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

Melissa RossApril 12, 2016

Pension reform (not just in Jacksonville, but statewide) was one of the hot topics at the Florida TaxWatch roundtable luncheon hosted by powerhouse legal firm Holland & Knight and attended by a local who’s who of players. The forum, which also featured this website’s own A.G. Gancarski as a panelist, also touched on other issues […]

Melissa RossApril 11, 2016

A St. Johns County official says that controversial billboard in St. Augustine Beach denouncing Islam will stay, because it’s protected under the First Amendment. An online petition demanding the removal of the billboard in St. Augustine Beach is gaining signatures worldwide. In fact, of the 24,000 plus signatures, only a few thousand are from here […]

Melissa RossApril 8, 2016

A coalition of community groups is calling for State Attorney Angela Corey “to either resign from office or she needs to be voted out of office as the State Attorney in August 2016.” That, from the Community Leadership Coalition for Justice, Jacksonville Leadership Coalition, Jacksonville Progressive Coalition, Mothers on a Mission, and more. The groups held […]

Melissa RossApril 8, 2016

A coalition of women’s groups including the National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters, Breastfeeding Coalition, National Council of Jewish Women and UniteWomen FL will all rally in Tallahassee on Tuesday against Senate Bill 668, a family law measure awaiting Governor Rick Scott‘s signature. The new statute would give judges a formula to use […]

Melissa RossApril 6, 2016

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They’re national champions after winning the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals tournament Saturday at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Now, the Jacksonville Ribault High School Lady Trojans basketball team is going for another national honor: a visit to the White House. Fans of the Lady Trojans clearly believe the winning athletes deserve presidential attention. They’ve posted […]

Melissa RossApril 5, 2016

Two potential heirs to the much-discussed 5th Congressional District long held by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown have confirmed they are sizing up the seat should it become available. “Absolutely,” said state Rep. Mia Jones, one of four veteran Jacksonville politicians seen as a viable contender to run in Brown’s stead. The others are former Jax Mayor […]

Melissa RossApril 4, 2016

On the heels of a new Florida law requiring speedier testing of rape kits, advocates in North Florida are speaking out about the high rate of sexual assault in the region. A Community Speak Out is set for Tuesday morning at Jacksonville City Hall, featuring representatives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, Florida […]

Melissa RossApril 1, 2016

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The grassroots push to ban fracking in Florida continues. Activists are mobilizing fracking foes to call and email Calhoun County Commissioners and demand an emergency meeting on the issue. The sparsely populated county is in the Panhandle, west of Tallahassee. “Calhoun County will have the Cholla Petroleum Company begin seismic testing any day now,” reads […]

Melissa RossMarch 31, 2016

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Pointing out that only live humans can cast ballots, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Michael Ertel has set up a special website to help voters in Central Florida differentiate among all the election-related mailings they’re getting in this campaign season. The website www.OfficialElectionMail.org leads voters to the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections website, www.VoteSeminole.org, where a link will display […]

Melissa RossMarch 31, 2016

Highlighting the creation of 75 new jobs, Gov. Rick Scott was on hand at a groundbreaking ceremony for Anheuser-Busch’s new $175 million aluminum bottle line at its Jacksonville facility. The company employs 840 people across Florida. “Manufacturers like Anheuser-Busch are incredibly important to our state, and I am excited to join them in celebrating their […]

Melissa Ross

Florida TaxWatch: “We need to look at statewide pension reform”

“Islam Bloody Islam” billboard in St. Augustine stays, protected by First Amendment

Jacksonville activists demand Angela Corey’s resignation

Women’s rights groups to rally in Tally against alimony bill

Jax Ribault High Lady Trojans petition for White House invite

Audrey Gibson, Mia Jones both “absolutely” eyeing Corrine Brown’s CD 5 seat

Jax mayor, sheriff, state attorney all to speak out at rally against sexual violence

Florida activists continue to push fracking bans

Seminole County elections official says D.C. organization tried to register dead cat to vote

Rick Scott touts new jobs at Anheuser-Busch in Jacksonville