Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Staff ReportsNovember 29, 2018

Baseball terminology may be out of season, but no matter: this week’s developments show that all the work Northeast Florida lawmakers have done in recent months has paid off. For the second straight year, Fleming Island Republican Rob Bradley will helm Senate Appropriations. This year, a close ally is also handling the House budget. Gov. […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 27, 2018

Jacksonville Democrat Yolanda Thornton wants to be Mayor. And she has made her move, opening a campaign account in which there is room to grow. Thus far, she has raised $100. She has never held elected office before. Never been appointed to a city board or commission. And she moved back to town only recently. […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 19, 2018

Only a couple of days of Jacksonville City Council committee meetings stand between the people running local government and the trappings of Thanksgiving. Soon enough, ovens and stoves will be in “go” mode. Yet already heating up: Rhetoric around the mayoral race, qualifying for which begins the week after Epiphany (Jan. 7-11). The Florida Times-Union […]

Staff ReportsNovember 16, 2018

A cottage industry among Northeast Florida political observers this year has revolved around the same question it did in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Did Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry go too far? In 2015, he capsized a popular Mayor. In 2016, he stumped for President Donald Trump and got pension reform through (which ticked off the […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2018

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council imposed a six-month moratorium on adult arcades. The legislation cleared committees without opposition and landed on the consent agenda, with a majority of the 19-person legislative body listed as sponsors even before Tuesday’s meeting. Ordinance 2018-680 bans any new permitting for so-called internet cafes, a bane to the existence of […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2018

Two new bills introduced to the Jacksonville City Council Tuesday evening could, at least in theory, lead to a grant to the city from the United Arab Emirates being returned. Though if that happens, it’s over the heads of Mayor Lenny Curry and the Council President. Ordinance 2018-813 would give back that $2.775 million grant. And Ordinance 2018-790 would appropriate the […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 12, 2018

For a second straight Legislative session, a Clay County Republican will be key to the budget process. Just as Sen. Rob Bradley chaired Senate Appropriations in 2018, chairing the powerful House Appropriations Committee is state Republican Rep. Travis Cummings of Orange Park. Cummings replaces former House budget chair Carlos Trujillo, who left the Legislature after being […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 7, 2018

When so inclined, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry offers some very direct quotes. On Tuesday evening, Curry spiked the ball on local exponents of the “Blue Wave” theory. Curry reminded locals of his pre-primary endorsement of Ron DeSantis for Governor. My brother from another mother. — Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) November 7, 2018 He also reminded them of his […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 6, 2018

Duval County voters on Tuesday approved a nonbinding referendum suggesting that the Jacksonville City Council must first approve a sale of 10 percent or more of the municipal utility (JEA). While JEA has an independent board, the push to privatize the utility that started a year ago led Council members to want increased checks and […]

Tag: Jacksonville

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

Jacksonville Bold for 11.29.18 — Payoff pitch

‘Underdog story’: Yolanda Thornton‘s longshot bid for Jacksonville Mayor

Rhetoric heats up ahead of Jacksonville mayoral race

Jacksonville Bold for 11.16.18 — A very good year.

No more games: Jacksonville imposes adult arcade moratorium

’Blood money‘ reconsidered: UAE grant fight heads to Jacksonville City Council

House budget chief Travis Cummings optimistic about Ron DeSantis era

‘Losing sucks’: Lenny Curry throws down 2019 gauntlet

Jacksonville voters want extra safeguard against JEA sale