Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 4, 2015

The rains have been hitting this writer’s portion of Duval County all day, dousing the usual neighborhood fireworks wars. This is symbolically fitting, as the Volokh Conspiracy blog at the Washington Post likewise dumped cold water all over a recent fevered ruling of Judge Mark Mahon, which set strict limits on permissible speech at the Duval County Courthouse, as “clearly […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 4, 2015

Independence Day is a time for celebration and reflection for all Americans. For the Winn-Dixie grocery chain, it is also a time for giving back. On Saturday morning at the Winn-Dixie Lakewood location, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry met with Southeastern Grocers CEO and President Ian McLeod and Steven Nardizzi, CEO of Wounded Warrior Project, to celebrate Winn Dixie’s […]

Guest AuthorJuly 4, 2015

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday formally called Independence Day but more commonly known as the Fourth of July, visions of fireworks, barbecue and red, white and blue come to mind. But, taking a step back, I think a more apropos name, albeit less patriotic sounding would be to call it Symbols Day. Most […]

Phil AmmannJuly 3, 2015

First-term St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Darden Rice has said she will not seek the 13th Congressional District seat now held by Republican David Jolly. Rice, a 45-year-old Democrat, said she wants to focus her energy on local issues, such as the city’s recently adopted wage theft ordinance. In an email to Florida Politics on Friday, Rice […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 3, 2015

At Thursday’s lunch meeting between the Jacksonville City Council and Mayor Lenny Curry, a surprisingly robust topic was the issue of grants. Councilman Tommy Hazouri said that the city had “missed the boat” on effective grant writing during the Alvin Brown administration. John Crescimbeni talked about the use of outside grant writers, and how $30,000 over two years […]

Guest AuthorJuly 2, 2015

By the time we left high school in June 1987, Cathy and I, along with most other students, were forever changed. The usual experiences were only part of it. We liked boys who didn’t like us back, changed our hair color, learned to drive, tried tequila, and went from Madonna to Motley Crue in the […]

Bob SparksJuly 2, 2015

For all of Charleston, S.C.’s attractiveness, history will always record that the Civil War began there 154 years ago when rebels fired on Fort Sumter. The institution of slavery was the foundation of the conflict. History will also record that on June 17, 2015, a young gunman slaughtered nine good people in a racially motivated […]

Guest AuthorJuly 2, 2015

The teacher who taught state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, his ABCs, if he or she were around, should certainly regret it. Because — astonishingly, or maybe not — Fresen believes that the insights gleaned from a casual reading during a long airplane flight (Amanda Ripley’s “The Smartest Kids in the World,” according to Fresen) entitles […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

As part of a run of several new appointees to state boards and agencies, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he has picked retired Florida National Guard Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett for the board that oversees the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The governor’s office noted that Burnett, a 70-year-old resident of St. Augustine, is […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 2, 2015

During Thursday’s lunchtime meeting between Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and most of the members of the city council, many topics were discussed. One of them was Curry’s intention to send a letter to city employees. During the meeting, the mayor said, “All employees are going to get a message … saying that we understand that the […]

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Washington Post: Duval County courthouse speech restrictions are unconstitutional

Lenny Curry lauds Winn-Dixie’s commitment to the Wounded Warrior Project

Gary Stein: Symbols and cymbals light up Fourth of July

Darden Rice won’t run for David Jolly’s congressional seat

Military and police grants going Jacksonville’s way

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Governor Scott, sign this man's death warrant

Bob Sparks: People have the right to fly the Confederate flag — on private property

Chris Timmons: Legislator misunderstands teaching and teachers

Rick Scott appoints Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett to UNF board

Mayor Lenny Curry writes letter to COJ employees