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

Melissa RossMay 6, 2015

In an email from his media office, Florida CFO Jeff Atwater says under his leadership, the state’s Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Unclaimed Property “will soon cross a record-breaking threshold of $1 billion in funds returned.” “This remarkable program milestone is due to extensive proactive outreach efforts aimed at reconnecting lost valuables and unclaimed funds held […]

Melissa RossMay 5, 2015

Zack Whitson, the 29-year-old owner of TWG Technologies and the North Florida millennial whiz kid behind new election data software, says Jacksonville’s mayor’s race is on a knife’s edge, according to his numbers and methodology. Whitson’s business is behind iElectApp and is also building Sphere, a new online tool letting users know which of their […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2015

Jacksonville’s African-American faith leadership assembled at the Gateway Mall early voting precinct Monday morning to urge people to get to the polls — in particular to combat crime and gang activity in the city. “The current crime, gangs and community unrest in Jacksonville directly relate to public policy and lack of justice that we can […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2015

As early voting gets under way in Duval County, the Orlando-based Florida Family Action PAC has sent out a voter guide advising socially conservative residents as they to go the polls to choose a new Jacksonville City Council. “These City Council candidates OPPOSE granting special rights based on ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ and SUPPORT […]

Melissa RossMay 1, 2015

Former Jacksonville mayoral candidate Audrey Moran used her time at the podium accepting a OneJax Humanitarian Award to call out Mayor Alvin Brown and his challenger Lenny Curry, both in the audience, on the city’s Human Right Ordinance. Moran, now vice president of corporate and social responsibility for Baptist Health, challenged Brown and Curry to issue a […]

Melissa RossApril 30, 2015

With just 20 days left until the city’s runoff election, Bill Bishop’s unexpected endorsement of Mayor Alvin Brown has landed as another late-in-the-game twist in the city’s tight mayor’s race. After tallying up 17% of the vote in the March First Election for mayor, Bishop vowed to run again in four years- but repeatedly said he was […]

Melissa RossApril 30, 2015

As the Jacksonville candidates for both mayor and sheriff campaign hard on how to boost public safety, the city’s influential faith leaders are also speaking out about a disturbing spike in crime rates and gang activity. They’re not all on the same page regarding recent calls to impose a 9 p.m. curfew in Jacksonville’s high-crime […]

Melissa RossApril 29, 2015

He hasn’t even been sworn in yet, but incoming Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson is already experiencing the headaches of leadership. Susan Aertker of Americans United for Separation of Church and State has emailed Anderson to ask him to (once again) change the rules about Council meetings and sectarian vs. inclusive prayers during the invocation. Under […]

Melissa RossApril 28, 2015

As the U.S. Supreme Court hears historic oral arguments on same-sex marriage, Jacksonville’s LGBT activists are growing increasingly vocal in pressing their case for full legal protections. “The change around this issue has happened so quickly,” says Dan Merkan, chairman of the Jax Coalition for Equality. Merkan says the Coalition will continue to advocate for […]

Melissa RossApril 28, 2015

Like the kudzu that keeps cropping up in backyards across the South, the longstanding bugaboo of billboards in the city of Jacksonville is the issue that just won’t die. The latest iteration: This week Jacksonville City Council is debating whether billboards should be allowed on the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. A letter sent from the […]

Melissa Ross

Email insights: Jeff Atwater says $1 billion in unclaimed funds returned

Millennial data cruncher says Jax mayoral race on knife’s edge

Vote to get social justice, reduce crime, Jax Baptist ministers urge

Florida Family Action PAC urges Jax voters to support anti-HRO candidates

Audrey Moran calls out Alvin Brown, Lenny Curry on HRO

Bill Bishop endorsement: “I really do think it’s a game-changer”

Jax pastor: We don’t want to become the next Baltimore or Ferguson

Email insights: Sectarian prayer issue flares up again at Jax City Council

Jax equality coalition: “Hearts and minds” changing rapidly

Billboard battles rage on in Jacksonville, Miami