Local

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

As members of the Lenny Curry administration will tell you, details regarding the proposal to extend the Better Jacksonville Plan half-cent sales tax until 2060 to pay off unfunded pension liability are still being ironed out. That includes in Tallahassee, where two variations on the same bill will be introduced, one in each chamber. State Rep. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

Going into Wednesday’s meeting in Jacksonville, state Sen. Audrey Gibson and NextGen Energy agreed that they were meeting, but not what they were meeting about. Gibson’s letter in December, promoting the event, concerned “engaging Faith Leaders to help with planning power for communities, with an eye towards 50 percent clean carbon-free energy by 2030.” “Engaging faith and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 6, 2016

The International Association of Firefighters has endorsed state Sen. Darren Soto in the Democratic nomination race for the Orlando-based Congressional District 9. Soto, whose legislative efforts included successfully pushing for passage of the “John Curry Firefighter Death Benefit Act,” announced Wednesday morning the endorsement from a union that represents over 300,000 firefighters and paramedics nationally. In a […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

“The people made it clear what they wanted,” a re-elected politician said. “I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and I intend to spend it.” That politician: George W. Bush, in 2004. Bush 43 learned about the finite power of political capital the hard way: seeing his father go from 91 percent approval ratings to […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 5, 2016

After the announcement Tuesday of the new numbered districts following a court-ordered redistricting because the Florida Senate couldn’t or wouldn’t do its job, Polk County still will have three state Senate Districts. But it could have at least two new senators after the 2016 elections. The districts won’t be in the same positions in the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2016

In the Riverside area of Jacksonville on Tuesday, a Donald Trump banner in a storefront window was defaced with Nazi iconography. SS insignia were painted on the glass, covering the collar of his shirt. A Hitler mustache, painted over his top lip. A swastika, emblazoned on his forehead. And the banner message? “Heil Donald Trump: Nazi […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2016

Jacksonville City Council’s Tuesday Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety (RCDPHS) committee meeting was highlighted by Pension Tax and Public Health talk, and an extended discussion of a controversial Fire and Rescue salary allocation from September’s budget hearings. The Health Department’s Kelly Wells announced new initiatives, such as the 60 Days to Better Health challenge […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2016

On Monday, the Jacksonville City Council Neighborhood Improvement and Community Enhancement Committee kicked off 2016. The ad hoc committee has become a source of consternation for many on Council, who note that it is unable to take action, and is just a deliberative committee. Some highlights included a further discussion of Land Bank issues and […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Democrat Randy Perkins took in a massive $1.35 million dollar haul during his first active month of running for Congress, his campaign announced Monday. The independently wealthy political novice raised about $425,000 from donors, as well as chipping in $1 million of his own money during the fourth fundraising quarter of 2015. Perkins is seeking to succeed […]

Scott PowersJanuary 4, 2016

A group that contends Israel has essentially locked Palestinians into an open prison and that Americans are paying for it, has placed a billboard in east Orange County denouncing American financial support for Israel. The group, If Americans Knew, has placed the billboard reading “$10 MILLION A DAY TO ISRAEL? Our money is needed in […]

Local

Travis Cummings, Rob Bradley discuss Jax pension tax proposal

Audrey Gibson, NextGen Climate hold community forum on clean energy

Darren Soto’s congressional bid wins endorsement of firefighters union

Lenny Curry, the pension tax, and political capital

In Polk County, new state Senate districts – and new intrigues

Donald Trump banner in Jax defaced with Nazi iconography

Jax rec committee talks public health, pension tax plan, JFRD budget

Jax NICE Committee kicks off 2016, discusses “Spring Clean Jacksonville”

Randy Perkins garners $1.35 million in first month for congressional bid

Orlando billboard urges end to Israel financial support