Jacksonville Bold for 4.2.25: DOGE swoops in

Jacksonville Bold for 4.2.25: DOGE swoops in

Faculty and staff at the University of North Florida and other state schools are getting new marching orders from Gov. Ron DeSantis to start the week, courtesy of the state equivalent to Elon Musk’s federal Department of Governmental Efficiency.

The executive-level “DOGE” team mailed letters to University Presidents and Trustee Chairs last week to inform them of what’s happening in the coming weeks. UNF teachers learned of the communication on their faculty portal on Monday.

In addition to DOGE swooping in for “site visits” to judge compliance with the Executive Order that began the state-level effort, the team will be “assessing your publicly available information over the coming weeks and months” and “will partner with the Board of Governors and Florida College System to request additional necessary information from each institution.”

This includes institutional budgets and sub-funds, the “structure, staffing, budgets and functions of administrative offices and administrator roles,” facility usage reports, course codes, descriptions, and syllabuses, “full detail of all centers established on campus,” and the “closure and dissolution of DEI programs and activities, as required by law.”

Presidents are expected to appoint proxies and provide contact information to “the EOG DOGE Team at [email protected] no later than April 2, 2025.”

That contact will be the main line of communication with DOGE.

“This preferred contact will receive the memorandum and all associated submission details, as well as future communications. Please note that this contact will be the sole individual at your institution with the authority to access the portal, including uploading any required documentation.”

The Governor’s Office contextualized the letter in response to a Monday morning inquiry.

“The letter clearly lays out the expectations of the colleges and universities. We expect timely and complete responses and look forward to working with our partners in higher education to eliminate waste and eradicate DEI,” said spokesperson Bryan Griffin.

Elsbury to PBS

A former mayoral chief of staff is one of two lobbyists attached to the Public Broadcasting System, which is under fire from President Donald Trump.

Jordan Elsbury, the local principal for Ballard Partners, is one of two lobbyists of record effective Feb. 19.

The other is Brian Ballard himself.

They are charged with “advocacy related to funding/DOGE,” according to the Lobbying Registration form.

Ballard and Company were strong fundraisers for Trump in the last three cycles, but according to this tweet, they will be dealing with some resistance from the Oval Office.

Ladies first

A Congresswoman representing Baker County and points south and west leads the Republican Women’s Caucus.

Rep. Kat Cammack is leading the initiative: “The caucus’s goal will be to ‘champion GOP women members’ legislative priorities,’ ‘’support GOP women in a variety of endeavors on the national stage,’ and ‘push for representation in leadership positions,’ according to the invitation.”

Trump hosted the new group at the White House last week.

“American issues are women’s issues, and this caucus solidifies the president and Republicans’ commitment to all Americans from all walks of life,” Cammack said, per Fox News Digital.

Boxing Day

St. Johns County was the scene for Attorney General James Uthmeier teaming up with Sheriff Rob Hardwick to recognize “great sacrifice” in law enforcement. But this time, it wasn’t the police officers being honored.

Uthmeier recognized a victim who turned tragedy into an opportunity to help people at their lowest points.

Widow Kirsten Bridegan “found in herself to put together a really creative idea,” Uthmeier said.

That idea: “Bexley’s boxes,” containing toys and sippy cups for children dealing with law enforcement under trying circumstances, like Kirsten’s daughter Bexley was when her father Jared Bridegan was shot.

“Three years ago, we lost the man who meant the most to us, and our lives felt a little chaotic,” Kirsten Bridegan said.

She hopes the boxes are “therapeutic” for those children facing unimaginable tragedy.

“My kids know way too many police officers,” she added. “But hopefully that will scare them into being good people growing up.”

Jared Bridegan was ambushed while then-2-year-old Bexley watched from her car seat. She was taken to a police station with no diapers or a sippy cup. These boxes emerged from that tragedy.

Uthmeier vows that all 67 counties will have them soon enough.

Tweet, tweet:

Bradley boom

Sen. Jenn Bradley keeps scoring wins in Tallahassee.

Here are a couple of examples.

The Senate has passed the Committee version of legislation (SB 296) that would overturn a 2023 law requiring high schools and middle schools to start later.

The 2023 law didn’t take effect immediately, giving schools until 2026 to comply. With the deadline closing in, school leaders realized the mandate meant elementary students might wait for the bus in the dark, while districts faced bus and bus driver shortages and other problems.

The 2023 law mandated that middle schools could not start before 8 a.m. and high schools could start at 8:30 a.m. at the earliest.

“This very well-intentioned law sought to ensure … our students were rested,” said Bradley. “School districts have begun their analysis of the impact on these required start times for the 2026 school year and the feedback is overwhelming. The mandate would present incredible challenges, financially and otherwise.”

To comply with the new legislation, schools must remind the public about the importance of sleep and at least consider starting later. The schools must document their efforts in a report to the Florida Department of Education.

But wait, there’s more.

After years of failed attempts, it took Senators mere minutes to pass her monumental bill to repeal a unique restriction that today blocks some exonerees from receiving just compensation for time wrongly spent in prison.

Senators voted 38-0 to pass SB 130 to repeal Florida’s “clean hands” rule, which bars exonerees with more than one nonviolent felony from being eligible for recompense without legislative action.

Bradley noted that since state lawmakers created a compensation route for exonerees, just five have received it. Eighteen have been denied, totaling more than 300 years of lost liberty.

Six have waited for a decade or more.

Bad teacher

Sen. Clay Yarborough’s proposal for new requirements on teachers accused of crimes and the school districts has cleared the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, leaving one stop before the floor.

“I wish we did not have to take up this bill, but due to some circumstances that we have had out there, this is very important for us to do,” the Duval County Republican said.

SB 1374 would impose reporting requirements and mandate the removal of teachers accused of various crimes detailed in Florida Statute, including grooming behaviors.

Teachers and administrators must self-report the accusations within 48 hours of arrest. And report convictions and rulings for any offense except a minor traffic violation within the same time frame.

Districts must remove the teachers from classrooms within 24 hours of the notification.

Yarborough was inspired to file this bill by a series of incidents in his native Jacksonville, where several teachers at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts flouted laws and community standards.

Bill chill

Speaking of Yarborough, his bill addressing local diversity, equity, and inclusion rules was postponed temporarily in Tuesday’s Judiciary Committee.

He chairs that Committee and is unsure if the bill will make it to the Senate floor, given that was the panel’s final meeting.

“Senate Judiciary had its final meeting yesterday. I’m unsure whether it has a path this Session, but anything is still possible before Sine Die,” he said Wednesday morning.

Yarborough said it won’t be in its current form if it does advance.

“I appreciate all of the individuals who have offered input. If it continues to move forward, I anticipate amendments that will put it in a better posture,” he said, noting that one amendment that was to be heard in Committee before the postponement would have allowed for “recognition of observances, etc., if the same are recognized by federal and state governments.

As written, SB 420 would block local governments from passing DEI initiatives and make ones already in law illegal. It will also create a cause of action for citizens to file civil suits against local governments if they feel discriminated against by DEI laws. It also holds that legislators who vote for DEI legislation are guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance.

Judiciary was not the final Committee stop for the bill.

Rep. Dean Black sponsors the House companion, but his bid to destroy DEI has yet to be heard in its first of three Committee stops, suggesting it has no path there this Session.

Fire & desire

The dangers for firefighters don’t begin with their first call for service. Many of them are hurt in training.

And Republican Rep. Judson Sapp says they deserve benefits as well.

The Clay County Republican’s bill (HB 749), which the Budget Committee is moving forward with, would ensure that firefighters who are totally and permanently disabled still have insurance coverage for themselves and their families.

Ahead of the unanimous vote to advance it, Sapp said the bill “fixed a glaring hole” in Florida Statutes.

The bill has one House stop ahead in the State Affairs Committee before advancing to the floor.

A similar bill is also moving in the Senate.

SB 1202, sponsored by Stan McClain, is moving ahead as a Committee substitute from the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Gator Country

The plans for a new University of Florida Semiconductor Institute (FSI) in Jacksonville are starting to take shape.

On Friday, the University of Florida (UF) Board of Trustees was presented with details about the pending facility. The FSI is expected to be operational this Fall.

“The Florida Semiconductor Institute will be a huge asset for Jacksonville and an enormous boost for Florida’s economy, and having FSI in Jacksonville will be a huge asset for UF,” said Mori Hosseini, Chair of UF’s Board of Trustees.

UF’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering announced the establishment of FSI, a campus and statewide coordinating hub, in 2023, and its design is to provide intellectual and technological leadership for semiconductors in the 21st century.

While UF officials are excited about the expansion of their institution into downtown Jacksonville, the feeling among city leaders is reciprocal.

“The Florida Semiconductor Institute is a game-changer for Jacksonville’s economy,” Mayor Donna Deegan said. “It will accelerate our efforts to create good-paying, cutting-edge jobs and develop a workforce that is prepared for industries of the future. The focus on national security research will complement our large military presence and the companies that support that important work. We look forward to this exciting partnership with UF.”

David Norton, UF’s vice president for Research, said the FSI facility will allow for the more significant growth of university functions in Jacksonville.

“The creation of an FSI footprint in Jacksonville will serve as a significant catalyst for future economic growth in Florida’s R&D (research and development) sector, something that is vital to ensuring prosperity for Florida’s future,” Norton said.

The state has appropriated $35 million for research operations, bringing total funding for the project to $80 million.

Cleanup crew

Groundwork Jacksonville will offer an opportunity to make the natural environment more beautiful on April 5.

“Join the Sierra Club in partnership with Groundwork Jacksonville as we work to preserve the natural beauty and health of our local environment by cleaning up and maintaining the S-line, Jacksonville’s first dedicated urban trail,” reads the event invite for the April 5 event.

While organizers will “supply trash grabbers and bags,” volunteers will want to “bring gloves and water” and “wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and a hat.”

Minors will need to be accompanied by adults.

The meetup will be at 9 a.m. at the JVille Crab Shack in the Norwood Shopping Center.

Hit up [email protected] if you want to know more.

Jax Jobless Jump

Florida’s unemployment rate ticked up in February for the second month in a row, coming in at 3.6%, according to FloridaCommerce.

That comes on top of the first state jobless rate increase in about half a year, when the rate was posted at 3.5% in January. Before January, it had been about a half-year since the last increase in the state’s jobless figure.

FloridaCommerce released the February unemployment rate and found the 3.6% rate was not only an increase in the month-over-month comparison, which was 3.5% in January, but it was also a jump from February 2024, when the figure was 3.2%. That figure held steady for much of the early part of 2024, but it went up only slightly to 3.3% for much of the first half of last year, eventually rising to 3.4% for the back half of 2024.

“There were 398,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 11,196,000. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1% in February,” FloridaCommerce officials said in a press release.

Jacksonville recorded a 3.8% jobless rate in February. That’s a notable 0.5% increase from the February 2024 rate of 3.3%. However, February’s figure was the same as January’s.

Howdy Partner

LSN Partners, a government consulting firm with offices already in South Florida, Tallahassee and Washington D.C., is adding a partner from Northeast Florida.

Alexia Bean was added as a partner in the firm. She’s based in Fernandina Beach, and she’ll work for LSN Partners in the Republican Governors practice and enhance LSN’s presence in aerospace and defense.

Bean was in government affairs for aerospace giant Northrop Grumman and served in government affairs for that company. She also worked in the Florida Department of Management Services as Director of Legislative Affairs and held a similar role as Deputy Legislative Affairs Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

“Alexia’s experience in the public and private sectors, particularly in defense and state-level government affairs, will bring significant value to our clients and firm,” said Alex Heckler, Managing Partner and Founder of LSN Partners.

Long goodbye

Florida Blue and GuideWell CEO Pat Geraghty announced this week that he will leave his position effective on New Year’s Eve.

“Being entrusted with the leadership of GuideWell/Florida Blue has been the highlight of my career,” said Geraghty. “I treasure having had the opportunity to reshape a traditional insurance company into a health solutions enterprise with the consumer as the focus and with wellness, care support, and quality of care for our members as integral to our mission of ‘helping people and communities achieve better health.’ With a highly engaged board and deeply caring, dedicated teammates, we have been on a mission to meet our customers and members where they are and provide new, innovative ways to enhance their health journey.”

His replacement hasn’t been named yet, but he expects to “hand off the leadership mantle” later this year.

Russell Reynolds Associates will evaluate internal and external candidates.

Fountain dries up

The Friendship Fountain on the Southbank of downtown Jacksonville will be friendless for a little while.

The cultural gathering point, with sprouting water during the day and multicolored lights at night, will be muted for a few days. The city shut down Friendship Fountain on Tuesday for routine maintenance. The closure will last two weeks, and will remain closed until at least April 14.

“This is essential to ensure the continued functionality and preservation of this community landmark,” a press release from Mayor Donna Deegan’s office said.

An official reopening date will be announced.

Electrifying competition

Some of the hardest-working JEA employees were honored for their competition in the 23rd annual Public Power Lineworkers Association Rodeo in Roseville, California.

The competition took place March 28 and 29, and JEA apprentice Ryan Kornegay took first place in the Overall Apprentice competition. Meanwhile, David Hicken, Caleb Macabitas, and Cody Stokes came in second in the Overall Journeyman Team category and third in the Double Dead End Bell Change Out and Hurtman Rescue events.

Kornegay placed first in Sidewalk Guy Installation and second in Lightning Arrester Jumper Replacement. Apprentice Noah Sapp won second place in Sidewalk Guy Installation and the Obstacle Course events and first place in Lightning Arrester Jumper Replacement. Additionally, Hunter Thomas received third place in the Hurtman Rescue event.

The competition involved 52 community-owned utilities from across the country. The rodeo and awards will honor the professionals working in utility practices daily.

Positive offseason signs

For the first time since the NFL combine in February, the Jaguars’ new head coach spoke to reporters at the NFL Owners meeting, expressing his excitement about Liam Coen’s latest roster additions.

Coen was animated in his analysis of the addition of four offensive linemen signed in free agency, a clear sign of how the team’s new leadership felt about the existing front five.

In free agency, the Jaguars signed guard Patrick Mekari, who is expected to start at right guard, replacing the departed Brandon Scherff. The team also signed former Buccaneers’ center Robert Hainsey, who worked with Coen in Tampa. He is expected to start at center after Mitch Morse retired.

Tackles Chuma Edoga and Fred Johnson could also push incumbents Walker Little and Anton Harrison for starting jobs.

“These guys love to play the game,” Coen said. “They love what it’s about to be an O-lineman. That’s kind of who they are at the core. Hainsey has been in the system. So now you have two O-linemen that have been in your system. Now, some version of it with Luke Fortner and now Hainsey, that’ll help spread out to a lot of our players. They’ll be able to understand the system a little bit quicker. Coaches, it’s going to help from so many different ways.”

With the NFL draft approaching later this month, Coen and new general manager James Gladstone are working to prepare for their first draft together.

“We’ve spent almost every waking minute together throughout the last few weeks,” Coen said. “He breaks things down to such an elite level of simplicity for me because he’s a lot smarter than I am, and so he’s able to break down the draft, understand it as well as anybody I’ve heard had these conversations. We’ve got guys in buckets to where we’re trying to look for him, and he’s been able to map things out for me to be able to understand at a high level.”

Coen and Gladstone overlapped from 2018-2020 when both were with the Los Angeles Rams, but their time together since arriving in Jacksonville has been more intensive because of their new roles, and Coen was complementary to Gladstone’s draft preparation.

“We’ve really kind of started to put players in buckets,” Coen said. “Each round has two, so we’re able to have enough buckets there where it’s not too much, but we do have enough on the board now, also merging our players that were off their board in LA, that maybe we have to have conversations about here. It’s been so organized. He’s a coach’s kid, so he wants to do things that way, which I really appreciate.”

In addition to draft preparation, Coen must merge a staff that includes several key coaches filling specific roles for the first time. Just as Coen is a first-time head coach, his offensive coordinator, Grant Udinski, and defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanille, are leading those units for the first time.

So far, Coen said he has been impressed by what he has seen.

“I went and sat in a defensive staff meeting, and that was being run like the players were in there,” Coen said. “He was making a call. The defensive staff is (responding). It was moving. It was good. Really impressed.”

Coen also praised the Jaguars’ structure, which he, Gladstone, and executive vice president of football operations Tony Boselli have implemented. This structure, Coen said, lets him do the important work of coaching.

“I’m able to truly focus on the staff. Like, that’s it,” Coen said. “I’ll keep the main thing, the main thing. I’m a football coach. James does personnel. Tony is able to help with so much of the support staff and communication. I haven’t done a lot of ball, but it’s been really cool. I think with the players coming in soon, I will be able to do a little bit more.”

Players begin reporting for offseason workouts on April 7.