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

Melissa RossJuly 9, 2015

Saying “Security is the creed of the tyrant,” former Duval County Circuit Judge John Merrett joined the chorus of callers into WJCT’s First Coast Connect Thursday to chime in on the current flap over PINAC activists suing for the right to take photos and record video outside the Duval County Courthouse. “It’s nobody’s business to stop […]

Melissa RossJuly 8, 2015

They may be on opposite sides of the aisle in Tallahassee, but State Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) and State Representative Mia Jones (D-Jacksonville) say they’re on the same page when it comes to figuring out a health care funding solution for Florida the next time the Legislature meets. “We’ve got to figure out a […]

Melissa RossJuly 7, 2015

After downtown Jacksonville’s Andrew Jackson statue was vandalized twice in one week, a spokeswoman for the activist group the Dream Defenders said she’d like to see as much outrage over controversial police-involved shootings as the recent widespread tagging of Confederate monuments in various states. “I always pay attention to what people care more about,” said the group’s […]

Melissa RossJuly 6, 2015

This week in Jacksonville, Community Health Outreach will commemorate the 20th anniversary of former NASA Astronaut and Jacksonville resident Norm Thagard’s return from the Russian Mir 18 mission on July 7, 1995. Twenty-eight experiments were conducted in the course of the 115-day flight. The mission culminated in a landing at the Kennedy Space Center in the […]

Melissa RossJuly 3, 2015

The founding member of the bipartisan Floridians for Solar Choice says he’s confident his coalition’s drive to allow Florida residents to independently purchase solar-generated electricity for their home or business will make it on the state’s 2016 ballot. “We’re not that worried about it,” said Stephen Smith. Smith is also affiliated with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, […]

Melissa RossJune 30, 2015

Calling public safety and the city’s stretched finances his top priorities, new Jacksonville City Council president Greg Anderson says the city is heading into “an exciting time” as a new mayor and council are sworn in July 1. “If we can create an environment where the executive and legislative branches are working together, Jacksonville is […]

Melissa RossJune 29, 2015

With reaction continuing to pour in after the Friday Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Jacksonville LGBT activists say they’re ready to take another crack at updating the city’s human rights ordinance. “We’re trying again,” says Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette, who chairs the Northeast Florida LGBT Leadership PAC, and thinks the climate is now a […]

Melissa RossJune 24, 2015

With resolutely positive messaging, outgoing Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is reflecting on his four years in office by noting the accomplishments that he says make him most proud: pension reform, downtown development, and the growth of the city as a sports and entertainment destination. On the pension deal: “I’m very happy for the hardworking taxpayers […]

Melissa RossJune 23, 2015

In the city named for Andrew Jackson, discussions involving race and the history of the South have often been fraught with awkward associations to the past. But an on-air radio discussion over South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s call to remove the Confederate battle flag from that state’s Capitol was refreshingly civil. “The people of South […]

Melissa RossJune 22, 2015

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Chicken-keeping residents across Duval County both in the urban core and in more rural areas may soon have reason to cluck their cheer if a new rule allows them to keep those hens on their property, permanently. “People really want to get in touch with their food comes from. I want my son to know […]

Melissa Ross

Former Judge John Merrett rips Duval Courthouse video ban

Aaron Bean and Mia Jones: “Let’s find the win-win on Medicaid expansion”

Dream Defenders ask why statue defacing raises more concern than black man’s death

Former Jax NASA astronaut: “A shame we didn’t replace the shuttle program with new vehicle”

Floridians for Solar Choice confident state Supreme Court will approve ballot initiative

Greg Anderson on new Jax mayor, council: “We’ve got a new day”

With same-sex marriage now legal coast to coast, Jax activists eye city’s HRO once again

Alvin Brown says, “I kept my promises”

Jacksonville speaks out about Confederate flag

Fans of urban chickens in Jax hope to crow with victory over new ordinance