Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2017

In the wake of the violence in Charlottesville this weekend, which included one person killed by a domestic terrorist, protesters in Jacksonville renewed calls to remove Confederate monuments in the city. Such calls have increased in intensity in recent weeks, with interesting contretemps at Jacksonville City Council meetings between Confederate enthusiasts and progressives who believe […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2017

When it comes to fundraising in Duval County 2019 races, the landscape comes down to two City Council candidates, then everybody else. As has been the case in recent months, Jacksonville City Council hopefuls Matt Carlucci and Ron Salem are the two declared candidates demonstrating fundraising traction thus far. Carlucci is in an especially impressive position; just […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 11, 2017

The eternal struggle for Jacksonville Public Library funding continued Friday in the City Council Finance Committee’s budget hearing. Budget cuts took effect in a major way in 2013, leading to cuts in hours and commensurate reductions in services. Since then, advocates have wanted expansion of hours and services. The major improvement in the last two […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 10, 2017

The first day of Jacksonville City Council review of Mayor Lenny Curry‘s proposed budget was highlighted by a deep dive into the Sheriff’s budget: 35 percent of the general fund. Among the highlights of the proposed budget: 100 more cops, which would bring force levels within a few dozen of the peak of 1,800 officers years back. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 10, 2017

The August ritual began anew Thursday morning in Jacksonville’s City Hall, with the City Council Finance Committee beginning its review of the Mayor’s proposed budget. The day began with a romp through a presentation from the Curry administration, followed by the Council Auditor’s review of the budget. The proposed $1.27B budget is up from the […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 9, 2017

Jacksonville City Councilors made the long walk from the Council suite to the Mayor’s Office Wednesday afternoon, for promised “refreshments” with Lenny Curry. In a period of transition for the Council, the public notice meeting was worthy of notice; it was a conscious forging of camaraderie and unity, and one well-timed, with the Finance Committee taking […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 31, 2017

A Jacksonville City Council bill imposing a temporary moratorium on wireless communication devices in the city right-of-way passed its first committee Monday. Introduced on an emergency basis as a reaction to state legislation paving the way for 5G, 2017-551 would allow for a moratorium through the end of the year, as the city needs time to work […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 31, 2017

On Monday, a bill designed to expand the city’s human trafficking awareness sign program moved through the first of its two Jacksonville City Council committee stops. Councilman Tommy Hazouri attempts, with this bill (2017-450), to expand the reach of the human trafficking awareness signs that began to be posted in Jacksonville last year after a bill he […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 31, 2017

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche is settling into the role, having wrapped her first Council meeting as presiding officer last week. In that role, she is responsible for more than just presiding over Council meetings. Among other duties, she is chair of Jacksonville’s Tourist Development Council — which likewise met last week. As well, […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 26, 2017

As the old saw goes, victory has many fathers, but defeat is an orphan. In that context, a decision to postpone a decision — such as that made by the Jacksonville City Council during yet another attempt to push through a referendum that could scuttle current term limits (changing limits from two consecutive terms to […]

Tag: jacksonville city council

Jacksonville pols, civic leaders urge Confederate monument removal

Matt Carlucci clears $100,000 on hand in 2019 Jax City Council race

Jax Councilors tackle public library budget

Jax Councilors hammer Sheriff Mike Williams on policy, procedure

Jax City Council begins mulling Lenny Curry’s budget

Lenny Curry, Jax City Council have ‘feelgood discussion’ ahead of budget review

Cell tower moratorium clears first Jacksonville City Council committee

Human trafficking awareness expansion bill clears first Jax Council committee

Being Jacksonville City Council President suits Anna Brosche

How the Jacksonville City Council effort to scuttle term limits went wrong