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

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

As legislators begin filing appropriations bills in Tallahassee, we are starting to get an idea what success (or failure) will look like for Northeast Florida this Session. Two of the more compelling requests last week came from Jacksonville Rep. Clay Yarborough, who filed a pair of bills totaling $10 million for the University of North Florida. House […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2017

Pension negotiations resume for Jacksonville’s Fraternal Order of Police on Monday. And an interesting preliminary battle is being fought between the FOP head and a reporter for the Florida Times-Union on Twitter. While such pushback is an occupational hazard for reporters from political figures, the public nature of this dispute is unusual for the Jacksonville market. The […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2017

On April 15, 2016, Jacksonville state Rep. Reggie Fullwood was arrested and charged with 10 counts of wire fraud and four counts of failure to file federal tax returns on the money in question. Fullwood, who had diverted $60,000 of campaign funds into personal expenses, managed to work down the eventual plea deal to one count […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2017

In Houston for the Superbowl, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan broke with the city’s right wing on two hot-button issues. Khan, a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, came out against the controversial Donald Trump immigration/travel ban from seven majority-Muslim countries. And, for good measure, he expressed — to a national publication — his support for the expansion of […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2017

A sign of the times in Jacksonville’s City Council as discussion of expanding the Human Rights Ordinance begins next week: requests for press passes to the February 14 meeting when the full vote is expected to occur are already being taken. The public hearing in January drew an overflow crowd to the council chambers, leading […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2017

On Friday, Florida State Sen. Rob Bradley filed a bill to repeal the state’s controversial Certificate of Need program. And Gov. Rick Scott supports the measure. Senate Bill 676 would eliminate the Certificate of Need (CON) Program at the Agency for Health Care Administration. Currently, health care providers require a certificate of need prior before building or converting […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2017

February started off with a worrying story for parents and guardians of children in Duval County Public Schools. As News 4 Jax reports, students with guns were found at three Jacksonville schools on Wednesday. One of those schools: an elementary school. DCPS Superintendent Nikolai Vitti told “THE Local Station” that parents need to be more involved, and […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

On Thursday, opponents of Jacksonville’s proposed expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance had their say in the Council Chambers. Councilman Bill Gulliford, launching the meeting, noted the passion surrounding this issue, which is now in its fifth year of being debated citywide. “I decided to have this meeting for several reasons,” Gulliford said, including “objective discussion” of […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

On Thursday, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act was filed again in the Florida Legislature, this time by Rep. Ben Diamond and Rep. Rene Plascenia on the House side, and Sen. Jeff Clemens in the Senate. House Bill 623/Senate Bill 666 prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. The FCWA would amend Ch. 760 […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

Florida House Bill 615, filed by Rep. Paul Renner of Palm Coast, would make transfers to Florida a bit easier for military families. Also known as the “Occupational Opportunity Act,” HB 615 would compel Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation to license military members, spouses, and surviving spouses in occupations they have licenses for in other states. […]

A.G. Gancarski

UNF capital improvements among appropriations asks by northeast Florida lawmakers

Jacksonville police union head, beat reporter clash on Twitter

Reggie Fullwood faces light sentence, wants to avoid prison altogether

Shad Khan: No to Muslim Ban, Yes to HRO

HRO onslaught hits Jacksonville City Council committees starting Monday

Rob Bradley seeks to repeal Florida’s Certificate of Need program

Lenny Curry, Nikolai Vitti may collaborate against youth gun violence

Jacksonville LGBT rights opponents speak; Bill Gulliford talks HRO referendum

\Competitive Workforce Act filed once again in Legislature

Paul Renner files Occupational Opportunity Act in House