Stay of execution for embattled Jacksonville TRUE Commission

Rumors of the Jacksonville TRUE Commission’s demise look to be false, after serious pushback in a Jacksonville City Council panel against a bill that would sunset the body in three years.

Councilman Tommy Hazouri has been unhappy with the Taxation, Revenue Utilization and Expenditures Committee for much of his term – and Hazouri filed a long-awaited bill to reduce the membership of the commission from 18 to 11 before the commission’s sunset in June 2020.

That bill took center stage in the Rules Committee Tuesday afternoon, before it was deferred.

In 2016, Hazouri – vexed over the TRUE Commission’s opposition to expanding the city’s Human Rights Ordinance – told Florida Politics that he didn’t see the point of the appointed body.

Hazouri noted the ongoing review of boards and commissions, started last year, with an eye toward history and effectiveness – with sunset being an option for bodies that have outlived their purpose.

Then, Hazouri pushed to defer the bill for two weeks, setting up some interpersonal conflict.

Councilman Danny Becton noted, by way of opposing deferral, that he had a substitute bill on hand from the TRUE Commission itself.

Hazouri, incensed, said Becton was “disrespectful” for pushing a substitute without consulting the bill sponsor.

“It’s about the history – the recent history,” Hazouri said.

Becton invited Hazouri and others to discuss the merits of the bill in the meeting.

Hazouri’s play got support from Councilman Greg Anderson, who wants to talk to the chair.

Councilman Scott Wilson likewise supported deferral, saying that it would be “difficult” for him to support on a number of grounds.

Council VP John Crescimbeni wanted time to review the substitute, noting that in light of the facts, deferral would be the best way to go.

Councilman Jim Love backed deferral: “the extra two weeks won’t make any difference.”

For his part, Rules Chair Garrett Dennis – a co-sponsor of the Hazouri bill – said he had a “change of heart” regarding the bill.

Deferral was approved via a show of hands.