Jax

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2016

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The Florida House held a second reading Tuesday of Jacksonville’s “pension tax” bill, which would facilitate a referendum to extend the current half-cent sales tax 30 years and devote it to paying off Jacksonville’s $2.6 billion of unfunded pension liability. The debate before the full House went well. Going into the House session, those familiar […]

Melissa RossFebruary 23, 2016

The Hillary Clinton campaign, already aggressively running phone banks across Florida, will kick off its first door-to-door canvassing effort in Jacksonville on Saturday morning. “We’ve got a huge focus on field, making phone calls and knocking on doors, really to have those conversations with as many people as possible to let them know the primary […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2016

Another big endorsement for HD 11 Republican Sheri Treadwell was revealed Tuesday, in the form of former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford. “Effective public servants must have strong core convictions and the courage to act on them. That’s exactly the kind of leader Sheri Treadwell is,” said Rutherford in a statement. “She will be a strong conservative presence […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

Tuesday and Wednesday will be big days for the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill (CS/CS/SB 1652) that Jacksonville wants passed to address its unfunded pension liability. On Tuesday, the House is scheduled to consider the bill on the House floor. Then, on Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee it to consider the bill. That will be the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council has been wrestling with the issue of blight created by donation bins for some time, with a legislative process that has been less than conclusive. A meeting this month was Council’s latest attempt to formulate legislation that would address the issue. And there have been at least preliminary inquiries into a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

Parking downtown may get more expensive for Jacksonville’s city employees in the upcoming fiscal year, if a 2014 ordinance is allowed to sunset. In an email to CAO Sam Mousa, OED head Kirk Wendland notes that “Ordinance 2014-438-E gave all City employees who are monthly parkers at municipal owned parking garages operated by Public Parking a 50% […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

FloridaPolitics.com had a look last week at the numbers behind Jacksonville’s “pension tax” bill, designed to repurpose/extend the Better Jacksonville Plan half-cent sales tax. With the bill on the House Special Order calendar for Tuesday, a last-minute amendment was filed. “The payroll of all employees in classifications covered by a closed retirement plan or system that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council will attempt to fix its written communications policy, and finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane. The two bills will likely take up the most time in deliberation, with opportunities for both honest disagreement and tub-thumping demagoguery on both. The written communications bill, […]

Melissa RossFebruary 22, 2016

News of a stalemate on the homeless situation in Daytona Beach is discouraging advocates hoping for a resolution to the longstanding issue. Groups of homeless had set up a makeshift camp in front of the county administration building last month. That led to county officials offering to provide land and $4 million for the construction of […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

HD 12 Republican Don Redman has been slow to fundraise thus far, a distant third in the race despite having filed more than a year ago. That said, Thursday evening represents a potential change. Redman will hold a fundraiser at the Fraternal Order of Police building from 6:30 to 8:30. Hosting the event: Scott Wilson, Redman’s former […]

Jax
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Jax pension tax bill passes 2nd major House hurdle

Hillary Clinton campaign to kick off first Jacksonville canvassing on Saturday morning

John Rutherford endorses Sheri Treadwell in HD 11

Tuesday, Wednesday to be big for Jacksonville pension-tax bill

Textile recycling could figure in Jacksonville’s future

Jax city employees may pay more for parking next fiscal year

Jax pension tax bill gets final amendment before House Special Order calendar

Jax Council to mull written communications bill, John Keane deal

Daytona Beach homeless issue at stalemate as local advocate is investigated

Don Redman kicks HD 12 fundraising machine into gear