Melissa Ross, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossFebruary 4, 2016

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Despite his declining poll numbers coming out of the Iowa caucuses, the Florida state director of the Donald Trump presidential campaign says this weekend is going to be a busy one for Trump supporters and volunteers. “We invite you to join us this weekend for a variety of volunteer events for the Trump Campaign,” said […]

Melissa RossFebruary 3, 2016

The city of Jacksonville is no longer taking part in the Rockefeller Foundation’s “100 Resilient Cities” Initiative. The program awards cities around the world $1 million grants to address issues such as sea level rise and extreme weather. Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown applied for the grant and received it, but under the Lenny Curry […]

Melissa RossFebruary 2, 2016

Although he’s placing some side money on Marco Rubio as “the perfect cover,” political analyst/bettor Paul Krishnamurty is looking like a genius in the wake of the Iowa caucuses. Krishnamurty, who freelances for the British sports betting firm Betfair and blogs at Political Gambler, has long placed his chips on Ted Cruz to win the 2016 GOP […]

Melissa RossFebruary 1, 2016

The team behind the innovative Illuminate Jax proposal to light up the Jacksonville skyline (with LED lights in office towers) is planning a mock-up run-through Tuesday night, and passers-by will be able to watch. You can check it out at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Bank Building, located at 100 N. Laura St. “Artful illumination […]

Melissa RossJanuary 29, 2016

The Coast Guard and the JAX Chamber have announced a new partnership promoting safety measures around the use and transport of liquefied natural gas or LNG in Jacksonville. The region has become a hub for LNG activity in recent years, particularly in North Florida’s thriving maritime industry. In a statement, Chamber CEO Daniel Davis said […]

Melissa RossJanuary 28, 2016

It’s a bipartisan affair (so far) at the new Kickstarter campaign just launched at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum featuring the five leading candidates for president. The Kickstarter page also lets you kick in some of your hard-earned cash to support a political bobblehead of the Democratic Donkey and the Republican Elephant, as well as […]

Melissa RossJanuary 27, 2016

Saying her endorsement “threatens to turn the Iowa caucus on its head,” British oddsmaker Paul Krishnamurty says Sarah Palin‘s endorsement of Donald Trump is taking the edge off his strategy of putting many of his chips on Ted Cruz to take the GOP nomination for president. Krishnamurty is a professional “punter” with the sports betting […]

Melissa RossJanuary 26, 2016

Growing concerns about homeless residents camping near the Volusia County Administration Center the past two weeks have led to a proposal to close the building. It’s the place where residents pay taxes, get car tags, and take of other business. Homeless people have been using the location as a campsite since Daytona Beach closed a […]

Melissa RossJanuary 25, 2016

The battle over charter schools has been joined in some Florida cities, particularly in places such as Palm Beach. Charters continue to grow in both popularity – and controversy. It’s against that tense backdrop that Jacksonville prepares to host an annual event looking to improve graduation rates for the city’s young male blacks, and this […]

Melissa RossJanuary 22, 2016

Child safety advocates are slamming legislation they say would endanger children and weaken Florida’s newly passed child passenger safety law, on the books only a year. SB 1394, filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, officially defines the terms “service patrol vehicle” and “driver-assistive truck platooning technology.” However, it’s the language referring to children that’s sparking outraged […]

Melissa Ross
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Donald Trump’s Florida campaign to hold weekend volunteer events

Jacksonville drops out of “100 Resilient Cities” initiative

Political Gambler: Ted Cruz “absolutely” still bet for GOP nominee

Illuminate Jax to stage mock-up at Jacksonville Bank Building

Email insights: Coast Guard, JAX Chamber team up on gas safety

Kickstarter campaign launched to create new line of 2016 presidential bobbleheads

Brit oddsmaker on 2016: Palin helps Trump, hurts Cruz, Hillary still favored to win it all

Volusia County administration building to close because of homeless camp

Jax Urban Ed Symposium to spotlight charter schools: “the good, the bad and the ugly”

Child safety advocates slam car-seat bill they say will endanger kids