Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsAugust 17, 2018

Wishful thinking predicates much of election season. Aspirational ads for Democrats; appeals targeting nonexistent issues (hello, “sanctuary cities”) for Republicans. Ultimately, these moves — whether pulled by a winning or losing campaign — are strategic. How a Republican is to eliminate sanctuary cities or how a Democrat is by force of will to create Medicare […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2018

The annual review of the city of Jacksonville’s proposed budget by the City Council’s Finance Committee sees its first in a series of all-day sessions begin Aug. 16. As compared with the $1.19 billion general fund budget in FY 16-17, and the $1.27 billion budget last year, the general fund budget is up this year to $1.31 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 10, 2018

Jacksonville’s motion to intervene in a residency challenge filed last month to a City Council appointment by Gov. Rick Scott, as well as a motion to dismiss the case by the plaintiff’s attorneys, were heard in a Duval County hearing room Friday afternoon by Judge Waddell Wallace. The magistrate, appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 1999, has been tasked with deciding whether […]

Staff ReportsAugust 10, 2018

We’ve hit the stretch of the primary season; where the money is being spent, not raised. Where ads are cut, and voters engaged. And where candidates know if they are still in the game. No one comes out and says “well, it looks over.” But losing candidates seem different. We saw it with Adam Putnam, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 9, 2018

Despite the best efforts of four opponents, Gwen Graham goes into a televised forum Thursday evening in Jacksonville looking like the Democratic nominee for Governor. The trend lines nationally point to a Graham win, another entrant to what is called in some quarters a sisterhood of gubernatorial nominees, in what seems like a year favorable to women […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 8, 2018

On Wednesday night, Jacksonville will play host to what likely is the last major stand for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the race for Governor. Putnam’s debate at Jacksonville University with U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis is a make-or-break moment if one is still possible in this race. The Real Clear Politics polling average, which includes polls conducted before President […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 7, 2018

A July report from the Jacksonville City Council auditor says Duval County is leaving $366,000 per year on the table when it comes to the so-called bed tax. One source of a revenue increase could be Airbnb. Unlike 39 other Florida counties, Airbnb does not pay this tax — six cents per dollar — to the […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 7, 2018

In 1984, there was no bigger star in the world than Michael Jackson. With the songs from 1982’s Thriller still resonating on the charts, he and his brothers thought the time was right for a family Victory tour. That tour came to Jacksonville: a three-night Gator Bowl stint in a metropolitan area much less populous than […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

It is rare that a Jacksonville City Council resolution gets four committee stops, but such is the case with 2018-429, a resolution of disinclination to sell local publicly owned utility JEA. It is even rarer that a bill can’t get a second to move into consideration. That was the case in Monday’s Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public […]

Staff ReportsAugust 3, 2018

For political watchers, August offers an embarrassment of riches in this market. A number of competitive and contested primaries, including one open Democratic primary and a citywide race for tax collector. Not to mention the state races, including one competitive primary for governor and one that appears to be all but decided. For those keeping […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Jacksonville Bold for 8.17.18 — Sizzle, and steak

Jacksonville City Council panel begins budget deep dive Thursday

Two days represent key difference in Terrance Freeman residency hearing

Jacksonville Bold for 8.10.18 — Contenders, pretenders

‘Gwen and the Men’ and the narrative heading into tonight’s downhill in Jacksonville

How Adam Putnam could have home-field advantage over Ron DeSantis during Jacksonville debate

As other counties move forward, Duval County leaves Airbnb money on the table

Forgotten about for 34 years, Michael Jackson’s money will fund Jacksonville music scholarships

JEA ‘no-sale’ bill appears to be ‘black flag dead’ in Jacksonville City Council

Jacksonville Bold for 8.3.18 — Home stretch