Jax

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2017

During the five-year debate ahead of Jacksonville codifying LGBT rights in its Human Rights Ordinance this week, opponents often couched their rhetoric in the Christian gospels. However, with the bill having passed, the gospel of love has morphed into the rhetoric of hate. Getting the worst of it: Mayor Lenny Curry, who respected the supermajority of the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2017

While it’s uncertain as to whether or not the United Nations Security Council seeks advice from the Florida House, it’s being provided nonetheless. Rep. Jason Fischer joined an ever-growing list of sponsors of House Bill 231, a bill filed in January objecting to a 2016 United Nations resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. The Florida House […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2017

Wednesday morning saw Jacksonville leadership announce and discuss a new initiative that stakeholders hope will abate the surge in gun violence in the Northeast Florida city. This initiative, conceived during a conversation between the mayor and the state attorney last month, may prove to be an indispensable investigative tool at a reasonable price. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Sheriff Mike […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2017

This week, the Jax Daily Record, via a News Service of Florida story, advanced in print a meme that local reporters had discussed on Twitter: Lenny Curry as CFO. The Daily Record then moved the story forward, abetted by Atwater’s aide discouraging this outlet from asking him about the prospects of Curry as CFO on […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2017

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who looks very much like a candidate for Florida Governor in 2018, will be in Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon. The topic of what is being billed as “intimate roundtables” by local Democratic organizers sounds like what one might hear from a statewide candidate also. Gillum will discuss his “vision for the great state […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2017

Almost five years after it was first put up for a council vote, Jacksonville’s legislators finally passed an expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) on Tuesday. The bill passed 12-6, with Councilmen Matt Schellenberg, Sam Newby, Danny Becton, Bill Gulliford, Doyle Carter, and Al Ferraro in opposition. The HRO expansion offers long-awaited protections for the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

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Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti serves in an appointed role, yet on Tuesday, he offered epistolary advice to the Jacksonville City Council. That counsel? Expand the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to protect people at work, in the housing market, and in the realm of public accommodations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

The song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing“, called the “black national anthem” by some, is among the most iconic in American history … and it has a Jacksonville connection. James Weldon Johnson wrote the lyrics as a poem. His brother set the words to music, and 117 years ago this month, the song was performed […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

Last week, Ron Salem became the first candidate to file for 2019’s Jacksonville City Council races. The Southside Republican, running to replace termed-out John Crescimbeni in At-Large Group 2, is almost immediately set up as the candidate to beat in that race. The proof: an invite for a fundraiser next week, featuring an all-star list of supporters that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

While the Human Rights Ordinance expansion is the biggest item being considered Tuesday by the Jacksonville City Council, it’s not the only one. Below, a preview of what to watch in Council Chambers. *** Margin Call: On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council has a decision to make: will the city protect LGBT rights as other major […]

Jax
Now it's time for Florida to start cleaning up.

After HRO expansion passes, opponents vent their rage at Lenny Curry

Jason Fischer co-sponsors bill objecting to UN condemnation of Israeli settlements

Could NIBIN stem the tide of gun violence in Jacksonville’s streets?

Lenny Curry talks CFO, HRO, and pension deal

Andrew Gillum to discuss ‘vision’ in Jacksonville

Jacksonville passes HRO expansion, secures LGBT rights

Nikolai Vitti: ‘Expand the HRO’

State money sought for ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ Park

Ron Salem kicks off 2019 Jacksonville City Council race with high-powered fundraiser

HRO expansion is not the only story in Jacksonville City Council Tuesday