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

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

Keep hope alive? Rev. Jesse Jackson is one of more than 30 defense witnesses to be called to testify in the defense of Corrine Brown during her One Door for Education trial starting later this month. Former Congressional colleagues will testify also, including Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Rep. Bennie Thompson. Jacksonville luminaries will testify also, including former Mayor John Delaney, […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government was the latest successful stop for Sen. Dana Young‘s craft beer bill, bringing small-batch brewers one step closer to self-distribution. SB 554 allows craft breweries producing under 7,000 kegs a year to distribute kegs (not bottles or cans) to other Florida craft breweries. That applies as long as […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

Even in the best of times, public comment is often the most tedious part of a Jacksonville City Council meeting. The spectacle, as is the case with most meetings of governmental bodies, involves familiar gadflies making histrionic points. Generally, that’s considered the price of doing business. However, as was seen recently with discussions of expanding […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry isn’t the only candidate from the 904 area code in the mix for CFO. State Sen. Aaron Bean told us Tuesday that he too was being considered for the job … and he gave us some insight into the timing of the process. “My name is in the hat for CFO,” Bean said. […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

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In 2016, State House candidate Leslie Jean-Bart pulled no punches when describing what she saw as a pre-ordained process of endorsement in her race from the local Fraternal Order of Police. “They knew weeks ahead of time that they were going to endorse Kim Daniels. They have a relationship with her … [maybe] someone in particular […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

Two major political questions in Florida right now are predicated on the eventual decision of Gov. Rick Scott. But he’s in no rush to provide answers. One such decision: will he, as is widely expected, challenge Sen. Bill Nelson next year. Nelson, already in campaign mode, is telling reporters he’s “scared as a jackrabbit” to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2017

Zika season is all but upon us, and to that end Gov. Rick Scott visited Jacksonville Tuesday to discuss Florida’s ongoing struggles with Zika. Scott found himself messaging heavily around Zika in 2016, frustrated with President Barack Obama not doing as much as he could to fund Zika-related costs. In 2017, Scott has an ally in the White House — […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

Whatever public grousing there might have been from Jacksonville politicians about Mayor Lenny Curry‘s pension reform, it will be stifled after a dispositive internal poll from Curry’s political committee. The big number: 71 percent. That represents the number of Duval County residents who support Curry’s plan to close the old “dinosaur” defined benefit pension plans that have bled […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

An ongoing debate in Florida has revolved around whether foster care or group care is the best way forward for the kids who need it. This question, as is the case with so many “safety net” questions, depends on who you ask and how the question is framed. In the last ten years, the usage […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry got a political boost today when his allies at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce endorsed his pension reform package. “This is a collaborative solution that addresses a longstanding issue facing our city finances and balances the interests of taxpayers and our hard-working, dedicated city employees,” JAX Chamber Chair Darnell Smith said. Curry’s […]

A.G. Gancarski

Jesse Jackson to testify in Corrine Brown’s defense

Dana Young craft beer bill clears Senate subcommittee

Jacksonville Council panel mulls shortening speaker time

Aaron Bean: ‘My name is in the hat for CFO’

Jax police union head, ethics commission nominee spar over police brutality

Rick Scott still mulls Senate race, CFO choice

Rick Scott optimistic about partnership with White House on Zika

Shock poll: Pension reform, Lenny Curry both top 70 percent with Jax voters

Group homes, foster care concern Senate panel

Jax Chamber backs Lenny Curry’s pension reform