Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossJanuary 15, 2016

In Jacksonville, Peter Rummell giveth, and Peter Rummell taketh away. That was a lesson very publicly learned by former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. Now, ousted One Spark founder Elton Rivas is the latest to get his walking papers after the powerful money man behind the popular (but financially struggling) crowdfunding festival decided the spark was […]

Melissa RossJanuary 14, 2016

1929947_1023614824365606_8903570414942918892_n-1-1024x1024.jpg

One of the premier facilities in America treating veterans and NFL players for traumatic brain injury and PTSD has chosen Jacksonville as its location for expansion into the Southeast. The renowned Eisenhower Center, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, settled on North Florida in part because of the region’s international recognition as a medical tourism destination […]

Associated PressJanuary 13, 2016

BAE Systems says as many as 300 employees its shipyards in Jacksonville may be laid off. Multiple media outlets report the company made the announcement Tuesday, saying the layoffs will happen on or about March 18. BAE employs about 700 workers at its two Jacksonville facilities. The company said in September that it would lay […]

Melissa RossJanuary 12, 2016

150305125126-17-ringling-elephants-super-169-1024x1024.jpg

Animal rights groups have scored a major victory against the Greatest Show On Earth, but that isn’t stopping the protests. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, America’s best-known circus, announced Monday it will relocate all its elephants to a conservation center here in Florida by the end of May. That pushes up the […]

Melissa RossJanuary 11, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council meets Tuesday, and the entire 19-member body has sponsored a new bill that would repurpose the Better Jacksonville Plan with a half-cent sales tax to pay down the city’s massive unfunded pension liability. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says he’s willing to ask the voters to approve the idea with a referendum. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 8, 2016

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of Joni Poitier to the Florida Elections Commission. The 35-year-old Jacksonville lawyer, a Jacksonville Civil Service Board member, is an attorney with Moseley, Prichard, Parrish, Knight and Jones, a legacy firm that specializes in civil litigation and business law. A former prosecutor, Poitier serves on the board of Jacksonville’s Family […]

Melissa RossJanuary 8, 2016

Whether it’s the construction of green buildings, pushing more public transit, or investing in sustainable infrastructure, the Sunshine State is practically flunking when it comes to energy efficiency. That’s according to a new scorecard by a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has issued grades to Florida’s four largest cities. Jacksonville got a 26 […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2016

Though it isn’t certain that Google Fiber will be coming to Jacksonville, Google has feelers out for a city manager for the project in Jacksonville. A job listing, posted seven days ago, lists these qualifications, a preference for 2nd person construction throughout: “The role of the City Team is to drive the overall business in […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 31, 2015

In November, FloridaPolitics.com reported on the people behind Illuminate Jax seeking buy in from the Lenny Curry administration to move forth with plans to light up the Jacksonville skyline. In January, they will get the meeting they sought in November. Margie Seaman of Illuminate Jax will get a long-awaited meeting with city officials in January, including […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

There’s no doubt 2015 was an amazing year in Jacksonville politics. A new mayor, 11 new members of City Council, and intrigue in Corrine Brown’s redistricting saga were among a few top-level highlights. While we have a reasonable sense of what happened in Jacksonville politics in 2015, the next question is what happens in 2016. Hence, a […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Elton Rivas on leaving One Spark: “A leader serves as a privilege, not as a divine right”

Amid growing NFL concussion concerns, Mark Brunell to lead Eisenhower Center’s expansion into Jacksonville

BAE Systems to lay off up to 300 at Jacksonville shipyards

Ringling to retire elephants early; Jacksonville protests still planned

Labor lawyer pushes back on Lenny Curry pension plan: “We’re setting ourselves up for another crisis”

Joni Poitier appointed to Florida Elections Commission

Florida cities among the least energy efficient in America

Google Fiber seeks manager for possible expansion to Jacksonville

Illuminate Jax moving forward?

A.G. Gancarski’s 12 predictions in 2016 for Jacksonville politics