Jax

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

The future of CRAs, or Community Redevelopment Agencies, is in flux on the state level, with CS/HB 13 and SB 1770 both proposing substantial alterations to the process. Meanwhile, on the local level, a robust debate has occurred related to whether or not the JIA CRA should be phased out. District 7 Councilman Reggie Gaffney, as reported in […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

Back in January, former Jacksonville City Council candidate Mike Anania seemed like a sure thing to be appointed to the Jacksonville “Taxation, Revenues, and Utilization of Expenditures” Commission. However, assurances that the Arlington Republican is a sure thing for the TRUE Commission have been proven false by events since his nomination was put forth late in January. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

Another round of bad press awaits House members of the Duval County Legislative Delegation on Wednesday. Governor Rick Scott will host a roundtable on Jacksonville’s Westside, discussing Enterprise Florida backed programs that “invest in Florida’s military and defense communities.” Those with memories that extend back a few days will remember that Scott was already here […]

Jax

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

Jacksonville councilors fight proposed JIA CRA sunset

‘Combative’ Mike Anania no sure thing for Jacksonville TRUE Commission

Rick Scott returns to Jacksonville Wednesday to push military, defense incentives