Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 31, 2017

Though some religious organizations, such as the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, liken expanding Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to the “darkest days of World War II,” other groups have different takes. On Jan. 26, the Anti-Defamation League sent Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry a letter, urging Jacksonville to take a “leadership role by adding sexual orientation and […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 27, 2017

Jacksonville Bold is back with a new format. Here we will offer our take on 10 of Northeast Florida’s biggest stories — beyond the blow-by-blow — explaining, as ever, why something is happening. And why it’s important. This edition will take readers inside issues related to the city’s legislative priorities, the Human Rights Ordinance debate, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2017

As with the morning collective bargaining session with the city’s fire union, the city of Jacksonville’s afternoon session with the police union saw a sweetened offer for police and corrections. But with the sweet comes the sour. The Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police held firm to the #YesToFRS position for new hires … and opened […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2017

On Monday, a political ally of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry filed a bill that would close the Florida Retirement System’s defined benefit plan to new cities. This is particularly relevant to Jacksonville’s police and fire unions, both of which want to see new hires put in the FRS defined benefit plan as a condition of collective bargaining. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 20, 2017

There were rumblings last week that some civil rights leaders in Jacksonville were unhappy with the yearly Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast. This week, there is written confirmation. A letter in the mailbox of Mayor Lenny Curry from Jacksonville NAACP President Isaiah Rumlin let it be known that while the NAACP, the SCLC, and the Urban League […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 20, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in December, holding steady at 4.9 percent for the second month in a row. State officials, however, touted gains made in 2016, boasting Florida businesses created 237,300 private sector jobs in 2016. “Over the last six years, we’ve worked each day to make it easier for job creators to invest […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 17, 2017

A bill authorizing the release of 101 properties from Jacksonville’s surplus properties list cleared its first Jacksonville City Council committee Tuesday. Neighborhoods, Community Investments, and Services approved the measure that would, if approved by the full council next week, release the properties housed in five different council districts for the development of affordable housing. The […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 17, 2017

The city of Jacksonville will try again to hire a new inspector general. A draft version of the job advertisement was obtained by FloridaPolitics.com, ahead of Thursday’s inspector general selection and retention committee meeting. City Hall veteran Steve Rohan has been the interim IG for several months, as the city has searched in vain for […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 16, 2017

A bill introduced to the Jacksonville City Council last week could increase the number of city employees getting health care from UF Health. In the bargain, it could improve the Northeast Florida safety-net hospital’s paying customer mix. Ordinance 2017-20 would authorize the city’s employee services department to offer the option to workers and retirees to enroll […]

Scott PowersJanuary 13, 2017

Someone might be forgiven for thinking that maybe Bob Graham and Chris Hand might not want to tell people how to fight city hall and win. Graham, of course, is Florida’s former U.S. Senator and former governor. Hand is a former aide of his who also served chief of staff – at city hall, in […]

Tag: Jacksonville
Florida's crackdown on Asian ownership is having an impact on Jacksonville ports.

Anti-Defamation League backs expanded Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance

Jacksonville Bold for 01.27.17 – Back in business

Jacksonville, police union haggle over body cameras, pensions

Jacksonville offers seven year agreement to firefighters in collective bargaining

Jacksonville civil rights groups plan to take control of MLK Breakfast

Florida unemployment rate holds steady at 4.9% in December

Affordable housing inventory bill clears first Jacksonville council committee

Jacksonville will try again to find a permanent inspector general

Jacksonville to roll out pilot program with UF Health provider network

Bob Graham, Chris Hand pushing new edition of ‘America The Owner’s Manual’