Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

The two most high-profile supporters of a fully-inclusive Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) met Wednesday afternoon to talk strategy. Councilmen Tommy Hazouri and Aaron Bowman came together to talk about the bill that Hazouri introduced before the Council’s holiday break. Along with them, Councilmen Sam Newby and Reggie Brown showed up for the discussion, as did Council Vice President […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

There’s no doubt 2015 was an amazing year in Jacksonville politics. A new mayor, 11 new members of City Council, and intrigue in Corrine Brown’s redistricting saga were among a few top-level highlights. While we have a reasonable sense of what happened in Jacksonville politics in 2015, the next question is what happens in 2016. Hence, a […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

In 2014, Jacksonville had the sixth-worst divorce rate in the country. One might think, in that context, that an effort to “defend Jax families” might include marriage counseling or other assistance to couples conquering the rocky shoals of matrimony. One would be wrong. According to the good folks at DefendJaxFamilies.com, an adjunct of Florida Family […]

Melissa RossDecember 23, 2015

The messaging war over expanding Jacksonville’s HRO, or human rights ordinance, is heating up as Christmas draws near, with District 3 City Councilman Aaron Bowman the latest to enter the fray Bowman’s email inbox is already drawing hate messages, advocates say, after his piece in support of updating the ordinance to cover LGBT residents appeared […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 16, 2015

In the wake of Councilman Bill Gulliford calling for a referendum on expansion of the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance, one thing is clear. On the HRO, there is no clarity, with business community members, Council members, and the mayor’s office all singing from different hymnals. FloridaPolitics.com caught up with various Jacksonville VIPs today, and notable was […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2015

Could the recent Jax Chamber Leadership trip lead to a Better Jacksonville Plan part 2, modeled after the Oklahoma City vision? Or will the pension crisis preclude such an ambitious vision? On Monday, Council Member and JAX USA Senior VP Aaron Bowman, Council President Greg Anderson, and Council Member Anna Lopez Brosche, along with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 2, 2015

Can Jacksonville’s City Council be bought? When it comes to the Human Rights Ordinance, at least one out-of-state outfit thinks so. As first reported by WJXT, a Dallas outfit called Newstarter.com posits a provocative proposition: “Millionaires buy politicians. Now the PEOPLE can too! Buy City Council votes to pass the Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville,” says […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 24, 2015

The penultimate Jacksonville City Council meeting of the year, on “getaway day” before Thanksgiving break unofficially begins, had, in theory, a light agenda with expected heavy public comment on the HRO and related issues. In practice, though the agenda was light and the public comment was robust, the HRO commentary was surprisingly muted. The agenda […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 23, 2015

The Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County have arrived at a “semi-settlement” of their “Text-ghazi” lawsuit against the Jacksonville City Council members involved in forbidden texting during budget deliberations Sept. 21. Scott Wilson, Tommy Hazouri, Joyce Morgan, and Aaron Bowman agreed to terms. “Four of the nine city council members who were being sued over texting about […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 16, 2015

A crowded agenda greeted the seven stalwart members of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Monday, including economic development incentive deals. Some highlights: An economic development deal with Fidelity Global Brokerage group was approved. The city throws in $360,000 and the state, $1.44 million; 300 jobs would be created. Another one, “Project Revere,” creating […]

Tag: Aaron Bowman

Tommy Hazouri, Aaron Bowman talk HRO expansion bill; Bowman to co-sponsor

A.G. Gancarski’s 12 predictions in 2016 for Jacksonville politics

“Defend Jax Families” warns pro-HRO pols: “Your political careers will be over”

Councilan’s pro HRO op-ed generates hate mail, positive mail pushback

Legislative approaches diverge on Jax HRO

Jax Mayor, Council members talk OKC Chamber trip, PFPF pension issues

Can Jacksonville’s City Council be bought?

Jax City Council light on agenda, heavy on public comment

“Semi-settlement” reached on Jacksonville council’s “Text-ghazi”

Jax Finance Committee approves economic development deals