Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 19, 2015

A narrative circulating before Lenny Curry‘s election contended that Jacksonville wasn’t getting all it could out of the annual economic development trips to London. Some said, perhaps for political reasons, that former mayor Alvin Brown was ill-suited to make the sale to multinational companies that otherwise might be persuaded to relocate to or launch operations […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 18, 2015

Bill Gulliford celebrated his 72nd birthday by chairing the JEA Agreement meeting, promising, at long last, an extended discussion of the contribution formula, before a vote on it next Tuesday. The proposal specs: a 10-year agreement, starting October 2016; a contribution floor of $114,187,538; a reset of tax millage to achieve the floor; an annual […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 17, 2015

On Tuesday evening, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry convened a panel to discuss the possible expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance, and the larger issue of LGBT rights. With what Curry called beforehand a “balanced panel … organized by senior staff” with members ranging from a representative of JASMYN (Cindy Watson) to the Liberty Counsel (Roger Gannam, […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 16, 2015

On Monday, Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson met with Rules Committee Chair Matt Schellenberg (and a room full of interested parties from the taxi cab industry) regarding vehicles for hire, a legislative issue that Council has, of yet, no easy answers to. A special subcommittee might change that. Anderson: “where we left this off… we […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 10, 2015

In the third to the last Jacksonville City council meeting of 2016, the agenda had a couple of interesting items. Perhaps most interesting: two bills that would restore a pay cut made in 2010. As council went through some lengthy recognition ceremonies, a phalanx of police officers stood in the back of the room. Police […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 29, 2015

One of the major projects of the Alvin Brown administration was comprehensive pension reform, a path that took the relationship between the Jacksonville Mayor’s Office and City Council through many twists and turns. The findings of the Police and Fire Pension Fund audit were described by Councilman Bill Gulliford as “reprehensible … with a vast and staggering sum of […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Council President Greg Anderson said Google is considering Jacksonville for “ultra-high-speed Internet access” via Google Fiber. This was billed in advance as a “significant announcement” regarding advancement in Jacksonville’s tech infrastructure, one with tangible results in economic development. With local luminaries such as Susie Wiles, Michael Munz and […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

On Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Executive Personnel Committee, including Council members Bill Gulliford, Lori Boyer, John Crescimbeni and Chairman Greg Anderson met briefly to discuss increases in salaries for staff and council members. Arguably the four most powerful council members, they almost invariably drive debate and frame narratives. Councilman Matt Schellenberg introduced a bill […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2015

Jacksonville’s City Council meeting on Tuesday night was light in terms of agenda items; expectations going in were for some fireworks on the Planning Commission removal of Lisa King and Joey McKinnon, and, perhaps, council scrutiny of the embattled Inspector General Thomas Cline. As expected, King and McKinnon were removed in favor of Lenny Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2015

On Tuesday at Jacksonville City Hall, Mayor Lenny Curry was joined by local luminaries to promote an economic development deal. The subject was an event the city news office billed in advance as “an exciting announcement in which 300 new local jobs may be added as a result of a financial services company’s expansion in […]

Tag: Greg Anderson

Lenny Curry, Jax establishment shine in latest British business deal

JEA Agreement meeting addresses contribution formula proposal

First Jax HRO “community conversation”: the epitome of the democratic process?

Jax Vehicles for Hire subcommittee being formed, to meet 11/24 at noon

As police officers look on, Jax City Council punts on its own pay raise

Chris Hand addresses Jax PFPF governance reforms in light of audit

Lenny Curry, Greg Anderson announce Google Fiber pilot project

Jax City Council looks to boost staff pay, personal compensation

Jax City Council OKs Planning Commission moves, scrutinizes inspector general

Lenny Curry, Jacksonville leaders trumpet 300 new jobs from Fidelity Investments