Jax

A.G. GancarskiApril 3, 2017

Those in Florida’s Congressional District 5 who seek face time with Rep. Al Lawson will be in luck this month, should they be in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, or Quincy. Rep. Lawson, a first-term Democrat, has three town halls slated for April. Jacksonville Wednesday, April 12, 2017 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Florida State College at Jacksonville Downtown […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 3, 2017

Jacksonville prepares for its yearly Funk Fest this May, with headliners including Too $hort, Bell Biv Devoe, En Vogue, and SWV. But before those artists emerge from the catacombs of history to reprise their hits of yesteryear, questions remain about itemized labor costs. Councilman Reggie Gaffney, in whose district the May festival will happen, noted concerns about expenses from organizers […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 3, 2017

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The rappers Whodini posed the question way back: “Friends … how many of us have them?” When it comes to a downtown Jacksonville plaza, the once-controversial Friends of Hemming Park look poised to get a six-month extension to its contract — and some money for material improvements to the “front door to city hall” — […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 3, 2017

Friendship on the installment plan. Golf carts at the county line. A date with Joe Camel? You’d better be 21. A “bully” on a commission. A gag rule for the public. And incentives for the donor class. These are just a few of the concepts and bills the Jacksonville City Council mulls in committees this week. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 31, 2017

Jacksonville’s long road toward the latest round of pension reform – the Lenny Curry edition – is finally entering the home stretch this week. While last week saw the introduction of 14 total bills related to the various agreements struck with the city’s bargaining units after months of negotiations, this week sees council attempting to […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 31, 2017

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The search for a new CEO for JaxPort has commenced, reads a letter from Jim Citrano, chairman of the board of directors, to various stakeholders. The previous CEO, Brian Taylor, resigned with little forewarning earlier in the month. Taylor had irked board member John Falconetti for, among other reasons, not attending two board meetings in […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2017

In a sense, Jacksonville is the cradle of Republicanism. The city has a politically active Republican mayor. The City Council: majority Republican. Republican Governor. Republican Legislature. What could go wrong? How about the imminent end of the economic boom? Look at what’s happening to CSX. Hunter Harrison, 72, was brought in to run the operation, […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 30, 2017

Former Jacksonville City Council President and first-term State Rep. Clay Yarborough had an excellent Thursday in the Florida House. Two bills that Yarborough sponsored — HB 1141 and HB 589, dealing with — passed the House. As did a committee bill that Yarborough was carrying. ____ Lobby Up: CS 7023 would create the Local Government Lobbyist Registration Trust Fund within […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

The biggest political setback for the Donald Trump administration, thus far: the failure to get the American Health Care Act even to the House floor. The administration’s attempts to message its health care reform legislation were short-lived. However, one of the key theaters in that effort was Jacksonville, where VP Mike Pence, Gov. Rick Scott, and Mayor Lenny Curry messaged on […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

For the second time in a fortnight, Gov. Rick Scott came to Jacksonville on Wednesday to outline the importance of Enterprise Florida. This time, he discussed the Florida Defense Alliance, which has helped bring in grants within the last year to Clay County for academic enrichment and land buffering near Camp Blanding, and Duval via Defense […]

Jax

Al Lawson plans Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Quincy town halls

Jax Funk Fest organizers question high local labor costs

Hemming Park money clears first Jacksonville council panel

Friends with benefits: Committee week for Jacksonville City Council

Will Lenny Curry’s pension reform save Jacksonville money?

JaxPort begins CEO search, though details and timeframe are hazy

Jacksonville Bold 3.31.17 — Too much of a good thing

Clay Yarborough bills clear Florida House

Despite AHCA punt, Rick Scott and Lenny Curry want to ‘repeal and replace’ Obamacare

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry talk economic incentives in Jacksonville