Jax

Peter SchorschMarch 10, 2017

First Coast Delegation dials down expectations Earlier this week (and last week), we detailed a few reasons Northeast Florida legislators may not have the best Session in 2017; among them, inexperience and lack of stroke. In the Florida Times-Union, Tia Mitchell offered some more examples of diminished expectations this week. Much of this you read […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 10, 2017

The numbers are stark for those who care about public policy in Jacksonville. And the need for solutions is urgent. Overdoses, at last count, end four times as many lives as homicides in Duval County, with 2016’s count of 464 casualties more than doubling 2015’s count of 201. Caucasians represent 86 percent of the deaths, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

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State Rep. Jay Fant says he will not vote for a bill, backed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, that seeks to abolish the Enterprise Florida economic development organization. After Thursday’s floor session, he told FloridaPolitics.com he doesn’t “like going against leadership on a vote, and I stick with them on just about everything, but this […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

No Northeast Florida incumbents face competitive races in 2018. Yet the fundraising continues anyway, as February evidenced. Notable for performance: two Northeast Florida political committees that cleared the $100K threshold for February money. And one Clay County legislator who had a strong month. ____ One of the PACs that hit six figures: “Build Something That […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

The city of Jacksonville has thus far been frustrated by its dealings with CoWealth, LLC, the family business of Councilwoman Katrina Brown. Frustrations continue this week, with a curious legal filing from CoWealth on Wednesday that led to a sharp response from the city on Thursday. CoWealth LLC, one of the Brown family’s group of nebulously named […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

Former State Rep. Charles McBurney opened a campaign account Mar. 1 to start his race for a judgeship in Florida’s 4th Circuit. Currently, McBurney is unopposed for the 2018 election. Of course, last time the Jacksonville Republican was up for a judgeship (via gubernatorial appointment), by appointment in 2016, he faced an opponent more powerful than any […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

On Wednesday, Jacksonville City Councilman Aaron Bowman continued his push for the vice-presidency of the 19-person legislative body with some success. Bowman solicited pledges from Tommy Hazouri, Greg Anderson, and Sam Newby, in an attempt to break a 3-3 deadlock with his opponent, Scott Wilson. Newby was sold without little prodding, noting that while he and Bowman were on opposite […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 8, 2017

The World Affairs Council’s loss is the world stage’s gain. President Donald Trump appointed Jon Huntsman to be Ambassador to Russia on Wednesday. And for Jacksonville residents, there were hints that deal was struck hours before it went out to the media Wednesday evening. An internal email to World Affairs Council members told the tale around midday: “Jon […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 8, 2017

Even as Enterprise Florida faces the chopping block in the Florida House, Jacksonville politicians are seeking to save it while there is still time. On Wednesday, Councilmen Jim Love and Aaron Bowman met to discuss a resolution of support for the beleaguered EFI, a concept they had discussed a week prior. The salient numbers for Councilman Love: […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 8, 2017

H.R. 1294, the Reducing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acquisition Cost Growth Act, seeks to stop wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars by agencies like the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On Wednesday, the bill — a priority of first-term Republican Rep. John Rutherford — […]

Jax
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Jacksonville Bold for 3.10.17 — Dialing down expectations

Opioid overdose crisis becomes top priority for Jacksonville policy makers

Jay Fant is down on bill that would end Enterprise Florida

Lenny Curry, Rob Bradley committees and Travis Cummings pace Northeast Florida February fundraising

Jax councilor’s family business, Jacksonville spar over eco dev default

Charles McBurney files for 4th circuit judgeship

Aaron Bowman takes lead in Jacksonville City Council VP race

To Russia with love: Jon Huntsman postpones Jacksonville speaking gig

Jacksonville City Council support for Enterprise Florida builds

John Rutherford Homeland Security spending reform bill clears U.S. House committee