Jax

A.G. GancarskiMarch 26, 2018

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche got her task force to look at transparency in local government. The bill (2018-133) passed Tuesday’s Council agenda after having passed the Rules Committee unanimously last week, though the vote didn’t reflect issues between one committee member and a controversial nominee. “The Task Force on Open Government” will “undertake an in-depth review of […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 26, 2018

Jacksonville’s former Southside Generating Station was the subject of a City Council “lunch and learn” Monday. Specifically, the proposed District redevelopment, four years in the making, with construction proposed to wrap by the end of 2022. The proposal was described as a “labor of love” by the head of the Downtown Investment Authority, but which was […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 26, 2018

Yacht broker Mark Zeigler entered what the GOP primary in House District 15 last month. Incumbent Jay Fant is currently running for Attorney General. Zeigler will face Joseph Hogan and Wyman Duggan. Florida Politics talked to Zeigler late last week about why he’s running, what differentiates him from the field and related issues. Zeigler, alone among the field, is known […]

Staff ReportsMarch 23, 2018

Readers may note a focus on campaigns in Jacksonville Bold this week. With the Legislative Session over, we are now heading into campaign season. While Gov. Rick Scott seeks the right time to launch his bid for the U.S. Senate against Bill Nelson, facing no primary competition if he does so, pretty much everyone else […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2018

During a Wednesday public notice meeting regarding the pros and cons of selling JEA, John Crescimbeni, who chairs a special committee on the “potential sale” of JEA, advised a Council colleague who thought the local utility’s electrical component could fetch $5 billion on the open market to “stay tuned to our special committee.” That special committee met […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2018

Harsh words flowed last week from two heads of Jacksonville nonprofits to Jacksonville city officials regarding perceived irregularities in the new Kids Hope Alliance. At issue: board member Joe Peppers, who had since resigned, pursuing the CEO position of the nascent children’s program board. “I am honored to remain a candidate for the CEO position. If the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 22, 2018

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott swung through Ponte Vedra to highlight military and veteran spending in the 2018-19 budget. This was the second trip this month to the Jacksonville market to highlight military-friendly initiatives. Scott staged the event at K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for veterans who suffer from PTSD and other post-combat maladies. The nonprofit […]

Staff ReportsMarch 22, 2018

Volusia County Commission Vice Chair Deborah Denys is endorsing former Green Beret Michael Waltz for Florida’s 6th Congressional District. In a statement Thursday, Denys lauded Waltz’s “service in keeping America safe over multiple combat tours [as] a testament to his commitment to our values and freedom.” “Like me,” Denys added, “he believes that bringing the commercial space industry to […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 21, 2018

Lost in all the drama and metadiscourse regarding Jacksonville’s potential sale of local utility JEA: whether the sale is good for the city or not. A meeting at 1 p.m. at Jacksonville City Hall between City Council members moved to resolve that question. Councilman Matt Schellenberg (the Council liaison to JEA, who is as open to […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 20, 2018

Amendment 2 was approved by 71 percent of Florida voters in 2016, yet nearly two years later, the Office of Medical Marijuana Use is still workshopping rules. The road show came to Jacksonville Tuesday afternoon, to a Southside hotel in the absolute doldrums of renovations. From peeling wallpaper in the single-occupancy bathroom to a stale, […]

Jax

Jacksonville ‘open government task force’ passes city council

Jacksonville City Councilmen pan latest ‘District’ pitch

Business taxes drive Mark Zeigler’s run in House District 15

Jacksonville Bold for 3.23.18 — Five months to go

Jacksonville Council auditor throws cold water on JEA sale fever

Non-profits raise ethics red flags about Jacksonville children’s board governance

Rick Scott spotlights $180 million for military, veteran spending during Ponte Vedra stop

Volusia commissioner backs Michael Waltz for Congress

Jacksonville City Councilor seeks $5B net for JEA electric sale; colleagues skeptical

In Jacksonville, Christian Bax defends medical marijuana rulemaking process