Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

The second transition team budget review of Wednesday: the Regulatory Division. This was hard to watch at times. 1:57: Starts off with discussion of General Fund activity, and departmental rollup, then goes into revenues. 1:58: Sam Mousa wonders why fewer permit applications are expected year over year. The fee has been reduced, yet there are […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

With some downtime before this next group comes in, a Whitman’s Sampler of other items from Sam Mousa and the group. Red Light Camera revenue is first up. The expectation, as conveyed last week, is that revenue in any given red light camera goes down, as people get used to the light. Some discussion as to […]

Melissa RossJune 24, 2015

With resolutely positive messaging, outgoing Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is reflecting on his four years in office by noting the accomplishments that he says make him most proud: pension reform, downtown development, and the growth of the city as a sports and entertainment destination. On the pension deal: “I’m very happy for the hardworking taxpayers […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

The Downtown Investment Authority met with Lenny Curry‘s “budget SWAT team” helmed by Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa last week, and it didn’t go so well. Aundra Wallace is back for a second round as the first budget review of Wednesday. 12:50 p.m.: The mood is considerably lighter than the previous DIA session. Mousa made a point of shaking […]

Guest AuthorJune 24, 2015

I am more than a number. That’s the mantra I keep repeating to myself as I talk to Thomas, a bright young man who sounds like a twenty-something, about my struggles with stress, exercise and time management. You see my health care provider through the school district has targeted me for three heart health-coaching sessions. […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

Locals in Jacksonville had not paid much attention to Alex Patton, a Gainesville Republican political consultant, until relatively recently. However, he and his front group, PausePot.org, managed to insinuate themselves into the local political discourse two weeks ago by getting a moratorium banning Charlotte’s Web cultivation, distribution, or processing for 180 days. The moratorium was passed at […]

Mitch PerryJune 24, 2015

Although he’s been in politics for a long time now, Joe Gruters has just became a political candidate for the first time in 15 years. The 38-year-old Republican Party chairman of Sarasota County and vice chair and head of fundraising for the Republican Party of Florida recently announced his candidacy for the House District 73 […]

Martin DyckmanJune 24, 2015

Pope Francis‘s encyclical on saving the world — “our common home” — from what we are doing to it is a powerful appeal to everyone, not just to those who belong to the church he leads. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism — my denomination — praised Francis for having “shone a Catholic spotlight […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

With less than a week before he takes office, Lenny Curry‘s new administration is taking shape. “As I promised the taxpayers of Jacksonville, it is my intent to bring to government the best and brightest to serve with honor and integrity, and the team that we are assembling represents both great talent and a strong commitment […]

Drew WilsonJune 23, 2015

South Pasadena Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters has drawn an opponent for her District 69 re-election bid in Libertarian Robert Saviola, according to Florida Division of Elections records. The Treasure Island candidate is an Air Force veteran, conservative talk radio host and hypnotist who teaches “covert hypnotism” and “neurolinguistic programming techniques.” He also appeared in the […]

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Image via AP.

Sam Mousa, Mike Weinstein give COJ Regulatory Division a budget lesson

Jax transition budget meeting: Interstitial notes

Alvin Brown says, “I kept my promises”

Jax transition budget meeting: Downtown Investment Authority (take 2)

Catherine Martinez: Numbers can miss mark in health, learning

For Alex Patton, PausePot.Org is nothing new

Joe Gruters begins transition from party insider to political candidate

Martin Dyckman: Jeb cherry-picks where to enforce his faith

Lenny Curry makes 4 key hires for his administration

Radio host, hypnotist to challenge Kathleen Peters in HD 69