Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 12, 2016

A national championship occasions many victory speeches, as the national champion Ribault Lady Trojans found out Tuesday afternoon. Hemming Park in Jacksonville was jampacked with hundreds of well-wishers in Trojan Blue. And the stage was no less packed, with over a dozen politicians ranging from School Board and City Council members to Mayor Lenny Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 6, 2016

In Wednesday’s Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire Committee, representatives for Transportation Network Companies had their say. Speakers such as a Senior Public Affairs Associate from Uber, Cesar Fernandez, spoke to clarify the ridesharing industry’s position. Fernandez noted the industry commitment to background checks, vehicle inspections, and other safeguards that have assured local jurisdictions, such as […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2016

Mayor Lenny Curry is going to have 19 versions of the same conversation in the coming days and weeks, as Council members ready budgetary requests. Curry spokeswoman Marsha Oliver said it plainly: “It’s budget prep time. They are discussing the budget and the city’s financial future.” Tuesday afternoon’s schedule for Curry tells the tale: Meetings abound, with […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2016

In an attempt to put a “stronger focus on neighborhoods” and to impose “cost controls,” the Jacksonville City Council passed 17-0 comprehensive reorganization legislation Tuesday night that created a Neighborhoods Department. The legislation has been a priority of the Curry administration from before the inauguration, and would mitigate the effects of a reorganization in the previous […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville Vehicles for Hire committee resumed operation after a hiatus. An email from one of the cab company lobbyists, Josh Cockrell, to Council members expressed a sense of urgency. “Now that the legislative session is over and Uber and Lyft has failed to take advantage of our state lawmakers once again, we look forward […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 4, 2016

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Jacksonville Democratic Presidential campaigns for Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have scheduled outreach events this weekend in Duval County. The Sanders campaign headquarters has its “Grand Opening and Block Party this Friday night at 7 p.m.” with “snacks, drinks and entertainment.” Their location: 1710 N. Main St. in the Springfield area. Organizing the event is Janet Harper, […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 1, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee meeting was highlighted Tuesday by possibly the final disposition of Council policy on “electronic communications” during regular Council meetings between Council members and people with an interest in agenda items. During the agenda meeting before Rules, Council President Greg Anderson signaled his intention to “tweak policy” prohibiting Council members from […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council’s big bill involved attempting to finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane with a settlement agreement. Instead, they “postponed indefinitely,” after a long and tortuous process of discussion and amendments. The goal is to get answers to questions and, seemingly, to show Keane […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council will attempt to fix its written communications policy, and finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane. The two bills will likely take up the most time in deliberation, with opportunities for both honest disagreement and tub-thumping demagoguery on both. The written communications bill, […]

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Jacksonville City Council discusses controversial property donation bill, defers action

Jacksonville celebrates its national champs, the Ribault Lady Trojans

Jax Vehicles for Hire Committee hears from Uber, Lyft reps

Budget meetings begin between Jax mayor, council members

Jacksonville City Council passes Neighborhoods bill

Insurance concerns animate Jax Vehicles for Hire committee

Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton Jacksonville partisans plan weekend events

Jax City Council “tweaks policy” on electronic communications

Jax Council “postpones indefinitely” John Keane settlement

Jax Council to mull written communications bill, John Keane deal