Jax

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2017

On Wednesday morning, the city of Jacksonville enhanced its pension/benefits offer to the police union. Wednesday afternoon saw a similar conversation with the fire union. Just as with the police union negotiations, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry was on hand at the fire union. The tone was more genial, with Curry and Wyse joking about some matters ahead […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2017

The city of Jacksonville and its police union resumed collective bargaining for the first time since November on Tuesday, with the sides starting far apart. The daylight between labor and management was significant as last year closed. There’s less daylight after the Wednesday session. The city made an improved offer, one which offers a bigger city […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

After an agenda full of bills that met little opposition in committees, the Jacksonville City Council turned its attention Tuesday evening to a familiar question: the HRO, which was up on first read with a planned vote on Valentine’s Day. For the third time in five years, Jacksonville legislators heard pros and cons of expanding […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

United States Rep. Al Lawson announced Tuesday his appointment to the Agriculture Committee, a key assignment for his largely rural North Florida district. “Agriculture is a more than $120 billion industry in Florida and one of the strongest pillars of our state’s economy supporting more than 2 million jobs,” said Lawson. “I am pleased to serve on […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

An “equal opportunity” bill introduced to the Jacksonville City Council by Garrett Dennis picked up momentum Tuesday, with a half dozen councilmembers and stakeholders attending a public notice meeting to discuss it. Dennis framed this bill as an attempt to ensure city agencies and independent authorities to “cast a broader net” in their hiring process. “This […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

At Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, expect opponents of LGBT rights to use the following talking points against HRO expansion. While advocates of expanding the Human Rights Ordinance believe that they have the votes to pass the third version of the bill, opponents see it as more of the same … and intend to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

The Jacksonville City Council starts off 2017 with an agenda light on controversial legislation, which presumably gives the body more time for HRO-related public comment. That said, the agenda Tuesday evening in Council Chambers is highlighted by notable board nominees and local bills to be pushed in Tallahassee. **** One interesting moment that likely will […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2017

The year 2017 has started off with people trying to pressure Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry into positions he thus far has resisted. Social liberals want the mayor to offer the kind of full-throated support of expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance that thus far has proven elusive. And the city’s unions, especially police and fire, want […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2017

Nearly five years have passed since the first attempt to expand Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance. This time, there is reason for optimism. For starters, we hear that Shad Khan — owner of the Jaguars, as you may recall — has “made some calls.” Khan is worried that the amphitheater may have a hard time drawing […]

Associated PressJanuary 7, 2017

President Barack Obama plans a quick trip to Florida on Saturday to attend the wedding of a longtime aide who wears several hats. Marvin Nicholson is the White House trip director and personal aide to the president. He’s also one of Obama’s most frequent golf partners. Nicholson and his fiancee, Helen Pajcic, are tying the […]

Jax
U.S. Senate. Image via AP.

Jacksonville, fire union make conceptual progress in pension reform talks

Lenny Curry sweetens pension offer to Jacksonville police, gives 30 days to respond

HRO reboot dominates Jacksonville City Council meeting

Al Lawson appointed to Agriculture committee

Jacksonville equal opportunity ordinance picks up momentum

Jacksonville HRO expansion opponents preview talking points, malign city council president

Jacksonville City Council to push local bills, notable board nominees Tuesday

Lenny Curry previews 2017 agenda at Meninak meeting

Jacksonville Bold for 1.7.17 — A time for choosing

Obama to attend aide’s wedding Saturday in Florida