Local

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

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An interesting development out of Jacksonville’s Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety committee: Reggie Brown going off on the Public Service Grants council criteria, and then (more interestingly) addressing the removal of people from volunteer boards, which was a big part of the early days of the Lenny Curry administration as he removed Alvin Brown appointees and […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

One of the more interesting results of the 2011 Jacksonville City Council elections: Matt Schellenberg beating Jack Webb. Schellenberg, in his second term, is pushing legislation for a referendum to extend consecutive terms for Council members, constitutional officers, and the mayor to three terms. This would, as the bill now stands, allow Schellenberg to stand for re-election. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

In an email to supporters, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality claims that Lenny Curry opposes a referendum on the expansion of the HRO. “The Mayor also made clear to JCE leadership that he is opposed to a ballot measure on this issue. No one wants to see the City roiled by months of divisive advertisements and hours-long […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

Jon McGowan, former owner of McGowan Firearms, should’ve had his Kevlar handy when The Florida Times-Union took aim Monday. Their charge is that overdue sales taxes should have blocked McGowan from getting a $150,000 grant from the Jacksonville Tourist Development Council to promote his Shooting and Outdoor Convention. The TDC guidelines require being current in […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott admitted two Jacksonville civil rights legends, Earl M. Johnson and Rutledge Pearson, to the Civil Rights Hall of Fame on Monday. Johnson was the first African-American member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, and during Consolidation, was secretary on the Local Government Study Commission. As a lawyer, Johnson was instrumental in the desegregation of schools, parks, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

One of the most hot-button issues before Jacksonville’s City Council is the decision whether to increase the number of terms city officials can serve. On Monday, it cleared its fourth and final committee. The Matt Schellenberg bill seeks to boost consecutive terms for the Jacksonville mayor, City Council, and Duval County constitutional officers from two to […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2016

With the Florida Legislature already powering through a third of their nine-week regular legislative session, board members with the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit agency (HART) expressed concerns on Monday regarding their chief legislative budget request for 2016. That would be a regional fare box system and smart card system — which would provide a uniform bus payment […]

Melissa RossFebruary 1, 2016

The team behind the innovative Illuminate Jax proposal to light up the Jacksonville skyline (with LED lights in office towers) is planning a mock-up run-through Tuesday night, and passers-by will be able to watch. You can check it out at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Bank Building, located at 100 N. Laura St. “Artful illumination […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee had an action-packed Monday meeting, highlighted by unanimous approval of two pension bills, FSCJ downtown housing, and Maxwell House incentives. Meanwhile, the Term Limit referendum proved more controversial. And the Safety Officer cure legislation discussion, as ever, was “delicate.” • • • 2015-422 would allow Police and Fire Pension Fund Board […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

The mystery establishment Republican entering the HD 12 GOP primary is no longer a mystery: Terrance Freeman filed on Monday. “This seat is about the future of Florida. I have a burning desire to use my experience in the private sector to serve the people of the 12th District in the Florida House of Representatives,” Freeman […]

Local
Secretary of State Marco Rubio/ Image via AP.

Reggie Brown attacks removal of people from Jacksonville volunteer boards

Is Jack Webb looking for a rematch against Matt Schellenberg?

Jax Coalition for Equality claims Lenny Curry opposes HRO ballot measure

Jon McGowan: “I know I’m an easy target”

Rick Scott admits 2 Jax legends to Civil Rights Hall of Fame

Jax term limit extension bill clears final committee

HART members contemplate WWJD – What will Jack Latvala do on fare box plan?

Illuminate Jax to stage mock-up at Jacksonville Bank Building

Jax Council Finance OKs pension bills, FSCJ downtown housing, term limit expansion

Terrance Freeman files to run in HD 12 GOP primary