A.G. Gancarski, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

The big #jaxpol scoop of the day dropped early this morning. An early-week trip by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa caught the eye of the Florida Times-Union Tuesday … as it was on Jags’ owner Shad Khan’s corporate jet. Described as “a two-day trip to St. Louis and Baltimore to take […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

On Monday, State Rep. Jason Fischer proposed a state financial audit of the Duval County School Board on which he served until last year. Fischer’s take: the district is more concerned about potentially suing over the controversial “Schools of Hope” bill he advocated than it is with getting its “financial house in order,” after recent revelations of […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

Back in the early 1990s, the people of Jacksonville voted via referendum to limit city officials to two consecutive terms. Now, almost three decades later, a Jacksonville City Councilman wants another referendum — to amend that two-term limit, making it three terms for every elected office but that of the Mayor. In addition to giving […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 24, 2017

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche met with her immediate predecessor, Councilwoman Lori Boyer, on Monday. The topic: tourism, and Jacksonville’s vehicle for driving tourist traffic: the Tourism Development Council. The Boyer Presidency saw a revision in the funding model for the TDC, yet tourism marketing is still very much a work in progress for Jacksonville, a city […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

“Another mess” in Jacksonville summer camp funding has made its way to the attention of Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. This time: a complaint that advance funding wasn’t released to a provider (Us and Our Children) … and that immediate help is needed. Yolanda Tucker emailed Mayor Curry this week, outlining the organization’s […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott said ‘let there be jobs’—and there were jobs. And the jobs numbers were good. In fact, in one key metric—the official unemployment rate—the numbers were the best in a decade. Florida’s unemployment rate “has dropped to its lowest rate in 10 years and nearly 18,000 new jobs were created for families across the state in […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

Earlier this summer, we reported on a whistleblower lawsuit brought against the non-profit company of Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Gaffney. Former employee Darlene Peoples claimed the company, Community Rehabilitation Center, had “unlawfully terminated” her… after she was allegedly exposed to risk from HIV-positive clients without proper training and licensure. Peoples asserted that she couldn’t find any recourse via human […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2017

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson introduced a new bill: the “Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act,” which would “establish a small business start-up tax credit for veterans creating businesses in underserved communities,” per a press release from his office. Lawson’s North Florida district sprawls from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, including a lot of rural areas and small towns […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2017

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry introduced the City Council to his proposed FY 17/18 budget Monday, a $1.27B plan heavy on spending on infrastructure and public safety. Council Finance Chair Garrett Dennis is arguably the most important person in the process going forward; Finance will review the budget in August, tweaking it before the full City Council gets a […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2017

Freshman Jacksonville-area Congressmen John Rutherford and Al Lawson may have different party labels. But they both have strong fundraising in the latest campaign finance report, suggesting that either will be tough outs in primaries. Rutherford hauled in over $155,000 off of 69 total contributions from January to June 2017; Lawson brought in over $158,000 off 118 total […]

A.G. Gancarski

Lenny Curry, Sam Mousa discuss trip with Shad Khan

Duval School Board member welcomes state financial audit

Are two terms enough for Jacksonville’s public officials?

Jax tourism marketing: A struggle for City Council presidents

Sam Mousa: ‘Another mess’ regarding Jax summer camp funding

Rick Scott: Florida unemployment lowest in decade

Jax Councilman’s company: Whistleblower lawsuit lacks merit

Al Lawson files ‘Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act’

Equal Opportunity criteria to be part of Jax budget review in August

John Rutherford, Al Lawson show strong 2017 fundraising