Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee resumed Monday after its “fifth week” break, considering contract disparity and pension fund issues, along with a surprisingly controversial bill on human trafficking signs that was deferred after some discussion. • A presentation on investment management expenses of pension funds, including the Police and Fire Pension Fund and the […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 2, 2016

Interim Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund Executive Director Beth McCague said when she took the job that she didn’t want to be there indefinitely. A year was the longest commitment that she wanted to offer. And she may be done sooner than that. An internal email from McCague to Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa notes that […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2016

At the start of the year, I made 12 predictions for 2016 in Jacksonville politics. A fourth of the way through, revisiting them is useful. Some I got right. Some I got wrong. Some are still in progress. Predictions 1 and 2 revolved around the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, which was the issue du jour. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2016

On Wednesday, the Florida Senate voted 35-1 to approve the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill (SB 1652), which would allow Jacksonville to impose a pension tax via referendum if the bill is signed into law. This passage represents the culmination of a concerted effort that started months ago, including the enlistment of an army of city […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 3, 2016

In a wide-ranging interview Thursday morning, Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg talked about Uber and the taxis, the John Keane deal and John Delaney’s role in it, and Katrina Brown. Schellenberg, the chair of the Vehicles for Hire committee, was lambasted by a cab company executive for pushing back the next committee meeting date until March 22, with […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 29, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee mulled on Monday an agenda including bills on the Bob Hayes Track Meet, JEA Agreement, increased money for JSO, and stolen property. • 2015-764, the JEA Agreement ordinance, passed Finance 6-0. Included: a floor amendment from Lori Boyer. One such sticking point: revenue from future utility businesses in which JEA […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 28, 2016

When it comes to former Jax PFPF head John Keane, City Council is ready to “lawyer up,” and a March 7 “litigation shade meeting” will address strategy. The guidelines were laid forth by Council President Greg Anderson in a memo Friday. Attendance is “urgent” for all members of Council, as they discuss legal strategy in the wake […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 24, 2016

Notable about Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, in which a settlement agreement with John Keane and the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund was “indefinitely postponed,” were the comments of Councilman Matt Schellenberg. They were laden with direct address toward Keane. And they were personal, almost to the point of calling in question Council’s stance as good-faith […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council’s big bill involved attempting to finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane with a settlement agreement. Instead, they “postponed indefinitely,” after a long and tortuous process of discussion and amendments. The goal is to get answers to questions and, seemingly, to show Keane […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council will attempt to fix its written communications policy, and finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane. The two bills will likely take up the most time in deliberation, with opportunities for both honest disagreement and tub-thumping demagoguery on both. The written communications bill, […]

Tag: Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund
Las Vegas Strip transforms into a Grand Prix.

Jax Finance Committee talks pension fund, disparity study

Jax pension fund preps for post-Beth McCague era

A.G. Gancarski: So far, so good on 2016 predictions

Jacksonville’s pension tax bill sails through Senate, now heads to Gov. Scott

Matt Schellenberg talks Uber, John Keane, “Teflon John” Delaney, and Katrina Brown

Jax City Council Finance Committee OKs Bob Hayes, JEA, inventory control bills

Jax City Council plans closed meeting on John Keane dispute

Matt Schellenberg’s evolution on John Keane worth noting

Jax Council “postpones indefinitely” John Keane settlement

Jax Council to mull written communications bill, John Keane deal