Jax

Peter SchorschJanuary 27, 2017

Jacksonville Bold is back with a new format. Here we will offer our take on 10 of Northeast Florida’s biggest stories — beyond the blow-by-blow — explaining, as ever, why something is happening. And why it’s important. This edition will take readers inside issues related to the city’s legislative priorities, the Human Rights Ordinance debate, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2017

Surprising no one who has followed the issue over the years, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine sent Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry a letter this week opposing expansion of the local Human Rights Ordinance. Advocates want protections extended to the LGBT community in housing, employment, and public accommodations, such as bathrooms and locker […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2017

On Friday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott invoked the ongoing state of emergency in the wake of Hurricane Matthew to earmark $15.8 million for beach restoration in some Northeast Florida counties. St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Brevard Counties will benefit from the funds. Duval and Nassau Counties will not. The allocation prioritizes beach and dune restoration in areas […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2017

FloridaPolitics.com was first to tell you about Rep. Kim Daniels‘ bill in the Florida House to put religious expression back in schools. House Bill 303, the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act,” would ban school districts “from discriminating against students, parents, & school personnel on basis of religious viewpoints or expression,” and would require a school […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2017

Friday was judgment day for former State Rep. Charles Van Zant and his wife, Katherine Van Zant, via a hearing of the state ethics commission. The ethics complaints against the former state representative and his wife involve failure to disclose ownership of a condo in Orange Park. The income and co-ownership of the condo with Mrs. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2017

As in the movie “Groundhog Day,” in which a weatherman relives the same day until he gets it right, those following the Jacksonville City Council will notice a certain repetition this February 2. Despite there being no committee meetings for the council that week, one council member decided to call a public notice meeting to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2017

Friday is judgment day for former State Rep. Charles Van Zant and his wife, Katherine Van Zant. The two will be the stars of the show at Friday morning’s meeting of the state ethics commission. Former Rep. Charles Van Zant and his wife Katherine each face separate hearings covering the same material. The ethics complaints against the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2017

As with the morning collective bargaining session with the city’s fire union, the city of Jacksonville’s afternoon session with the police union saw a sweetened offer for police and corrections. But with the sweet comes the sour. The Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police held firm to the #YesToFRS position for new hires … and opened […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2017

A bill that passed the House 107-0 Thursday would provide shelter for Florida principals who had a questionable foreign court issue a cash judgement against them. HB 623, filed by Northeast Florida Republican Cord Byrd and co-sponsored by Rep. Frank White, offers additional circumstances in which an out-of-country foreign judgment need not be recognized. White, a candidate for Attorney General, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2017

On Monday, a political ally of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry filed a bill that would close the Florida Retirement System’s defined benefit plan to new cities. This is particularly relevant to Jacksonville’s police and fire unions, both of which want to see new hires put in the FRS defined benefit plan as a condition of collective bargaining. […]

Jax
Roy Black. Image via AP.

Jacksonville Bold for 01.27.17 – Back in business

Catholic Bishop: No to Jacksonville HRO expansion

Rick Scott authorizes $15.8 million for Northeast Florida beach restoration

Kim Daniels: ‘Put prayer back in school’

Ethics commission fines Charles Van Zant, wife for financial disclosure flubs

Jacksonville HRO public notice meeting slated for Groundhog Day

Leslie Dougher hammers Charles Van Zant ahead of Friday ethics meeting

Jacksonville, police union haggle over body cameras, pensions

Cord Byrd bill nixing questionable foreign court money judgments clears House

Jacksonville offers seven year agreement to firefighters in collective bargaining