Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressJune 16, 2015

People caught with small amounts of marijuana could soon get a civil citation instead of a jail term in Florida’s largest county, which may become the first in the state to treat marijuana possession as a non-criminal act. The Miami-Dade County Commission is considering a proposal to let police issue $100 civil citations for possessing […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

3:54: Some animated discussion over what’s in the Journey budget, versus what once was. Many Journey items have been moved to other departments. 3:56: Juvenile Re-Entry Center. The JREC provides help, counseling, et al. Free clothes, job programs, and so on. 3:58: A significant increase in the out of school suspension budget, at the expense […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

Assuming these two are not controversial, these discrete budget items will be combined in this blog. As has been previously stated, we are covering the complete run of Transition Executive Director Sam Mousa‘s budget review meetings with the various city department heads. 2;58: Tax Collector piece starts now. Driver’s license renewal fees are up. “Increased revenue […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

The afternoon session of Transition Executive Director Sam Mousa‘s budget reviews with Jacksonville’s city departments begins with a foray into the Finance Department’s budget. On hand were Glenn Hansen and Ronnie Belton from the Alvin Brown administration. 1:15: Assistant Budget Officer Angela Moyer starts. The revenue piece from the Jax Pier is $36,000. Salaries and benefits up $48,000. Looking for additional […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJune 16, 2015

An $80 billion budget deal spells victory for downtown St. Pete. Under the budget compromise the University of South Florida St. Pete will receive $12.3 million for its Kate Tiedemann College of Business. The funding is necessary to complete a new building for the college behind the existing Piano Man building west side of the campus. “It’s […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

One of the things that Transition Executive Director Sam Mousa has complained about during the Lenny Curry mayoral transition is the use of the Banking Fund. Based on the tail end of Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting, it seems like he has some allies. By unanimous consent, the committee approved a move to get a bill […]

Guest AuthorJune 16, 2015

Let’s list the reasons why the Florida A&M University board of trustees is a total farce. No, it’s too much labor. Better to say the infestation of egos has made that board the laughingstock of state university boards of trustees. Or should. Chairman Rufus Montgomery again has found a way to interject his sexist machismo […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

The latest in a series of Jax Transition Budget Review blogs for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and Jacksonville Port Authority. 10:26: Sam Mousa just kvetched to Ron Littlepage about the library budget. “They have $1.5M. They need to spend what they’ve got.” 10:30: Mousa seems to want this to be a quick meeting. Library running 30 minutes over is […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

In Jacksonville City Council’s Rules Committee on Monday, John Crescimbeni’s resolution [2015-350] against seismic testing off of Jacksonville’s coast was voted down by a 4-3 margin, just two weeks after it passed in this same body. The deciding vote last time, Stephen Joost, was for it before he was against it. No votes were Robin Lumb, Joost, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

The third session of Tuesday morning is for the Library budget, which is perpetually under siege. 9:30: The library representative has offered a narrative story in brochure form. Sam Mousa prefers to talk about the numbers. 9:32: Overdue fines are being deposited into an account for capital improvements. Projected to be over $950K Mousa wants to […]

Uncategorized

Largest Florida county proposes citations for pot possession

Jax Transition budget review: Jacksonville Journey

Jax Transition budget review: Tax Collector and Clerk of Court

Jax Transition budget review: Finance department

USF St. Pete rakes in huge budget win with $12.3 million appropriation for business school

Jax Banking Fund subject of skepticism

Chris Timmons: FAMU trustees’ egos fail school’s best interests

Jax Transition budget review: Jacksonville Aviation and Port Authorities

Stephen Joost flips on seismic testing; notes from Jax Council 6/15 Rules Committee meeting

Jax Transition budget review: Jacksonville Public Library system