how positive the initial reaction to it has been, and so we write positive pieces.
WJXT had one such piece: “Police, fire leaders like mayor’s budget proposal.”
The story had positive comments from Randy Wyse and Sheriff Mike Williams, and Council President Greg Anderson.
City Council President Greg Anderson is just beginning to digest the spending plan, its biggest surprise was how early the budget was filed, since Curry had until Monday, when it will be formally presented, to provide the budget breakdown.
“The preliminary indications that I have are: 1) IT is balanced. — that is a great thing; 2) That it matches priorities of the community, which is public safety (and) infrastructure; And it maintains a lot of critical quality-of-life programs, as well,” Anderson said.
Anderson says there is no proposed tax increase since extra money is coming into the city because property values have increased, as well as sales tax revenues from the state.
“I sure am glad all are happy; however, this article is loaded with inaccuracies and falsies,” Mousa wrote in an email Thursday night.
“And Council President Anderson is furthermore confused — the law requires our budget be filed yesterday, the 15th. The budget address for many years would have been given on the same date. However, the Council years ago decided to begin taking a 2 week break in July, and passed laws to have the budget address on the Monday after their return from vacation. But the 15th submission date is still law,” Mousa said.
Often, people in government bristle against negative coverage. It is much rarer that they push back against positive stories.
Mousa did not itemize the “inaccuracies and falsies,” regrettably.
