Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 6, 2017

The city of Jacksonville is girding up for a looming late-April audit of post-Hurricane Matthew spending, much of which could be reimbursed by FEMA. Reimbursement is contingent on a number of factors, according to a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Jacksonville CAO Sam Mousa. FEMA requires a lot of detail. Among the asks: […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 1, 2017

St. Johns County was dealt a harsh blow from Hurricane Matthew, with flooding in St. Augustine and its beaches, and devastation countywide. Recovery has a price tag. And, according to an appropriations request from Rep. Cyndi Stevenson at the request of the St. Johns County Commission, the state share of coastline recovery should be $47 million. The […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2017

In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, estimates were that the storm could have inflicted as much as $100 million in financial impact to Jacksonville’s treasury. However, asserts the latest auditor report from the Jacksonville City Council (discussed in the Finance Committee Thursday morning), things weren’t as bad as initially feared. “The Finance Director’s report projects […]

William PatrickFebruary 15, 2017

As the debate over whether to fund or eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida escalates at the Florida Capitol, it’s important to consider that those who directly benefit from the mostly taxpayer-funded organizations are among their most vocal supporters. It’s natural, and predictable. It’s also entirely appropriate that incentives and tourism marketing recipients have the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2017

On Friday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott invoked the ongoing state of emergency in the wake of Hurricane Matthew to earmark $15.8 million for beach restoration in some Northeast Florida counties. St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Brevard Counties will benefit from the funds. Duval and Nassau Counties will not. The allocation prioritizes beach and dune restoration in areas […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2017

The year 2017 has started off with people trying to pressure Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry into positions he thus far has resisted. Social liberals want the mayor to offer the kind of full-throated support of expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance that thus far has proven elusive. And the city’s unions, especially police and fire, want […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 4, 2017

A climatic quirk seems to be slightly shielding the U.S. coast during busy hurricane seasons, often weakening major storms just as they approach America’s beaches, a new study finds. That could help explain why it’s been more than 11 years since a major hurricane with winds of more than 110 mph has hit the United […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 31, 2016

Everyone expected Florida to play an important role in politics this year. And why wouldn’t they? Presidential hopefuls hailed from here; the state’s electoral votes were coveted; and its Senate race could have determined control of the U.S. Senate. But just like many predictions in 2016, some of the prophecies for Florida’s outsized role on […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 28, 2016

Subpoenas with a side of sauce. That’s one way to sum up the year. In Jacksonville politics, 2016 started with subpoenas being delivered to Rep. Corrine Brown and her clique at a barbecue place on the Northside. And it ended with a raid on Councilwoman Katrina Brown’s familial barbecue sauce plant on the Westside. Katrina […]

Tag: Hurricane Matthew

FEMA audit of Jacksonville’s post-Matthew spending looms

Cyndi Stevenson seeks $47 million for St. Johns County coastline recovery

Hurricane Matthew had $53M impact on Jacksonville city coffers

Assessing Visit Florida beneficiaries’ assertions, predictions and anecdotes

Rick Scott authorizes $15.8 million for Northeast Florida beach restoration

Lenny Curry previews 2017 agenda at Meninak meeting

Quirk may shield U.S. coast during busy hurricane seasons

Infamous dates: The moments that shaped Florida politics in 2016

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016

Subpoenas with a side of sauce: The 10 biggest #JaxPol stories of 2016