Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2017

The phones were lit up Friday morning when FloridaPolitics.com visited the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. The subject: Curry allowing the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to become law, albeit without his signature. When asked Wednesday about not signing the HRO into law, the mayor cited his position that he did “not believe that legislation was necessary” […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2017

Almost five years after it was first put up for a council vote, Jacksonville’s legislators finally passed an expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) on Tuesday. The bill passed 12-6, with Councilmen Matt Schellenberg, Sam Newby, Danny Becton, Bill Gulliford, Doyle Carter, and Al Ferraro in opposition. The HRO expansion offers long-awaited protections for the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

11013198_930358187024604_2367162838417328065_n-1024x1024.png

Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti serves in an appointed role, yet on Tuesday, he offered epistolary advice to the Jacksonville City Council. That counsel? Expand the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to protect people at work, in the housing market, and in the realm of public accommodations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2017

A familiar sight at the Jacksonville City Council meetings of late: Blake Harper. Harper, staunchly opposed to the city’s proposed expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity, has shown up at meetings of the full council and committees with a large Bible under his arm for the whole meeting. While […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2017

The Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee approved the expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance on Wednesday morning. The measure was approved by a 4-3 vote, with Bill Gulliford, Sam Newby, and Matt Schellenberg opposing expansion. The expansion would add sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to the list of protected categories under the ordinance, which ensures […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 7, 2017

The Rules Committee of the Jacksonville City Council was the second committee in two days to approve expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance. The measure would extend protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The Rules meeting saw two co-sponsors of the HRO expansion […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

Monday morning saw the first of three Jacksonville City Council committees approve the latest attempt to expand the Human Rights Ordinance. The vote was 4-2. The measure would extend protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. As well, the bill offered in its original form […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2017

In Houston for the Superbowl, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan broke with the city’s right wing on two hot-button issues. Khan, a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, came out against the controversial Donald Trump immigration/travel ban from seven majority-Muslim countries. And, for good measure, he expressed — to a national publication — his support for the expansion of […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2017

A sign of the times in Jacksonville’s City Council as discussion of expanding the Human Rights Ordinance begins next week: requests for press passes to the February 14 meeting when the full vote is expected to occur are already being taken. The public hearing in January drew an overflow crowd to the council chambers, leading […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

On Thursday, opponents of Jacksonville’s proposed expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance had their say in the Council Chambers. Councilman Bill Gulliford, launching the meeting, noted the passion surrounding this issue, which is now in its fifth year of being debated citywide. “I decided to have this meeting for several reasons,” Gulliford said, including “objective discussion” of […]

Tag: 2017-15
Image via AP.

Religious right to Lenny Curry: ‘keep your promise’ on HRO

Jacksonville passes HRO expansion, secures LGBT rights

Nikolai Vitti: ‘Expand the HRO’

Jax HRO opponents plan seven-day fast, praying for ‘extreme confusion’

Jacksonville HRO clears final city council committee

HRO clears second Jacksonville City Council committee

Amended HRO expansion bill clears first Jacksonville City Council committee

Shad Khan: No to Muslim Ban, Yes to HRO

HRO onslaught hits Jacksonville City Council committees starting Monday

Jacksonville LGBT rights opponents speak; Bill Gulliford talks HRO referendum