Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 28, 2017

The national observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is in April, yet Jacksonville kicked off the month days early on Tuesday, with city leaders convening in the atrium of the city hall. Jacksonville’s Sexual Assault Advisory Council was created in 1998, intending to bring awareness to the issue and to let victims know they have […]

Staff ReportsMarch 24, 2017

Florida’s unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent in February. This marks the second month in a row the state’s unemployment rate has been at 5 percent, and mirrors the unemployment rate the state experienced in the first two months of 2016, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The state added 239,800 jobs […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

Jacksonville may be Ground Zero for the debate about economic incentives. Local leaders want them, but the local Florida House delegation does not. This week, yet another prominent person in Jacksonville’s City Hall sounded the alarm for state incentives via Enterprise Florida. The Jacksonville Daily Record reports that local OED head Kirk Wendland made the case for […]

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 […]

Tag: Jacksonville
How They Voted report by Florida Chamber of Commerce

Jacksonville leaders observe sexual assault awareness month

Florida’s unemployment rate holds steady at 5%

Jacksonville leaders’ arguments for state incentives fall on deaf ears in Tallahassee

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