Local

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 12, 2016

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium saw a boost in attendance in the years since the 2011 release of “Dolphin Tale.” That spike in attendance contributed to a $2 billion economic boost to Pinellas County, according to an economic impact study released this week. The study found that 44,440 jobs were supported by the aquarium over the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

Solving the Unfunded Liability may be Lenny Curry’s spend of political capital. But if all goes right, and that is a big if, the Jax Journey renewal will be his legacy. And the city’s. In a media availability before Thursday’s Community Conversation on the Youth Violence prevention aspect of the Jax Journey, Lenny Curry spoke […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 11, 2016

Belleview Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley said Thursday he’s shifting his Senate campaign to newly redrawn District 12, because of incumbent Republican Sen. Alan Hays‘ decision to run for the Lake County elections supervisor post. “This district is my home. It is where I have done business, raised children, and served the public. I am honored […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

The big “heavy lift” for Jacksonville during the legislative session: getting Tallahassee’s go-ahead to “repurpose” the half-cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax, once it sunsets, to address the city’s $2.6 Billion Unfunded pension liability. The bill cleared the second and final House committee on Wednesday. But a big takeaway: statements made by some skeptics on […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

One of the roughest Jacksonville ZIP codes, 32209, was a place of epiphany for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on the campaign trail. Slayings and abject poverty in the area shocked his conscience, in a way roughly analogous to John F. Kennedy visiting Appalachia during the 1960 campaign. Curry vowed to address the crime, the blight, the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2016

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South Florida U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy will be in Tampa’s Davis Islands next month for a fundraiser to be held by former City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena. Murphy, a two-term representative from Jupiter, is running for the Democratic nomination for Senate against Orlando-area U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson. Despite the fact that nearly the entire Florida Democratic […]

Melissa RossFebruary 11, 2016

Newly released public records show that Duval County School Board member Connie Hall would like to see Superintendent Nikolai Vitti fired. Hall texted that sentiment in a message she sent this past fall to a school district employee, the records reveal. Records of emails and texts of Hall and two other Duval School Board members […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

The money race in HD 11 between Sheri Treadwell and Donnie Horner tightened further in January. As Horner’s momentum stalls, Treadwell’s surges. She’s close to catching Horner, who has about $76,000 cash on hand. Her $13,795 January brought her total up to $77,720, versus $8,554 spent. With a $10,000 personal loan, there is functional cash parity between […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 11, 2016

The Florida House passed a wide-sweeping tax cut package Thursday, setting the scene for negotiations with the Senate over the tax reductions. The House voted 96 to 17 to support the nearly $1 billion proposal, getting the support of several House Democrats. “Here’s in Florida we’re running counter-culture to many of the decisions that are […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

A Jacksonville City Council subcommittee took on the recurring issue of blight from donation bins for nonprofits, thrift stores, and such on Thursday. Last spring, the former Blight Committee struggled with the issue. A bill was passed prohibiting them, and then a lawsuit was filed by a company called Go Green on “free speech” grounds, […]

Local
Attorney General Pam Bondi listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting. Image via AP.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium pumps $2 billion into Pinellas economy, study finds

The Jax Journey: Lenny Curry’s legacy, and ours

Dennis Baxley shifts Senate campaign to newly redrawn SD 12

Lenny Curry discusses pension tax debate in Tallahassee

Lenny Curry on blight: “We’re here and we’re ready to take action”

Linda Saul-Sena to hold fundraiser for Patrick Murphy

“Fire him now!” texted Duval School Board member; Nikolai Vitti calls it “hostile work environment”

Sheri Treadwell closes HD 11 fundraising gap in January

House approves $1 billion tax cut package

Jax Council wrestles anew with donation bin blight