Local

Melissa RossJanuary 11, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council meets Tuesday, and the entire 19-member body has sponsored a new bill that would repurpose the Better Jacksonville Plan with a half-cent sales tax to pay down the city’s massive unfunded pension liability. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says he’s willing to ask the voters to approve the idea with a referendum. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

Diann Catlin, a panelist at the third Community Conversation Lenny Curry held on expansion of the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance, clearly had more to say after that process wrapped, if a letter to the Jacksonville mayor suggesting a “treaty” on LGB rights, which she sent last week, bears significance. “All over our country no one has been […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2016

Orlando-based congressional candidate Val Demings has grabbed the biggest of Democratic congressional establishment endorsements with that of U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. In a statement Monday, Pelosi of California endorsed Demings in Florida’s 10th Congressional District, a place the Democrats hope to wrestle away from longtime Republican representation. With a new strong-Democratic lean to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

Two of the most powerful (and quotable) people on Jacksonville’s City Council, Finance Chairman Bill Gulliford and John Crescimbeni, met Monday afternoon to talk about Council leadership, specifically the latter’s VP bid. Crescimbeni, one of seven Council Democrats, is seeking the City Council vice presidency later this year, along with at least one other candidate (Rules […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

In the six-way brawl for the GOP nod in HD 11, every endorsement counts. And on Monday, Sheri Treadwell announced one. Former Florida Republican Women President Cynthia Henderson, in a statement, says Treadwell “will bring a strong conservative perspective to Tallahassee.” “Sheri Treadwell is hardworking, knowledgeable, and a thoroughly committed conservative woman,” said Henderson. “Her experience at […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

In Tuesday’s State of the State address, Gov. Rick Scott will recognize five Floridians working to “make Florida first.” Two are from Jacksonville. Dane Grey, the CEO of Elite Parking Services whom Scott honored in Jacksonville last year, will be recognized Tuesday on a much-bigger stage. In September, Scott gave a Young Entrepreneur Award to Grey, 29-year-old […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

In an exclusive telephone interview with Reggie Gaffney, the Jacksonville city councilman denied the speculation that had swirled last week, saying “none of that’s true.” Contrary to speculation, he had not been served a subpoena in relation to the Corrine Brown/Von Alexander investigation. Nor, as some had said, had he been served a target letter relative to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 11, 2016

Naples attorney Joe Davidow raised more than $3,000 in December, bringing his 2015 fundraising total to more than $23,000. Campaign finance reports show Davidow, who is running for the House District 80 seat, raised $3,750 in December. The Naples Republican received $1,000 donations from Roland Martin’s Marina in Clewiston and DeAngelis Construction in Naples, plus […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

Back in December, the Duval Delegation heard from dozens of speakers, all with their specific asks. The Port wants money for harbor deepening. The School District wants money for low-performing schools, as well as money to remedy safety issues and to boost technology. Jacksonville Transportation Authority: money for the Ferry. UF Health: money to overcome […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

2016-17, the bill repurposing Jacksonville’s Better Jacksonville Plan 1/2 cent sales tax for unfunded liability pension relief, is sponsored by the entire City Council. The bill resolves that relevant Florida statute “should be amended in order to permit counties with an already existing 1/2 penny sales surtax for infrastructure to extend and repurpose such tax for […]

Local

Labor lawyer pushes back on Lenny Curry pension plan: “We’re setting ourselves up for another crisis”

In ” just for you” letter, etiquette master Diann Catlin gives Lenny Curry Jax HRO “treaty” advice

Val Demings nabs Nancy Pelosi endorsement in CD 10 race

Bill Gulliford backs John Crescimbeni for Jax Council VP

Sheri Treadwell scores key endorsement in HD 11 GOP scrum

Rick Scott will recognize 2 Jacksonville men in State of the State

Reggie Gaffney denies subpoena/target letter talk

Naples Republican Joe Davidow raises more than $3K in December

Duval Delegation 2016 legislative priorities run the gamut

Entire Jax City Council co-sponsors Lenny Curry pension tax resolution