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A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2016

Perhaps it was the cold weather. Perhaps advocates were at home Feeling the Bern. Whatever the case, Jax Council heard fewer HRO public comments than usual. The opponents talking about how Human Rights Ordinance expansion would corrode Jacksonville’s “family-friendly” nature? Not there. Perhaps it was a matter of “in case of Rapture, Council Chambers unmanned.” […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Thursday’s Jacksonville City Council Committee of the Whole on the HRO expansion was “different than I’d intended,” Council President Greg Anderson said. Despite the procedural theater initiated by Council Vice President Lori Boyer, which included two failed attempts to have the Tommy Hazouri bill withdrawn, Anderson was positive about the outcome of the first of three […]

Melissa RossFebruary 5, 2016

Amid all the clergy news conferences and parliamentary maneuvers, the battle over Jacksonville’s HRO is also being fought via news release. The latest comes from the Jacksonville Civic Council, a high-powered group of mostly Republican CEOs. Chairman Ed Burr‘s missive addressing Mayor Lenny Curry and Council President Greg Anderson begins by reiterating that the Civic […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

The first of three meetings of the Jacksonville City Council Committee of the Whole on two Human Rights Ordinance expansion bills had all the drama you could want. Those paying attention would have noted that the real drama, the procedural drama, was set up hours ahead of this meeting. Even before the three hour meeting […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

Ahead of the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, anti-HRO activists from Florida Family Policy Council planned a press conference ahead of the event. One problem, however: facilities problems. With rain forecast for Jacksonville for Thursday afternoon, a press conference in Hemming Park was out of the question. The question, from there was a presser […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In a meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Crescimbeni criticized the Committee of the Whole process on HRO expansion, which runs through March 3. “Whether [I was] for it or against it, I likely wouldn’t drag it out until [March] 3rd,” Crescimbeni said when asked about the HRO by Tommy Hazouri. His opposition to the protracted process pertaining to […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

In an email to supporters, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality claims that Lenny Curry opposes a referendum on the expansion of the HRO. “The Mayor also made clear to JCE leadership that he is opposed to a ballot measure on this issue. No one wants to see the City roiled by months of divisive advertisements and hours-long […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

Despite Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s position that no further legislation on the Human Rights Ordinance expansion is “prudent,” Councilmen Bill Gulliford and Tommy Hazouri plan to go ahead with their competing bills, to be debuted and debated heavily starting Thursday at the Committee of the Whole. “I’ll withdraw mine if Tommy wants to withdraw his,” […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 29, 2016

I knew something unpopular was about to happen Thursday night when I saw this Facebook post from Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry quoting Harry Truman. “Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow and only one thing endures. Character.” Truman’s motto: the buck stops here. The irony: that […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 29, 2016

Friday became a momentous day for the Human Rights Ordinance expansion in Jacksonville when Mayor Lenny Curry, at long last, took a position on the question. Curry issued a departmental directive to change city employment-related policies and practices to comply with all federal and state laws. That policy change precludes and prohibits all forms of employment discrimination, […]

Tag: HRO

HRO public comment muted at Jax Council Tuesday

Jax Council Prez Greg Anderson talks HRO process

Jax Civic Council contends “the place we call home should welcome all”

Lori Boyer’s withdrawal motion highlights Jax HRO Committee of the Whole

Anti-HRO presser hits scheduling snag

John Crescimbeni throws cold water on HRO process: “damage to reputation of city”

Jax Coalition for Equality claims Lenny Curry opposes HRO ballot measure

Despite Lenny Curry’s “no to HRO” position, both Council bills moving forward

Lenny Curry’s HRO punt and the process going forward

Lenny Curry on HRO: “I do not believe any further legislation would be prudent”