Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 10, 2017

The numbers are stark for those who care about public policy in Jacksonville. And the need for solutions is urgent. Overdoses, at last count, end four times as many lives as homicides in Duval County, with 2016’s count of 464 casualties more than doubling 2015’s count of 201. Caucasians represent 86 percent of the deaths, […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 8, 2017

Though the legislative process for the expansion of Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance is over, questions have been raised about the unique advocacy role of John Stemberger in the process. Stemberger, an Orlando attorney and head of “Florida Family Action” who also was just appointed to the Constitutional Revision Commission, registered briefly as a lobbyist on the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2017

Jacksonville is another step closer to long-term peace with its labor unions, as the Fraternal Order of Police resoundingly voted to accept terms of the tentative pension deal on Thursday. 64.5 percent of officers, sergeants, and bailiffs voted for the deal. 81.4 percent of lieutenants and captains accepted terms. A deal was agreed to on Feb. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2017

On Thursday, the Jacksonville Chamber sent a message of sorts to the Duval Legislative Delegation. That message? Ensure that Enterprise Florida, and its job incentive programs, remains whole and functional. “Jacksonville economic development leaders have worked closely with Enterprise Florida to bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in capital investment to our community. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2017

On Friday, the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund held its monthly meeting of trustees. It was the first such meeting since the city agreed to tentative pension deals with the police and fire unions last weekend. As part of that deal, the city will no longer be obligated to the terms of the 2015 […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2017

Almost five years after it was first put up for a council vote, Jacksonville’s legislators finally passed an expansion of the city’s Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) on Tuesday. The bill passed 12-6, with Councilmen Matt Schellenberg, Sam Newby, Danny Becton, Bill Gulliford, Doyle Carter, and Al Ferraro in opposition. The HRO expansion offers long-awaited protections for the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

On Monday, the city of Jacksonville and the local Fraternal Order of Police continued its collective bargaining efforts, in a five-hour-plus afternoon session that spilled over into the evening. Going into the session, the main sticking point was a small but meaningful disagreement on raises for current employees, and whether or not new hires would […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2017

Monday morning saw the first of three Jacksonville City Council committees approve the latest attempt to expand the Human Rights Ordinance. The vote was 4-2. The measure would extend protections in housing, public accommodations, and employment on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. As well, the bill offered in its original form […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2017

With less than a week to go before 2017-15, the latest attempt to expand the Human Rights Ordinance, hits three Jacksonville City Council committees, advocates are rightly optimistic and proud of the progress they’ve made in educating the council. The HRO expansion bill would include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as categories in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 31, 2017

Ballard Partners is extending its reach, announcing it is opening an office in Washington, D.C. Brian Ballard, the firm’s president, announced this week Ballard Partners has opened an office in the nation’s capital. The announcement comes just weeks after President Donald Trump, who Ballard supported, took the oath of office. “There is great enthusiasm with […]

Tag: Jacksonville
Image via AP.

Opioid overdose crisis becomes top priority for Jacksonville policy makers

John Stemberger’s Jacksonville HRO advocacy raised eyebrows in Jacksonville’s city hall

Jacksonville police union overwhelmingly approves pension deal

Jax Chamber: Yes to Enterprise Florida

Jacksonville PFPF trustees throw cold water on Lenny Curry’s pension deal

Jacksonville passes HRO expansion, secures LGBT rights

Jacksonville police union advances individual pension contract proposal

Amended HRO expansion bill clears first Jacksonville City Council committee

Jacksonville’s HRO expansion is in sight, but questions loom

Ballard Partners going national, opens D.C. office