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

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

The Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund Board of Trustees selected Willard Payne as its fifth member on Friday during its final meeting of 2015. Larry Schmitt nominated, noting his experience with the Jax Chamber, the Port Authority, and other boards. “I think his experience and expertise in business dealings would make him a good […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

On the heels of Bill Gulliford’s bill pushing for an HRO expansion referendum, Councilman Tommy Hazouri filed a bill on Thursday to expand the HRO to cover the LGBT community. The Hazouri bill would expand equal protections under the law, including housing and employment, as well as public accommodations, to people regardless of sexual orientation (real or […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

One of the principal opponents of the Jacksonville HRO expansion: Gene Youngblood of the First Conservative Baptist Church. Youngblood, who posts provocative, politically messaged signs in front of his church, signs routinely lambasting Muslims, homosexuals, and others who run afoul of his interpretation of the Good Book, had another this week. “Did Jacksonville City Council members […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

On Thursday, the Brady Campaign for Gun Violence made a provocative claim. The “happiest place on earth” (Disney World) is now “scared sh!tless thanks to gutless politicians.” Why? “Disney, SeaWorld, and other theme parks have announced they are upping security measures at all their parks to include metal detectors and thorough bag searches, in light […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

A year after President Barack Obama changed Cuba policy, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera released an extended statement decrying it as a disaster. Lopez-Cantera’s Cuba statement likely will come as little surprise to those attuned to his opposition to Obama’s detente with the Castro regime. “Today marks one year since the President’s disastrous policy to legitimize the Castro […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

The “Community Conversations” on the HRO are over. But Lenny Curry’s inbox brims with communiqués from opponents of HRO expansion. The majority of emails received lately oppose legislation and support a referendum. [Note: all grammatical/spelling errors hail from the original documents being quoted.] “I still cannot believe that what is going on is for real… […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality said it was “dismayed” by Bill Gulliford‘s proposed referendum on the HRO (Human Rights Ordinance) expansion. Using rhetoric similar to that employed by former GOP Councilman Jack Webb at Tuesday’s Community Conversation, the JCE wrote that “we can strike a balance between protecting gay and transgender […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

With capital improvement deals such as Jacksonville’s $90 million package of Capital Improvements for EverBank Field, the devil is in the details. Even as the legislation is passed, a few questions remained (at least from this writer) about certain language in the bill. To that end, we reached out to the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 17, 2015

In the competitive Republican Senate Primary, every endorsement counts. Including those collected in another candidate’s backyard. On Thursday morning, the Carlos Lopez-Cantera campaign announced an endorsement from Jacksonville At-Large Councilman Sam Newby, as part of what it calls an “extensive coalition across the state.” Newby, a favorite of those in the leadership of the Duval County […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 16, 2015

In the wake of Councilman Bill Gulliford calling for a referendum on expansion of the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance, one thing is clear. On the HRO, there is no clarity, with business community members, Council members, and the mayor’s office all singing from different hymnals. FloridaPolitics.com caught up with various Jacksonville VIPs today, and notable was […]

A.G. Gancarski

Willard Payne voted onto Jax police, fire pension fund board

Tommy Hazouri files all-inclusive HRO expansion bill

Gene Youngblood dodges questions about latest inflammatory anti-HRO sign

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: “Happiest place on earth” now “scared sh!tless”

Carlos Lopez-Cantera slams “disastrous” Barack Obama Cuba policy

Anti-HRO emails continue to flood Lenny Curry’s inbox

Jax Coalition for Equality: “dismayed” by HRO referendum

One final look at the Jacksonville Sports Complex improvements legislation

Sam Newby endorses Carlos Lopez-Cantera for Senate

Legislative approaches diverge on Jax HRO