Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 11, 2016

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The big news thus far this week in the Jacksonville City Council race for vice president hasn’t been flux in the pledge count, which still sees John Crescimbeni leading Doyle Carter 7 to 6. Rather, it’s in the discussion of whether or not the system, as Councilman Reggie Brown charged, is “broken” or not. The […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2016

Passage of 2016-300, which authorizes the referendum to extend the half-cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax to address the city’s $2.7 billion unfunded pension liability, seemed to be a certainty before Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting. After public comment, hand wringing from some council members, and tub thumping from others, it was approved 19 to 0 […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

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On Monday, Jacksonville City Councilman John Crescimbeni attempted to get fellow Democrat Reggie Brown to join “Team Crescimbeni” and support his bid for council vice president. That support did not manifest. Instead his signature on a pledge letter, Brown offered a critique of institutionalized racism in council leadership. “It’s a broken system,” Brown said. “It’s been broken for […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

On Monday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire subcommittee wrestled, yet again, with regulations for Uber and Lyft, making glacial progress on resolving the long-standing contretemps between the taxicab industry and transportation network companies. Progress had been made previously on insurance conditions, with the committee agreeing on terms. Drivers for transportation network companies […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 6, 2016

On Friday morning, Jacksonville City Council members and Kirk Wendland of the Office of Economic Development again turned their attention to driving economic development incentives to distressed areas of the city. This discussion, which started two weeks ago in the previous meeting of the Economic Development Incentives Committee, was intended to address the “real challenge” of bringing […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 4, 2016

On Wednesday afternoon, Jax Council vice presidential candidate John Crescimbeni solicited the support of fellow Democrat Garrett Dennis in a tight race against Republican Doyle Carter. Dennis had been expected to meet with Carter before Crescimbeni, but the meeting was cancelled as Carter was traveling. Because of that, Dennis was not prepared to sign on with Crescimbeni, he […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 3, 2016

Going into Tuesday, John Crescimbeni led Doyle Carter in the pledge race to be Jacksonville City Council vice president seven-to-five. Both candidates had scheduled meetings with pledges on Tuesday. Crescimbeni with Reggie Gaffney. And, later in the day, Carter with Matt Schellenberg. Some describe these meetings as “kabuki theater.” However, with the pledge count surprisingly close, these have become must-see […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2016

In a drama-free move, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee approved a bill authorizing a referendum on extension of the half-cent sales tax on Monday. Bill 2016-300 passed unanimously as an emergency measure. CFO Mike Weinstein noted that the referendum would close the three existing pension plans, which created the $2.7 billion unfunded pension liability. “The beauty […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

A controversial bill, 2015-519, changing guidelines for city donation of vacant, buildable lots owned by the city after tax reversion for affordable housing inventory purposes, was passed by Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday. The bill doubles the permissible value of properties that can be dispensed to CHDOs and other affordable housing non-profits from $25,000 to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry addressed the City Council Tuesday evening, regarding 2016-300, the ordinance setting an August referendum for the pension tax. Curry noted that with Council support, “we now have the opportunity to save our city from financial ruin,” by extending the half cent sales tax, before speaking to “critics” who want a new sales tax, saying […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni
Uloma Ekpete Kama. Image via campaign site.

Garrett Dennis says the Jax Council leadership system is not broken

Jacksonville City Council authorizes August pension tax referendum

Is the Jax City Council system for choosing leadership broken?

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee considers regulatory framework, yet again

Jax Council committee tackles economic incentives for distressed areas

Garrett Dennis holds off on backing John Crescimbeni for Jax Council VP

Jax Council VP race tightens up three weeks ahead of vote

Jax Finance Committee approves pension tax referendum

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council