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

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council has been wrestling with the issue of blight created by donation bins for some time, with a legislative process that has been less than conclusive. A meeting this month was Council’s latest attempt to formulate legislation that would address the issue. And there have been at least preliminary inquiries into a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

Parking downtown may get more expensive for Jacksonville’s city employees in the upcoming fiscal year, if a 2014 ordinance is allowed to sunset. In an email to CAO Sam Mousa, OED head Kirk Wendland notes that “Ordinance 2014-438-E gave all City employees who are monthly parkers at municipal owned parking garages operated by Public Parking a 50% […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

The Florida Times-Union reported this month on former CFO Ronnie Belton exploiting a loophole and converting $47,937 of payroll deductions under the defined benefit plan to $165,921 under a defined contribution plan. Belton, who did not have five years of service, did not satisfy the five-year threshold for pension benefits under the defined benefit plan. And his […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

The Patrick Murphy campaign continues to slam Alan Grayson over his hedge funds. On Valentine’s Day, Murphy hit Grayson hard on having “used his official position for personal gain,” before calling on Grayson to “close his unethical hedge fund.” Then he went further. “If all the allegations are true I think he would almost have to resign from office,” Murphy […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

FloridaPolitics.com had a look last week at the numbers behind Jacksonville’s “pension tax” bill, designed to repurpose/extend the Better Jacksonville Plan half-cent sales tax. With the bill on the House Special Order calendar for Tuesday, a last-minute amendment was filed. “The payroll of all employees in classifications covered by a closed retirement plan or system that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

In the race to get to a one-on-one showdown with Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are doing a great job cannibalizing each other. Monday’s example: A Rubio media availability in Las Vegas, where Florida’s junior senator again went on the offense over Cruz’s bare-knuckle brawling style of campaigning. “Who’s going to be held accountable for making up […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council will attempt to fix its written communications policy, and finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane. The two bills will likely take up the most time in deliberation, with opportunities for both honest disagreement and tub-thumping demagoguery on both. The written communications bill, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

HD 12 Republican Don Redman has been slow to fundraise thus far, a distant third in the race despite having filed more than a year ago. That said, Thursday evening represents a potential change. Redman will hold a fundraiser at the Fraternal Order of Police building from 6:30 to 8:30. Hosting the event: Scott Wilson, Redman’s former […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

When Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry endorsed Marco Rubio for President Sunday, it seemed like a logical and predictable move. In some respects, it was set up nine months ago when Rubio came in to support Curry at a rally before the May election that saw the former RPOF chair swept into office. Rubio’s presence was the punctuation mark […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 21, 2016

In a statement Sunday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry endorsed Marco Rubio for President. Rubio made a high-profile trip to Jacksonville to support Curry in May for Mayor; now, with the race for GOP nominee becoming a three-person battle, Curry has returned the favor. For conservatives this election represents an opportunity to lead a new generation of Americans into a […]

A.G. Gancarski

Textile recycling could figure in Jacksonville’s future

Jax city employees may pay more for parking next fiscal year

Jacksonville looking into pension loopholes

Patrick Murphy tells Alan Grayson to “come clean with congressional investigators”

Jax pension tax bill gets final amendment before House Special Order calendar

Marco Rubio to Ted Cruz campaign: “Who’s going to be held accountable?”

Jax Council to mull written communications bill, John Keane deal

Don Redman kicks HD 12 fundraising machine into gear

The importance of Duval County for Marco Rubio

Lenny Curry endorses Marco Rubio