A.G. Gancarski
Though some locals may be less than thrilled with the Rick Scott budget vetoes Tuesday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is not among them.
Curry, in a conversation with FloridaPolitics.com Tuesday afternoon, said the city’s team “knocked it out of the park” with this year’s process, which had a “90 percent success rate” and was a “win by any stretch.”
Jacksonville got money for public safety, such as the COPS program, and infrastructure needs, asking for $2 million and getting $1.8 million.
“The city of Jacksonville hasn’t had tax money come back in six years,” Curry said.
Part of the reason, Curry said, was clear and consistent communication with members and leadership of both chambers, as well as the Governor … a process we have documented the past couple of months. Curry made frequent trips to Tallahassee and the city hired a serious and concerted professional lobbying effort, which paid off.
Curry noted that at his joint press conference with the Governor that Scott extolled their close working relationship.
“We’re aligned,” Curry said.
And the budget is Exhibit A.
Curry, along with Sen. Rob Bradley, can both count this Legislative Session as a win. Bradley went 12-0 with his requests this Session, and noted that it was a “great year for Clay County. All Clay priorities survived the veto pen.”
