Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

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On Monday, Jacksonville City Councilman John Crescimbeni attempted to get fellow Democrat Reggie Brown to join “Team Crescimbeni” and support his bid for council vice president. That support did not manifest. Instead his signature on a pledge letter, Brown offered a critique of institutionalized racism in council leadership. “It’s a broken system,” Brown said. “It’s been broken for […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 4, 2016

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On Wednesday afternoon, Jax Council vice presidential candidate John Crescimbeni solicited the support of fellow Democrat Garrett Dennis in a tight race against Republican Doyle Carter. Dennis had been expected to meet with Carter before Crescimbeni, but the meeting was cancelled as Carter was traveling. Because of that, Dennis was not prepared to sign on with Crescimbeni, he […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 3, 2016

Going into Tuesday, John Crescimbeni led Doyle Carter in the pledge race to be Jacksonville City Council vice president seven-to-five. Both candidates had scheduled meetings with pledges on Tuesday. Crescimbeni with Reggie Gaffney. And, later in the day, Carter with Matt Schellenberg. Some describe these meetings as “kabuki theater.” However, with the pledge count surprisingly close, these have become must-see […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 3, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council Recreation, Community Development, Public Health and Safety Committee tackled two unusual bills. The first bill requires “public awareness signs for human trafficking” to be displayed in “adult entertainment and massage/bodywork establishments.” The bill had gotten workshopped in a couple of public notice meetings, before making its way to committees […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 3, 2016

Jacksonville artists, your ship may finally have come in. Two Art in Public Places bills, totaling over $1 million in allocations, should be passed by the full Council Tuesday. An Art in Public Places bill, described as the “most significant investment in public art in Jacksonville history” by Tony Allegretti of the Cultural Council, also passed the […]

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 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 19, 2016

Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee mulled one controversial item on the agenda: 2015-519, the property donation bill. And passed it – with amendments. 2015-519 would raise to $50,000 the value of properties the city can donate to Community Housing Development Organizations (CHODOs) or to for-profits looking to create affordable housing on these vacant lots. […]

Tag: Doyle Carter

Jacksonville City Council authorizes August pension tax referendum

Is the Jax City Council system for choosing leadership broken?

Garrett Dennis holds off on backing John Crescimbeni for Jax Council VP

Jax Council VP race tightens up three weeks ahead of vote

Jax Council committee tackles human trafficking, sexual predator bills

Committees OK Art in Public Places money. Next stop, full Jax Council

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

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

Jax Rules passes controversial property donation bill with amendments