Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2019

Members of the public who want to address the Jacksonville City Council during public comment in the future may be advised to bring quarters for the vending machine. They may be speaking later than they are used to. Currently split up among two commenting periods, new legislation (2019-19) would shift public comment to the back […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 8, 2019

The Jacksonville City Council agenda Tuesday evening was mild compared to the somewhat wild speculation about which member(s) are running for Mayor. However, even as the “silly season” is in full swing, policy concerns populated the agenda, even as political cross-currents proved irresistible. One such measure: 2018-846, Council President Aaron Bowman’s bill to create a task […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 7, 2019

If the stacking of the field in Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 1 is any indication, incumbent Anna Brosche will run for Mayor instead of seeking re-election. The vibe very much is that of an open seat, with developments Monday adding texture. Lisa King, the chair of the Duval County Democratic Party, filed on Monday morning […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 3, 2019

The Jacksonville City Council continued to move forward with committee work Thursday morning in the Finance Committee. Performing Arts Showcase: 2018-837 is headed to the Consent Agenda next week, and it may be a downtown game changer. The bill would appropriate roughly $2 million in tourist development funds for a visitors center on the Riverwalk at […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 3, 2019

As of Wednesday morning, both of Gov. Rick Scott‘s Jacksonville City Council appointments have filed for election in 2019. While District 8 Democrat Ju’Coby Pittman filed for election in her district (a bid that has already garnered support from the Fraternal Order of Police), Freeman is taking a different tack. Appointed to fill in for suspended Democrat Reggie […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 11, 2018

All good things come to an end: and so it is for the 2018 calendar for the Jacksonville City Council, which met Tuesday for the final time this year. Just a few of the highlights, beyond the X-Mas sweaters depicted in the graphic…. _ Health care options for public safety: New changes to collective bargaining […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 5, 2018

The Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee has approved a strategic plan for the next five years, setting it up for consideration by the full body next week. A subcommittee hashed out the initial proposal last week, pushing forward a revamped version of the bill (2018-594) filed this summer, on matters including public safety, financial health, governmental […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee downed a bill that would have returned a $2.775 million grant from the United Arab Emirates. Ordinance 2018-813 would have given back that $2.775 million grant. Back in October, the United Arab Emirates gave Jacksonville that money toward post-Hurricane Irma reconstruction. City Council voted the appropriation through without a hitch in the summer, but […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

Jacksonville City Council committees on Monday and Tuesday approved changes in collective bargaining for fire and police employees that could change health plans. Ordinances 2018-756 and 2018-757 would allow the unions to separate from the city health care plan in 2020. They were passed without opposition in both committees of reference (“Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

On Thursday, a Jacksonville City Council subcommittee continued what is billed as a “comprehensive crime reduction inventory.” However, crime reduction may not be the only law enforcement concern for the legislative panel: A Florida Department of Law Enforcement report this week revealed that Duval County ranks 66th in terms of crimes solved. Its clearance rate hovers […]

Tag: jacksonville city council

Public comment changes looming for Jacksonville City Council

Political ‘silly season’ bleeds over into Jacksonville City Council meeting

Crowded field seeks to replace Anna Brosche on Jacksonville City Council

Projection wall moves forward in Jacksonville City Council

Appointed to Jacksonville City Council, Terrance Freeman now seeks election

Last call: Jacksonville City Council closes 2018

Aspirational goals: Jacksonville City Council moves toward long-term strategic plan

Jacksonville City Council panel: We’ll keep the UAE money, thanks

Health care plan changes loom for Jacksonville fire, police

Jacksonville Council members won’t blame Sheriff for low crime clearance rates