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

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee downed a bill that would have returned a $2.775 million grant from the United Arab Emirates. Ordinance 2018-813 would have given back that $2.775 million grant. Back in October, the United Arab Emirates gave Jacksonville that money toward post-Hurricane Irma reconstruction. City Council voted the appropriation through without a hitch in the summer, but […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

A bill approved Tuesday in the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee would tighten ethics provisions for employees, officials, and board members. Ordinance 2018-822, filed by Council President Aaron Bowman at the request of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission, would mandate that officials and employees avoid leveraging their positions or resources for personal gain. The ordinance also sets up limits […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

Jacksonville City Council committees on Monday and Tuesday approved changes in collective bargaining for fire and police employees that could change health plans. Ordinances 2018-756 and 2018-757 would allow the unions to separate from the city health care plan in 2020. They were passed without opposition in both committees of reference (“Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

Late last week, state Sen. Travis Hutson honored his colleague, the late Sen. Dorothy Hukill, by introducing legislation that would help Florida students gain financial literacy. The St. Johns County Republican filed SB 114, which would “amend Florida Statute to require all students entering the 9th grade beginning in the 2019-2020 school year complete one-half credit dedicated […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 3, 2018

Duval’s December begins as most months have begun the last four years: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and his ever-expanding political machine standing strong, even as political enemies recover from their latest rout. Last Tuesday saw a doubleheader: back-to-back events illustrating the futility of, as the phrase once went, raging against the machine. An older phrase […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2018

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President Donald Trump met with leaders of Mexico and Canada Friday to promote the USCMA trade pact, a reboot of the much-maligned North American Free Trade Agreement. What’s clear: Trump won’t be able to count on universal Republican support, if Sen. Marco Rubio‘s tweet is any indication. “As currently drafted this deal will put Florida seasonal vegetable […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

In an effort to comply with SB 7026, the school safety bill passed after the Parkland massacre, Duval County decided to use “school safety assistants.” A group of plaintiffs including the League of Women Voters filed a legal challenge Thursday, arguing the plan is illegal and discriminatory. The LWV suit says the plan puts “thousands of […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

On Thursday, a Jacksonville City Council subcommittee continued what is billed as a “comprehensive crime reduction inventory.” However, crime reduction may not be the only law enforcement concern for the legislative panel: A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report this week revealed that Duval County ranks 66th in terms of crimes solved. Its clearance rate hovers […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

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State Sen. Rob Bradley is renewing for the second straight year his quest to protect Floridians’ vegetable gardens — local ordinances notwithstanding. This year’s bill (SB 82) by the Fleming Island Republican would eliminate as “void and unenforceable” local jurisdiction over front yard gardens. The goal: Facilitating “the development of sustainable cultivation of vegetables and fruits at […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

One of the knocks against Jacksonville’s government is a lack of long-range planning. Jacksonville City Council members are working to change that, via the institutionalization of plans extending out as far as five years. These plans have been pushed before in the early 2000s, and are up again. A bill under consideration in the Jacksonville […]

A.G. Gancarski
Marlon Scott poses at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. (Marlon Scott)

Jacksonville City Council panel: We’ll keep the UAE money, thanks

Jacksonville City Council panel moves to tighten ethics rules

Health care plan changes loom for Jacksonville fire, police

Fitting tribute: Travis Hutson honors Dorothy Hukill with financial literacy bill

2019 elections a referendum on Jacksonville’s strong mayor government

Marco Rubio: NAFTA reboot puts Florida farmers ‘out of business’

Safety first: Lawsuit challenges Duval County school guard plan

Jacksonville Council members won’t blame Sheriff for low crime clearance rates

Garden party: Rob Bradley renews fight for front-yard horticulture

Long-range plan: Jacksonville City Council members delve into budget priorities