Local

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott announced the governor’s office would pitch in $50,000 in state funds to help with relief efforts in three Florida counties damaged by recent tornadoes. The money – administered through Volunteer Florida, the governor’s commission on volunteerism and service – will be matched by local authorities for a total of $100,000 overall for Escambia, Santa Rosa, […]

Associated PressMarch 16, 2016

A new report says St. Johns County near Jacksonville is the healthiest county in Florida, while Gadsden County in the Panhandle is ranked at the bottom. The report released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin compares health differences among counties. The variables used for the rankings include access to […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

In Wednesday’s meeting of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority, resolutions were passed in support of the Neighborhoods Department reorganizationanization, and of the referendum to approve an extension of the half-cent sales tax past 2030 to address Jacksonville’s unfunded pension liability. Both of these are key agenda items for the Lenny Curry administration. City Council should pass on […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

On Wednesday, Lenny Curry expressed optimism that Gov. Rick Scott will sign the bill allowing Jacksonville to have a pension tax referendum. “I feel good about where we are,” Curry said as he spoke to local media. He said the Governor’s decision to sign – or not – is the “last phase of the work in Tallahassee.” […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

A pair of Sarasota legislative races saw major changes this past weekend. Rep. Ray Pilon decided to forgo a 2016 re-election bid for a fourth term in the House in favor of a Senate District 28 campaign, leaving his Democratic opponent Edward James running unopposed in a coastal swing seat. Pilon said Tuesday his decision came from the resolution […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry was a strong Marco Rubio supporter. However, he said Wednesday, Florida voters emphatically made their decision. “I’m proud to have supported my friend,” Curry said, yet “the people spoke.” For Curry “it’s time to move on,” he said to a press gaggle, reinforcing comments he made Monday at a Jacksonville Marco Rubio Meet and […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

Jacksonville will retain the rights to the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, as Lenny Curry announced Wednesday an extension of the contract for five more years. “This is a big deal for Jacksonville,” Curry said, and for “both schools.” The deal extends the agreement to 2021, which will “mitigate any uncertainty,” with a window opening for re-negotiation of […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

“Citizens for Strong Schools Inc. v. Florida State Board of Education,” filed in 2009, finally is getting a hearing more than six years later. And Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who wasn’t around when it was filed, took the stand Wednesday in a Tallahassee courtroom. The plaintiffs contend that Florida fell short of school funding […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2016

Like may people in the Tampa Heights community that he represents, House District 61 Democrat Ed Narain was holding his breath when news broke on Tuesday that Gov. Rick Scott had vetoed $256 million in projects from the just concluded legislative session. The good news is that Narain’s request for $1.2 million to move what has become a […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2016

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A reliable source has told FloridaPolitics.com about an interesting exit poll outside of his polling place on the Southside of Jacksonville, related to School Board issues. The source, who is in the council district of Lori Boyer and the school board district of Ashley Smith-Juarez, was asked his opinion on a variety of matters, including the proposed […]

Local

Rick Scott announces $100k in tornado disaster relief for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Charlotte

Report: St. Johns County is Florida’s healthiest county

Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority supports Neighborhoods re-org, pension tax

Lenny Curry optimistic about Rick Scott signing pension tax legislation

Ray Pilon jumps into Senate race; Edward James now unopposed in HD 72

Lenny Curry “proud to have supported Marco Rubio,” but “the people spoke”

Florida/Georgia game extension rooted in “Relationships 101,” says Lenny Curry

Nikolai Vitti discusses “trauma of poverty” in Strong Schools testimony

Ed Narain proud of accomplishments in House, ready for Senate

Southside Jacksonville exit poll hits school board issues