Local

Associated PressAugust 25, 2015

Central Florida was the top destination of Puerto Ricans moving from metro San Juan to the mainland two years ago. New data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 6,200 Puerto Ricans moved to metro Orlando from the island’s capital in 2013. The New York metro area was the next most popular destination, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

From Aug. 13 through 15 second-term Jacksonville Councilman Matt Schellenberg attended the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Orlando, representing Jacksonville. All but two of Florida’s 412 cities are in the league. In a memo to Council President Greg Anderson, Schellenberg made an interesting observation about the state government. “There is universal agreement within the organization that […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

The Tuesday Jacksonville Electric Authority Special Committee meeting, which was promised to be a short one with “cleanup” from unaddressed points from the previous agenda, seemed like it would be uncontroversial enough. It began with a discussion of surge protectors. Councilman Bill Gulliford mentioned that Florida Power and Light is running a deal where they offer […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

On Wednesday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget hearings will proceed for the third and final week. Wednesday’s session begins at 9 a.m, about 12 hours after the regular council meeting Tuesday night. The big talkers likely will be the Capital Improvement Projects budget and the ever-controversial Banking Fund, which have been allocated 170 and […]

Frank TorresAugust 25, 2015

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs was favorable when asked whether she would support a ballot initiative that would go before the voters adding two districts to the current seven-member Orange County Commission. The Charter Review Commission has been considering a ballot initiative that would go before voters to add the seats. “I think it’s a […]

Ryan RayAugust 25, 2015

Rebecca Negron announced Monday she has gained the endorsements of further local elected leaders in her bid to represent Florida’s 18th Congressional District – State Attorney Bruce Colton, Chief Assistant State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl and Martin County Public Defender Diamond Litty have each pledged their support to Negron. Negron is seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, who […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

Florida Politics has learned that Jessica Baker, governmental consultant for Ballard Partners, has left the lobbying firm’s Jacksonville office to join the Lenny Curry administration, where she will be second in command in Intergovernmental Affairs under Ali Korman Shelton. Curry and his Chief Administrative Officer, Sam Mousa, were asked about the talk that had been circulating Tuesday morning. Answering […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

James Rinaman represents Old Jacksonville in many ways. A founder of Leadership Jacksonville, the influential training camp for aspirant civic leaders, and a former Chamber of Commerce president, Rinaman’s opinion brings with it a lot of historical insight. He was also a key supporter of former mayoral candidate Bill Bishop before the first election. In a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

Snipe sign legislation was first introduced in Duval County in 2010, as part of a bill adding them to the ordinance code. The big snipe sign bill was in 2014, which was described by Councilman John Crescimbeni on Monday in a special subcommittee meeting revisiting the subject, as a “pretty simple bill” that looked at what […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

The highlight of Monday afternoon’s St. Johns River Ferry Commission meeting, without question, was the review of the proposed transfer agreement between the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. There have been many twists and turns, yet it appears that the two parties are on track for a March 31 transfer. Though it […]

Local

Orlando top spot for residents leaving Puerto Rico’s capital

Matt Schellenberg reports that Florida cities “tired of unfunded mandates” from Tallahassee

Sam Mousa says JEA, Jacksonville “treat each other like strangers”

Jax Finance Committee sets Wednesday budget review schedule

Teresa Jacobs would support ballot initiative for 2 more seats on Orange County Commission

Rebecca Negron scoops up local endorsements in CD 18

Personnel note: Jessica Baker joins Lenny Curry administration

James Rinaman lambastes Lenny Curry for abolishing Jax port task force

Snipe sign debate renews historic Jax divides

JTA set for March 31 St. Johns Ferry transfer