Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Drew WilsonApril 28, 2016

Rubio-Curry-meeting-04.28-copy-3500x5000.jpg

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio called on Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro to fix his agency’s “faulty” inspection process Wednesday after meeting with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Garrett Dennis. “What is happening in Jacksonville has unearthed a problem that must be resolved, and we remain committed to protecting the health and safety […]

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

10847727_1384039958572583_8372664639123184826_o-3500x5000.jpg

Out of all of the first-term Jacksonville City Council members, District 9 Democrat Garrett Dennis arguably does the best job playing the inside game. Monday’s meeting between leaders in the communities of his sprawling Westside district, at-large Council members, and him was a good indication why. For close to two hours, all five at-large Council members heard from […]

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 20, 2016

10903884_1377369782571879_940179360091474229_o-1024x1024.jpg

Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Brown made a public relations mistake on Tuesday. He got quoted playing “blame the media” with the top news station in town, regarding the scandal-plagued slumlords of Global Ministries Foundation. “My position, if I can get things done without bringing the media and the cameras to the residents that are economically challenged, […]

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: Garrett Dennis

Jax Council committee tackles human trafficking, sexual predator bills

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

Marco Rubio calls on HUD to fix ‘faulty’ inspection process in Jacksonville

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

At large Jax Council members hear District 9 concerns

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

Jax Council electronic communications special committee kicks off

Does Reggie Brown have a Global Ministries Foundation problem?

Jax Rules passes controversial property donation bill with amendments