Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

In classic Jacksonville City Council fashion, a simple, well-intentioned bill mandating anti-human trafficking signs in massage parlors and adult entertainment establishments has led to committees tabling it and to the second of two public notice meetings on Tuesday. Councilman Tommy Hazouri‘s original bill got pushback from Councilman Danny Becton, among others, and now the two Council members […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is expected to address the City Council Tuesday evening, and the subject will be 2016-300, the ordinance setting an August referendum for the pension tax. Council won’t be a hard sell. The entire Council co-sponsored the resolution authorizing Curry to explore the referendum ahead of the 2016 legislative session, and the referendum […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

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A bill (2016-198) designed to appropriate a quarter million dollars of contingency money to a Hemming Park stage, got pushback in a Jacksonville City Council special committee Monday. Councilman John Crescimbeni said “the bill’s not ready for prime time,” while Finance Chair Bill Gulliford noted that it might be time to have a look at the long-range, five-year plan […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

A Jacksonville City Council Special Committee comprised of the Finance and Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety (RCDPHS) committees tackled on Monday a controversial bill, 2015-519, which regulates property donation of the 436 parcels under city ownership. The bill, passed on Monday, will be on Tuesday’s Council agenda as an addendum item. 2015-519, which […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 22, 2016

On Friday, the Jacksonville City Council Economic Development Special Committee discussed a wide range of issues related to public investment, ranging from the Downtown Investment Authority to economically distressed areas. The highlights: A discussion of films revealed that the Film and Television office is getting calls “weekly” related to potential film and television projects, including […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2016

On Monday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee deferred property donation and human trafficking signage bills, and OKd Project Rex, which is expected to bring an Amazon distribution center to Jacksonville. **** 2015-519, a bill that would allow change the city’s rules for property donation that has circulated for nine months now, was considered Monday […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 15, 2016

In a move that will surprise the casual observer, Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri pledged to support Doyle Carter for VP Friday. Hazouri, a Democrat, had been mulling the choice between Carter, a Republican, and John Crescimbeni, a fellow At Large Democrat. Crescimbeni, in a meeting with Hazouri and Councilwoman Katrina Brown last week, took hard questions about […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 12, 2016

Expectations that a controversial bill on increasing the value of property the city may donate to developers from $25,000 to $50,000, would be discharged for discussion came to pass, at the urging of Councilman Bill Gulliford, during Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting. Council had already promised further discussion on 2015-519 in the Neighborhood Improvement and Community Enhancement […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 12, 2016

Ten Council members, going into Tuesday, had made pledges in the Jacksonville City Council VP race: six for John Crescimbeni, and four for Doyle Carter. This left nine pledges to be fought over by the veteran Councilmen. After Tuesday, there were eight left. And Crescimbeni is closer to victory than he was at the beginning of the […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 11, 2016

Headed into Monday, Doyle Carter trailed John Crescimbeni in the pledge count in their Jacksonville City Council VP race 6 to 4. And Monday closed with the same tally. Carter held a half hour long meeting with District 7 Councilman Reggie Gaffney, whose pledge would have been seen as a bellwether for support from the nine Council members […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Jax Council members discuss human trafficking sign legislation

Lenny Curry to address Jax City Council Tuesday on pension tax referendum

Hemming Park stage money hits snag in Jax Council committee

Jax Council special committee OKs property donation bill, 2015-519

Jacksonville Economic Development committee tackles downtown investment, distressed areas

Jax Council Finance Committee defers property donation, human trafficking bills, OKs Project Rex

Tommy Hazouri backs Doyle Carter for Jax Council VP

Jacksonville City Council discusses controversial property donation bill, defers action

Joyce Morgan backs John Crescimbeni in Jax Council VP race

Doyle Carter pitches Reggie Gaffney in Jax Council VP bid, but Gaffney doesn’t come through