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

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2016

[Updated: 6:40 p.m. with commentary from Mike Weinstein, at the bottom of the piece.] In the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Wednesday, Mike Weinstein, the city’s CFO, and Tim Johnson, the director of the Police and Fire Pension Fund, discussed a “waiver” in pension cost allocations that had been controversial in recent news cycles. Their joint appearance was […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2016

The Republican Party of Duval County continues to fracture after Monday’s surprising leadership elections, which saw longtime chair aspirant Karyn Morton topple Cindy Graves. The establishment, the donor class, and incumbent politicians all have a comfort level with Graves. However, it was Morton who scored a coup over Graves on Monday night. And it’s Graves […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2016

Two bills related to sports and entertainment cleared the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Wednesday. The first bill would increase city-imposed ticket surcharges for the Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jax, and the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, while adding surcharges for events at the under construction amphitheater and flex field at […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2016

A bill designed to give Jacksonville City Council members access to a pot of $70,000 for neighborhood events cleared its final committee Wednesday. The measure cleared Neighborhoods, Community Investments, and Services on Monday with no opposition. And on Tuesday, the Rules Committee approved it 5 to 1. A number of amendments, intended to sharpen distinctions […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2016

Key Jacksonville officials leave for New York Wednesday, on a pivotal trip for meetings with various bond ratings agencies. 2015’s meetings saw a series of upgrades for the city’s position. Thursday sees meetings with Fitch and Moody’s. Friday offers some time with S&P. Mayor Lenny Curry, Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, CFO Mike Weinstein, and Treasurer Joey Greive will […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

The city of Jacksonville spends over $200,000 a year for association memberships, such as the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors. But some council members contend that the money isn’t being optimally spent, because restricted travel budgets don’t allow Jacksonville to represent its own […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

A bill allocating $70,000 t0 Jacksonville City Council members for internal costs on “neighborhood events” had gotten some pushback when introduced by Councilman Reggie Brown earlier this year. However, in the current round of committee hearings, the measure is getting traction. The measure cleared Neighborhoods, Community Investments, and Services on Monday. And on Tuesday, the Rules Committee […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

On Tuesday, the Donald Trump transition team held its usual morning telephonic press briefing. The big news of the day, according to Jason Miller and Sean Spicer: the announcement of James Mattis to run the Pentagon (an announcement that was made last week during a “thank you” rally, on a somewhat less formal basis.) Mattis, who has held command posts […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

A bill filed for the 2017 Legislative Session by Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Dane Eagle seeks to enhance penalties for violent crimes from illegal immigrants. “Reclassification of crimes” legislation would increase penalties for violent crimes committed by illegals by one degree from the baseline penalty. A third-degree misdemeanor would become a second-degree misdemeanor, and so on, […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

Two members of the Jacksonville City Council introduced a resolution last month urging a local bill this Legislative Session to further relax rules on drinking and dining in certain areas of the city. Councilmen Jim Love and Reggie Gaffney filed 2016-783, which would urge the Florida Legislature to amend relevant Florida statute, adding “special zones” in certain areas […]

A.G. Gancarski

Jacksonville CFO: money in $44M pension “waiver” is “hiccup” compared to total liability

Civil war embroils the Duval GOP after race for chair

Ticket surcharge, temporary seat bills clear Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee

Neighborhood events bill clears final Jacksonville council panel

‘Reform of the system’ part of the narrative on Jacksonville bond rating trip

Jacksonville council members hammer out travel budget details

Neighborhood events bill clears second Jacksonville council panel

Donald Trump set to ‘formally announce’ James Mattis for Sec Def

New bill targets crimes from ‘violent illegal immigrants’

Jacksonville City Council to consider local bill to make drinking and dining easier