Jax

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2016

Rep. Corrine Brown and her chief of staff, Ronnie Simmons, face 24 charges between them related to the One Door for Education trial. Much speculation has been made as to when one would file for a separate trial. On Friday, Simmons filed for severance in a seven-page document. Simmons’ lawyer contends “the risk of prejudicial spillover is […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2016

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Katrina Brown renewed her push for citizen review boards for police shootings on Friday morning. It’s a heavy lift, as charter precludes such a board; however, a sheriff’s office reform task force last month suggested that such a mechanism may be a worthwhile reform, even as the police union opposed it. Brown has prioritized […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2016

A bill requested by the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry proposes to tighten definitions for what is and isn’t an academic degree. The bill, filed in the wake of a report that found would-be Neighborhoods Department head Derek Igou had a degree from an unaccredited college (thus driving his letter of resignation), seeks to tighten up […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2016

A pastor who was vocal in his opposition to expanding LGBT rights in Jacksonville is poised to become a member of the JEA Board, via recently filed legislation at the request of the mayor’s office. And in doing so, that pastor will fill the vacancy of a councilman who introduced a bill for an expanded […]

Peter SchorschDecember 2, 2016

Another legislative session, another heavy lift for the city of Jacksonville. The 2017 model: $50 million in state money for a project to remove and replace the ramps coming off the Hart Bridge into the sports complex. The road design, completed 50 years ago, has all the associated problems one might expect. Unsafe ramps, which […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2016

“Who knew what when?” That’s the question posed by Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police head Steve Zona in a two-paragraph open letter regarding the latest in Jacksonville’s police and fire pension fund drama. On Tuesday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry expressed frustration over problems with calculations of a “waiver” from the Jacksonville PFPF that could result in an […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2016

The keynote address at the First Coast Legislative Delegation meeting Thursday was delivered by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. Curry, in the manner of many stakeholders, sees a cohesive regional vision for Northeast Florida, and his pitch to Northeast Florida legislators addressed that. His message: as Jacksonville goes, so goes the region. As he said Wednesday at […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2016

Thursday saw a host of Northeast Florida stakeholders from the education, transportation, and healthcare sectors address the First Coast Legislative Delegation at Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute. Legislators from well beyond the First Coast, such as Gainesville Sen. Keith Perry, Lake City Rep. Elizabeth Porter, and Palatka Rep. Bobby Payne, are included in the delegation, which is a […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 30, 2016

Despite major turnover in the Duval County legislative delegation, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s priorities are largely unchanged. Money for public safety. Money for infrastructure, such as the city’s ongoing septic tank removal project. And one big ask: Curry wants $50 million in state money for Hart Expressway ramp modifications, noting the current setup has outmoded designs and creates […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 30, 2016

The Duval County Legislative Delegation selected a new chair and a new vice-chair on Wednesday, during a meeting in Jacksonville. Stepping down from the chair: Mia Jones, who reminded the new members that “home is where the rubber meets the road,” and to not fall into the trap of putting state issues over local concerns. Selected […]

Jax
Supporters celebrate the opening of a wheel-chair accessible playground at Anastasia State Park. Image via Florida State Parks Foundation.

Ronnie Simmons files to sever from Corrine Brown in One Door trial

For citizen review board in Jacksonville, a charter change is necessary

Jacksonville to tighten controls on academic credentials for city employees

Anti-HRO pastor Fred Newbill to replace Warren Jones on JEA Board

Jacksonville Bold for 12.02.16 — Another heavy lift

Jacksonville FOP fires back against mayor’s office in pension flap

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry outlines priorities to regional legislators

First Coast legislators mull education, transportation, healthcare needs

Jacksonville wants $50M to remove, replace Hart Bridge ramps at sports complex

Duval Delegation elects Jay Fant new chair, Aaron Bean vice-chair