Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2016

In a drama-free move, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee approved a bill authorizing a referendum on extension of the half-cent sales tax on Monday. Bill 2016-300 passed unanimously as an emergency measure. CFO Mike Weinstein noted that the referendum would close the three existing pension plans, which created the $2.7 billion unfunded pension liability. “The beauty […]

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

In classic Jacksonville City Council fashion, a simple, well-intentioned bill mandating anti-human trafficking signs in massage parlors and adult entertainment establishments has led to committees tabling it and to the second of two public notice meetings on Tuesday. Councilman Tommy Hazouri‘s original bill got pushback from Councilman Danny Becton, among others, and now the two Council members […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

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A bill (2016-198) designed to appropriate a quarter million dollars of contingency money to a Hemming Park stage, got pushback in a Jacksonville City Council special committee Monday. Councilman John Crescimbeni said “the bill’s not ready for prime time,” while Finance Chair Bill Gulliford noted that it might be time to have a look at the long-range, five-year plan […]

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

On Monday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee deferred property donation and human trafficking signage bills, and OKd Project Rex, which is expected to bring an Amazon distribution center to Jacksonville. **** 2015-519, a bill that would allow change the city’s rules for property donation that has circulated for nine months now, was considered Monday […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 12, 2016

Expectations that a controversial bill on increasing the value of property the city may donate to developers from $25,000 to $50,000, would be discharged for discussion came to pass, at the urging of Councilman Bill Gulliford, during Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting. Council had already promised further discussion on 2015-519 in the Neighborhood Improvement and Community Enhancement […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee resumed Monday after its “fifth week” break, considering contract disparity and pension fund issues, along with a surprisingly controversial bill on human trafficking signs that was deferred after some discussion. • A presentation on investment management expenses of pension funds, including the Police and Fire Pension Fund and the […]

Tag: Danny Becton

Jax Finance Committee approves pension tax referendum

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

Jax Council members discuss human trafficking sign legislation

Hemming Park stage money hits snag in Jax Council committee

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

Jax Council electronic communications special committee kicks off

Jax Council Finance Committee defers property donation, human trafficking bills, OKs Project Rex

Jacksonville City Council discusses controversial property donation bill, defers action

Jax Finance Committee talks pension fund, disparity study