Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 31, 2017

Mayor-Lenny-Curry-Florida-State-Capitol-02242016-1024x1024.jpeg

Jacksonville’s big legislative accomplishment in the 2016 session was getting an unprecedented bill through Tallahassee, one which would allow the city to access the guaranteed revenue from a future sales tax extension, once it closed one of its three pension plans. As collective bargaining continues between the city and its unions, the 2017 session also […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2017

On Monday, a political ally of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry filed a bill that would close the Florida Retirement System’s defined benefit plan to new cities. This is particularly relevant to Jacksonville’s police and fire unions, both of which want to see new hires put in the FRS defined benefit plan as a condition of collective bargaining. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 24, 2017

Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri made his position clear Tuesday relative to legislation closing the Florida Retirement System’s defined benefit plan to new cities. The legislation, said Hazouri, is “dead on arrival.” [Worth noting: there is a House and Senate version of this bill. Rep. Jason Fischer filed House Bill 353, while Jeff Brandes filed Senate Bill 428. Each bill […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 23, 2017

House Bill 353 and Senate Bill 428, filed on Monday, would foreclose enrollment in the Florida Retirement System’s defined benefit plan to any city not currently involved. While the defined contribution arm of FRS would be open to new municipal entrants, the defined benefit option would not. The bill was filed in the Florida House by Jacksonville Republican […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 14, 2016

The crossroads for pension plans for new hires in Jacksonville is here, and is casting a shadow over virtually every aspect of the city’s future. The latest bond rating trip for the city, for example, saw the pension issue – and whether or not Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry will succeed in getting at least one […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 8, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wants new city hires on defined contribution plans. Public safety unions want the Florida Retirement System. And Rick Scott will let the locals figure it out, he said Thursday in Jacksonville. “That’s clearly a local decision. This community will make a decision on that,” the governor said. “I think what’s important with regard […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 22, 2016

In the wake of a contentious negotiation session between the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters and city negotiators, Mayor Lenny Curry called a Tuesday afternoon presser to reiterate his team’s negotiating position on Jacksonville’s pensions. Essentially, it boils down to a commitment to 401(k)-styled defined contribution plans for new employees. And it rules out the Florida Retirement System. Curry […]

Jim RosicaOctober 14, 2016

State economists on Thursday decreased the Florida Retirement System Pension Fund‘s expected rate of return on investments to 7.6 percent, from 7.65 percent. The Actuarial Assumption Conference had stalemated earlier in the week, with some wanting the rate held at 7.65 percent, and others arguing to go down to 7.5 percent. Don Langston, staff director of the House of Representatives’ […]

Jim RosicaOctober 11, 2016

State economists on Tuesday deadlocked over changing the state pension fund’s expected rate of return on investments. The Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference will meet again Thursday to see if members can compromise. Christian Weiss, economic policy coordinator for Gov. Rick Scott, argued for keeping the system’s assumed rate of return at 7.65 percent. But Don Langston, staff director […]

Jim RosicaAugust 16, 2016

State Sen. Jeremy Ring is lashing out against a government-efficiency task force report that again is recommending the state’s pension system be closed to new hires. Ring released a statement through the Florida Senate Democratic Office Tuesday. He is actually a member of the Task Force on Government Efficiency, having been appointed by outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner. […]

Tag: florida retirement system

Pushback emerges against bill closing FRS defined benefit plan to new cities

Jacksonville offers seven year agreement to firefighters in collective bargaining

Tommy Hazouri: FRS reform legislation is ‘dead on arrival’

Legislature mulls closing FRS defined benefit plan to new cities

John Rutherford, a former Jacksonville sheriff, discusses police pensions

Rick Scott: Jacksonville public pension debate a ‘local decision’

Lenny Curry: Yes to defined contribution, no to FRS

State economists lower expectations for pension fund

Economists agree to disagree on state pension fund

Jeremy Ring disowns task force’s pension reform move