Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry got a political boost today when his allies at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce endorsed his pension reform package. “This is a collaborative solution that addresses a longstanding issue facing our city finances and balances the interests of taxpayers and our hard-working, dedicated city employees,” JAX Chamber Chair Darnell Smith said. Curry’s […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 24, 2017

The race for Jacksonville City Council VP is heating up, as Aaron Bowman threw his hat into the ring this week. Bowman had run in 2016, though questions were raised at the time about his run, such as whether or not he was running “too early” in his term, and how independent he would be from […]

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 1, 2017

Former Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton is poised to soon have a new public visibility, as the JAX Chamber announced Wednesday his election as chair-elect. Peyton served as mayor of Jacksonville from 2003 to 2011; since his mayoralty, he has not been politically prominent, except for a strong endorsement of Lenny Curry in 2015. Darnell Smith, the current […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 19, 2017

On Thursday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee pushed through a series of bills ahead of approval next Tuesday by the full council. All of these bills were approved unanimously. **** Lien Scene: A bill adding “code enforcement liens” to the list of claims, bills and judgments that may be settled by the Finance Director, Office of General […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 15, 2016

Criminal history has often disqualified reformed felons from large swaths of the job market. However, Jacksonville business leaders are looking to rectify that injustice. “Project Open Door,” announced Tuesday at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, asserts companies will not ask about a job applicant’s arrest record until the interview process. This, akin to the “Ban […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2016

Former Jacksonville Mayor and current GATE Petroleum President John Peyton has been selected as the 2018 Jax Chamber chairman. The selection of the chair typically happens more than a year in advance, and Peyton will spend 2017 as the chairman-elect. Peyton, mayor from 2003 to 2011, knows the impacts the good times and the bad times have […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 4, 2016

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A surprisingly common thread in coverage of Wednesday’s Donald Trump rally in Jacksonville media was the disconnect between his description of Jacksonville’s post-industrial economic devastation and the message put forth by local politicians and the business community. Among Trump’s assertions: “This area has been devastated by the loss of industrial jobs …. As you stand here thinking […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2016

Beaches Biz, a subcommittee of JAXBIZ, the nonpartisan political arm of the JAX Chamber, announced Tuesday its endorsements in the Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach mayoral races. Incumbent Charlie Latham got the nod in Jacksonville Beach. In the open race in Neptune Beach, JAXBIZ is backing Elaine Brown. “Mayor Latham and former City Council President Brown have the experience […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2016

The Jax Chamber has made no secret of its support of the pension-tax referendum. “This is one of the biggest issues facing Jacksonville and the unfunded pension liability is crippling our city finances,” said Matt Rapp, chair of government affairs for JAX Chamber, said in February after the Florida House approved the measure. “We applaud […]

Tag: JAX Chamber
Matt Gaetz. Image via AP.

Jax Chamber backs Lenny Curry’s pension reform

Aaron Bowman makes second try for Jacksonville City Council VP

Jax Chamber: Yes to Enterprise Florida

John Peyton chosen Jax Chamber chair-elect

Jacksonville council finance committee clears a series of bills

Jacksonville biz leaders kick off ‘Project Open Door’

John Peyton selected as 2018 Chair of Jax Chamber

Jax leaders demur in addressing Donald Trump’s description of local economic devastation

Beaches Biz backs Charlie Latham, Elaine Brown in mayoral races

Jax Chamber reiterates support for pension-tax referendum