Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 5, 2016

Republican Sen. Travis Hutson will hold a fundraiser for his re-election campaign May 17 at The Fiorentino Group offices in Jacksonville, his campaign announced Thursday. The host committee for the event includes fellow Florida Sens. Rob Bradley and Aaron Bean as well as Jacksonville Jaguars lobbyist Paul Harden, attorney Marty Fiorentino and Acosta CEO Gary […]

Melissa RossMay 5, 2016

It’s a little-noticed move on Capitol Hill, but one that could negatively impact thousands of Florida children in districts around the state. House lawmakers are proposing legislation that would roll back school lunch laws passed in 2010. These laws guarantee free lunches and after-school meals for children in high-poverty areas. A proposal the House will […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2016

A construction worker vandalized a prominent pro-LGBT mural in Jacksonville’s 5 Points neighborhood Thursday, and was dismissed. Both the “before” and “after” pictures of the mural are being widely shared on North Florida social media. The sign, which fronted the old Peterson’s 5 & Dime store, reads “You’ve been sharing bathrooms with transgender people your […]

Melissa RossMay 3, 2016

A representative from the world’s largest Muslim-majority country will appear in Jacksonville this week on the University of North Florida campus to discuss religious extremism, international terrorism, ISIS, and more. Ardian Wicaksono, the counselor for political affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington D.C., will be the featured speaker at the […]

Melissa RossMay 2, 2016

The list of North Florida nonprofits taking part in the grassroots effort #GiveLocalJax is growing, say the effort’s organizers. On May 3rd, a 24-hour online crowdfunding event is set for groups seeking to raise funds for everything from education and social services to LGBT equality, animal welfare, seniors, the homeless, and more. The one-day online […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 29, 2016

In 2015, Jacksonville’s Inspector General reported major issues with the Access to Capital program. After a hiatus, it appears the program shall return. The Access to Capital Program was established to provide capital to Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business vendors in order to successfully perform construction, contractual service and supply, and professional jobs with the city of […]

Julie DelegalApril 28, 2016

Florida’s approach to improving public education is getting serious scrutiny on several fronts. Now is the time to take a good look at whether the changes we’ve endured — mass privatization, real-dollar funding decreases, high-stakes testing, and loss of local school board authority — gets us closer to carrying out our constitutional duty to our […]

Drew WilsonApril 28, 2016

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio called on Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro to fix his agency’s “faulty” inspection process Wednesday after meeting with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Garrett Dennis. “What is happening in Jacksonville has unearthed a problem that must be resolved, and we remain committed to protecting the health and safety […]

Phil AmmannApril 26, 2016

Gwen Graham’s recent semi-surprise, twofer announcement has the Florida chattering classes (temporarily) taking their attention away from 2016 and toward a post-Rick Scott state Capitol. The year 2018 will mark 20 straight years in which Republicans have monopolized the Governor’s Mansion. Democrats are understandably terrified about that continued dominance, particularly when they consider the judicial […]

Darryl PaulsonApril 26, 2016

In a typical election cycle, about 90 percent of House members and 70 percent of U.S. senators win re-election. As has often been noted, Americans hate Congress, but love their own representative. In the 2016 congressional election in Florida, close to half of the delegation will be replaced. As David Wasserman of the Cook Political […]

Tag: Jacksonville
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Travis Hutson to hold re-election fundraiser May 17 in Jacksonville

Proposed changes to nation’s school lunch program could impact thousands of Florida children

Pro-LGBT mural in Jacksonville vandalized

Interfaith discussion of religion and extremism set for UNF this week

#GiveLocalJax crowdfunding challenge set for Tuesday

Jacksonville poised to reinstitute Access to Capital program

Julie Delegal: Failure factories, school inequity in Florida

Marco Rubio calls on HUD to fix ‘faulty’ inspection process in Jacksonville

Ben Pollara: Baby got bench: Florida Democrats’ 2018 field

Darryl Paulson: Florida’s congressional elections: The changing of the guard