Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 19, 2016

When FloridaPolitics.com asked Jacksonville City Councilman Aaron Bowman why he introduced a bill to bring slots to Jacksonville via the politically connected bestbet, Bowman’s answer was pragmatic. “It’s about jobs” and the city’s “financial well being,” Bowman said, noting that jobs are created on both the operations side and the maintenance side for the machines. The city will get […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2016

Passage of 2016-300, which authorizes the referendum to extend the half-cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax to address the city’s $2.7 billion unfunded pension liability, seemed to be a certainty before Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting. After public comment, hand wringing from some council members, and tub thumping from others, it was approved 19 to 0 […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

A controversial bill, 2015-519, changing guidelines for city donation of vacant, buildable lots owned by the city after tax reversion for affordable housing inventory purposes, was passed by Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday. The bill doubles the permissible value of properties that can be dispensed to CHDOs and other affordable housing non-profits from $25,000 to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry addressed the City Council Tuesday evening, regarding 2016-300, the ordinance setting an August referendum for the pension tax. Curry noted that with Council support, “we now have the opportunity to save our city from financial ruin,” by extending the half cent sales tax, before speaking to “critics” who want a new sales tax, saying […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is expected to address the City Council Tuesday evening, and the subject will be 2016-300, the ordinance setting an August referendum for the pension tax. Council won’t be a hard sell. The entire Council co-sponsored the resolution authorizing Curry to explore the referendum ahead of the 2016 legislative session, and the referendum […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

A Jacksonville City Council Special Committee comprised of the Finance and Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety (RCDPHS) committees tackled on Monday a controversial bill, 2015-519, which regulates property donation of the 436 parcels under city ownership. The bill, passed on Monday, will be on Tuesday’s Council agenda as an addendum item. 2015-519, which […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 20, 2016

Ideas have consequences, goes the maxim. So does, it turns out, texting on budget night. Consequences including media and internal scrutiny, and, in Jacksonville, a special committee on electronic communications. The committee, chaired by Councilman Sam Newby, was charged with looking at Council policy regarding electronic communication, and exploring storage options for archived text messages, and […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2016

A Jacksonville LGBT activist claims there was a backroom deal to spike the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) in exchange for Sen. Aaron Bean supporting the pension tax referendum in Tallahassee. Meanwhile, local leaders, including Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Tommy Hazouri (sponsor of the HRO bill that was pulled), refute the claim. Hazouri said that his decision to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 15, 2016

In a move that will surprise the casual observer, Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri pledged to support Doyle Carter for VP Friday. Hazouri, a Democrat, had been mulling the choice between Carter, a Republican, and John Crescimbeni, a fellow At Large Democrat. Crescimbeni, in a meeting with Hazouri and Councilwoman Katrina Brown last week, took hard questions about […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 13, 2016

When Governor Rick Scott visits a Florida town, odds are good that job creation is on the agenda. Wednesday in Jacksonville was no exception. Scott announced that Novolex will be expanding their Hilex Poly brand manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, which will create 25 new jobs and invest $6 million in the local community. Novolex makes plastic […]

Tag: Aaron Bowman

Jacksonville pols grapple with slots referendum legislation

Jacksonville City Council authorizes August pension tax referendum

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

Lenny Curry to address Jax City Council Tuesday on pension tax referendum

Jax Council special committee OKs property donation bill, 2015-519

Jax Council electronic communications special committee kicks off

Did Aaron Bean kill the Jacksonville HRO?

Tommy Hazouri backs Doyle Carter for Jax Council VP

Rick Scott honors Jax company, ceremonially signs tax cut bill