Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

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Out of all of the first-term Jacksonville City Council members, District 9 Democrat Garrett Dennis arguably does the best job playing the inside game. Monday’s meeting between leaders in the communities of his sprawling Westside district, at-large Council members, and him was a good indication why. For close to two hours, all five at-large Council members heard from […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2016

Republicans and Democrats alike will tell you the same thing. In Jacksonville’s City Hall, there are few nicer or more personable people than Doyle Carter. The Republican Councilman lives and breathes Jacksonville. So does his latest backer in the Jacksonville City Council vice presidential race, Al Ferraro. Carter scheduled an open meeting for 8 a.m. Tuesday to […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 24, 2016

University of North Florida Board of Trustees meetings will look more like a City Council reunion going forward. On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott announced three appointments to the board. Two of the three are former presidents of the Jacksonville City Council. Stephen Joost, a two-term Republican councilman who notably endorsed Alvin Brown in the mayoral election, […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 21, 2016

Monday saw Greg Anderson and Lori Boyer, president and vice president of the Jacksonville City Council respectively, again have convened to discuss communications tracking software options. Central to the Monday meeting was a product demonstration from Smarsh, a private vendor that archives communications already for Tallahassee and Panama City. Smarsh, over the phone, demonstrated how their software […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 21, 2016

In an attempt to put a “stronger focus on neighborhoods” and to impose “cost controls,” the Jacksonville City Council is poised to pass comprehensive reorganization legislation Tuesday night , creating a Neighborhoods Department. The reorganization sailed through committees, including Finance and Rules last week. The legislation has been a priority of the Curry administration from before […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 2, 2016

After announcing a new policy regarding Council electronic communications Tuesday in the Rules Committee meeting, Council President Greg Anderson put it into writing Tuesday afternoon. The policy, Anderson wrote, is “guided by the principles of equal access and transparency.” And if Committee discussion is any guide, it seems to apply to all manner of electronic communications, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2016

Discussed toward the end of Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council Finance meeting, the Council Auditor’s quarterly summary raised concerns in the committee. There also were concerns that weren’t discussed by the panel. One such concern discussed within the committee: stress on various subfunds related to stadium improvements. The stadium subfund is projected to incur a $644,502 […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2016

Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri expressed disappointment Monday at how the HRO Committee of the Whole went last week. Hazouri’s specific beefs are with Council leadership; Council VP Lori Boyer introduced a motion for withdrawal of Hazouri’s bill, a move supported by Council President Greg Anderson. “I’m disappointed that leadership would do that,” Hazouri said in a telephone conversation. Such a […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott is continuing his soapbox tour of the Florida Legislature on behalf of his proposed $1 billion in business and other tax cuts for 2016-17. On Monday, he visited the Senate Finance and Tax Committee, where he got a largely cordial and positive reception, even from the panel’s Democrats. The 2016 Legislative Session starts Tuesday. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

Two of the most powerful (and quotable) people on Jacksonville’s City Council, Finance Chairman Bill Gulliford and John Crescimbeni, met Monday afternoon to talk about Council leadership, specifically the latter’s VP bid. Crescimbeni, one of seven Council Democrats, is seeking the City Council vice presidency later this year, along with at least one other candidate (Rules […]

Tag: jacksonville city council

At large Jax Council members hear District 9 concerns

Al Ferraro all in behind Doyle Carter for Jax Council VP

Kevin Hyde, Stephen Joost appointed to UNF Board of Trustees

“Us guys don’t carry pocketbooks”: Jax City Council revisits communications tracking software

Neighborhoods legislation highlights Tuesday Jax City Council meeting

Jax City Council President Greg Anderson codifies new electronic communications policy

Jax Council Auditor quarterly financial summary raises concerns in Finance Committee

Tommy Hazouri “disappointed” in Jax Council leadership

Rick Scott stumps for tax cuts in Senate

Bill Gulliford backs John Crescimbeni for Jax Council VP