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

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

Last week, Ron Salem became the first candidate to file for 2019’s Jacksonville City Council races. The Southside Republican, running to replace termed-out John Crescimbeni in At-Large Group 2, is almost immediately set up as the candidate to beat in that race. The proof: an invite for a fundraiser next week, featuring an all-star list of supporters that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

For the third straight session, bills in the Florida House and Florida Senate have been filed to ban the constituent elements of Kratom. The bills, filed by Democrats Kristin Jacobs in the House and Darryl Rouson in the Senate, would add Mitragynine and Hydroxymitragynine, constituents of Kratom, to the schedule of controlled substances, offering an exception for any FDA approved […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

While the Human Rights Ordinance expansion is the biggest item being considered Tuesday by the Jacksonville City Council, it’s not the only one. Below, a preview of what to watch in Council Chambers. *** Margin Call: On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council has a decision to make: will the city protect LGBT rights as other major […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

A bill filed Monday in the Florida Legislature would establish rules for “charitable gaming”, such as poker tourneys and “amusement” games, for non-profit organizations. HB 799, filed by Lake City Republican Elizabeth Porter, would allow Type C amusement games to be operated at premises of veterans’ service organizations, in addition to poker tourneys of a similar […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 13, 2017

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A legal loophole that may have allowed some criminals against minors to escape prosecution may be closed soon. House Bill 791, filed by Jacksonville Republican Jay Fant, would extend statute of limitations periods for kidnapping & false imprisonment of minors under a certain age. For those abducting and holding hostage young people under the age of […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 13, 2017

Late last week, Florida CFO Jeff Atwater announced that, instead of running for another office in 2018, he will take a gig at Florida Atlantic University later this year, vacating the office of CFO. That announcement gave a speech from Atwater to Jacksonville’s Economic Roundtable — his first major speech since announcing his plans to leave […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 13, 2017

Three Jacksonville Republicans who are in their first terms in the Florida Legislature have already begun fundraising for 2018. Though Representatives Jason Fischer, Clay Yarborough, and Cord Byrd aren’t likely to face any credible opposition in running for re-election, their early attention to fundraising indicates the reality of the perpetual campaign. Of the three listed, Fischer made the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2017

The city of Jacksonville on Saturday struck a historic, revolutionary (and still tentative) pension accord with the Fraternal Order of Police and the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters. And not a moment too soon: Feb. 11 was the city’s “deadline” for the unions to take its offer. The deal offers long-delayed raises to current employees (a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

The second half of 2016 was quiet for “Build Something That Lasts,” the political committee of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. The first month of 2017? A different matter. “Build Something That Lasts” brought in $63,000 in January, with $50,000 of that from the Jacksonville Kennel Club and the other $13,000 from Vestcor Companies and subsidiaries thereof. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

Local Republican insider Ron Salem is the first of dozens of candidates to file to run for Jacksonville City Council in 2019. Salem filed to run in At Large Group 2 — a seat held by longtime Councilman John Crescimbeni, who will be termed out the same year. Salem has a connection to Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. He […]

A.G. Gancarski

Ron Salem kicks off 2019 Jacksonville City Council race with high-powered fundraiser

In face of prohibition efforts, Kratom lobbies up

HRO expansion is not the only story in Jacksonville City Council Tuesday

Legislature mulls legalizing charitable poker tourneys for non-profits

Legislature mulls extending statute of limitations in crimes against minors

Outgoing CFO Jeff Atwater extols Florida’s economic performance, talks ‘legacy’

Jacksonville freshman legislators are already fundraising for 2018

Jacksonville strikes historic, tentative pension accord with police, fire unions

Lenny Curry PAC rakes in $63,000 in January

Ron Salem launches 2019 run for Jacksonville City Council