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

A.G. GancarskiJune 6, 2017

A bill proposing a ban on Jacksonville city sidewalks in downtown Jacksonville was withdrawn Tuesday by Jacksonville City Councilman Bill Gulliford. Gulliford, since filing the bill in 2016, has engaged with skateboarding enthusiasts in recent months over perhaps getting dedicated areas downtown for skaters. Gulliford noted that “laws in the books” address the issues of property […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 5, 2017

Extra payments for Jacksonville’s $2.8B unfunded pension liability? Councilman Danny Becton wants them. But he doesn’t have support in the Mayor’s Office. Despite a pension reform bill becoming law earlier this year, at least one city councilman, who on Monday likened the pension reform package that was the signature legislative achievement of the Lenny Curry Administration to […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 5, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed 33 bills into law Friday, including Northeast Florida State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson’s bill (HB 141) to remove some restrictions from craft distilleries. Among the highlights of the legislation: increasing production caps from 75,000 to 250,000 gallons; allowing for off-site distribution points; and relaxing limits on how many bottles a consumer could […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 5, 2017

In Florida’s 4th Congressional District, where Jacksonville Republican John Rutherford holds serve, a primary challenge has emerged from Palatka’s Rob Ficker. “I live there,” Ficker said of Palatka, “because it’s cheaper than St. Augustine.” Ficker, a 39-year-old NPA registrant who filed in CD 4 because he “works in the district,” described himself as “working in […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 2, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott’s budget veto list is out, and Northeast Florida was not spared the axe. Some education, health, and infrastructure projects will have to wait until next year. Crosswalk safety didn’t make the cut, as a $1.231M ask for signal installation, carried by Rep. Clay Yarborough, fell to the floor. As did University of […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 2, 2017

There are a number of pieces of unfinished business for the Florida Legislature this month; among them: agreeing on rules for medical cannabis. The regular Legislative Session ended without complete agreement from the Senate and the House, especially on caps for retail dispensaries for licensed growers. While the Special Session announced on Friday by Gov. Rick […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 2, 2017

An issue among Jacksonville City Council members in recent weeks: how to get the funding needed for summer camps for at-risk youth? A “major announcement” was delivered by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry Friday on that subject, with 24 more sites being funded (bringing the total to 72 citywide, down from 98 previously), $958,000 more being allocated, and […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 2, 2017

Breaking with most big city mayors that have thus far opined on President Donald Trump withdrawing from the Paris Accord: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “@realDonaldTrump @POTUS campaigned on American jobs, cutting regs that killed those jobs &he won.He’s doing what he said he would do. #jobs,” Curry Tweeted Thursday evening. Curry, during a press conference Friday morning […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 1, 2017

When it comes to body cameras for police in Jacksonville, nothing has come easy. And Sheriff Mike Williams has evolved on the matter. “There are just too many issues related to body cameras for JSO officers at this time. More discussion is necessary,” Williams said in 2015 on the campaign trail. Activists persevered, however, and by […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 1, 2017

Last year, Hurricane Matthew cut a swath of destruction through Duval County, just as it did the rest of the East Coast. In Northeast Florida alone, the storm caused $1B in property damage, despite the storm having lost strength and having had the eyewall veer east as it approached Duval County, which itself took $50M […]

A.G. Gancarski
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Bill Gulliford pulls Downtown Jacksonville skateboarding ban legislation

Jax Councilman wants extra pension payment; Mayor’s Office not sold

How Cyndi Stevenson scored a ‘significant win for craft distilleries’

Petition collector mounts primary challenge to ‘vulnerable’ John Rutherford

Rick Scott budget vetoes impact Northeast Florida needs

Medical marijuana push continues for Rob Bradley

More summer camp money provided for ‘at-hope’ Jacksonville kids

Lenny Curry: Paris Accord ‘has no teeth to it’

Jax Sheriff rolls out body camera pilot program for July launch

Jacksonville gears up for 2017 hurricane season