Kevin Meerschaert, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 17, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee on Tuesday rejected the latest version of a bill to reform the city’s police and firefighter pension plan. Still at issue is whether the council waits three years or 10 before it makes any changes to pension plans for current employees. After amending the deal to include the three-year […]

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 13, 2015

The Jax Young Voters Coalition wants to make sure voters remember to flip over their ballots and vote on the two issues to be decided in the March city election. The first is a referendum that would give the inspector general’s office the authority to investigate complaints and provide oversight regarding the city’s constitutional officers […]

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 11, 2015

Jacksonville-based Sea Breeze Food Service plans to expand its Northwest Jacksonville facility by more than 16,000 square feet. The project is possible in part from nearly $240,000 in grants from the Northwest Jacksonville Economic Fund. Sea Breeze says it will make a $3.8 million investment to include additional space for dry and frozen foods as […]

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 11, 2015

A vote on a plan to pay off Jacksonville’s Police and Fire pension debt will have to wait at least another two weeks. Citing concerns recently raised regarding mortality tables Council President Clay Yarbrough on Tuesday sent the bill back to its three committees. The bill was expected to be voted upon at the meeting. […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 26, 2015

As Jacksonville officials met Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the newly renovated Southbank Riverwalk, they also unveiled a new project designed to bring more events downtown. Built in 1985, the original wooden Riverwalk had fallen into disrepair. The $17 million project replaced the structure with a multi-colored concrete path stretching 4,000 feet. Approved by […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 25, 2015

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown signed a new law Tuesday giving the Downtown Investment Authority funding for various development projects. The legislation was nearly two years in the making as the DIA created its development plans. The bill appropriates $2.5 million a year from the Downtown Development Trust Fund to pay for the projects. “With today’s […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 20, 2015

Younger voters in Jacksonville want more people near their age to head to the polls in the city elections this spring. The goal of the nonpartisan group Jax Young Voters Coalition (jaxyoungvoters.com) is to increase turnout of voters between 18 and 40 by at least 5% from previous elections. It held a meet-and-greet with a […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 16, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council is expected to ask voters whether they are willing to pay an additional half-cent sales tax to pay off the city’s pension obligation. Councilman Bill Gulliford introduced a bill that would place the question on the city’s May election ballot. The higher tax rate would last 10 years with the money […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 9, 2015

Jacksonville mayoral candidate Republican Bill Bishop may not be getting support from party leaders or big donors, but he is putting together a coalition of GOP moderates and Democrats and independents who have become disillusioned with incumbent Alvin Brown. Some of those Democrats organized a rally Sunday for Bishop at Memorial Park in the city’s […]

Kevin MeerschaertJanuary 27, 2015

Two state representatives are vying to likely take over the Senate seat of John Thrasher in Tuesday’s Special Primary election. Thrasher resigned to take over the presidency of Florida State University. Ronald “Doc” Renuart of Ponte Vedra Beach and Travis Hutson of Elkton are the top candidates for the 6th District Senate Seat in Northeast […]

Kevin Meerschaert

Jacksonville City Council panel rejects pension reform bill

Jax Young Voters Coalition to make sure voters cast entire ballot

Northwest Jax business plans major expansion with city program’s aid

Jax City Council delays police, fire pension debt decision

Jax launches revamped Southbank Riverwalk, announces new event venue

Mayor Alvin Brown signs bill to fund downtown Jax projects

New coalition seeks to boost turnout for younger Jax voters

Sales tax bump for pension payoffs introduced for Jax ballot

Bill Bishop looks to peel off voters from Alvin Brown

It's Primary Election Day in SD 6