Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In a meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Crescimbeni criticized the Committee of the Whole process on HRO expansion, which runs through March 3. “Whether [I was] for it or against it, I likely wouldn’t drag it out until [March] 3rd,” Crescimbeni said when asked about the HRO by Tommy Hazouri. His opposition to the protracted process pertaining to […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

One of the most hot-button issues before Jacksonville’s City Council is the decision whether to increase the number of terms city officials can serve. On Monday, it cleared its fourth and final committee. The Matt Schellenberg bill seeks to boost consecutive terms for the Jacksonville mayor, City Council, and Duval County constitutional officers from two to […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee had an action-packed Monday meeting, highlighted by unanimous approval of two pension bills, FSCJ downtown housing, and Maxwell House incentives. Meanwhile, the Term Limit referendum proved more controversial. And the Safety Officer cure legislation discussion, as ever, was “delicate.” • • • 2015-422 would allow Police and Fire Pension Fund Board […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 28, 2016

On Thursday morning, Lori Boyer met with Aaron Bowman and current Council President Greg Anderson, soliciting and receiving their support for her Jacksonville City Council presidency bid. The Boyer ascension to the top spot is a foregone conclusion at this point. The utility of these meetings: finding out the priorities of other Council members. Bowman, locked in a […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

With two HRO expansion bills in public hearing at the end of the meeting, Jacksonville’s City Council steeled itself for another extended round of public comment. The legislative agenda? Light. But even the agenda meeting had allusions to the conflict to come, such as Bill Gulliford‘s quip about a city employee moving to the Beach, saying […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

Expectations going into Tuesday’s JEA Agreement meeting were that this process may be winding toward its conclusion. Winding is the operative word here. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. And it’s being filmed in slow motion. The terms by and large had been agreed to in principle weeks before, regarding JEA’s contribution floor and other […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

The Jacksonville Vehicles for Hire subcommittee met Tuesday for the latest skirmish between the Uber/Lyft rideshare side and traditional taxicab companies. The agenda included “a discussion of the state legislation, a look at ordinances in other cities, a discussion on enforcement of city ordinances, and an open discussion on the issue.” The big takeaway was potentially […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council VP race continued on Tuesday, with Matt Schellenberg courting supporters. Schellenberg’s meetings: with Scott Wilson, who hadn’t already committed, and Jim Love, who had pledged to frontrunner John Crescimbeni. Wilson, chair of Land Use and Zoning and previously an aide for Don Redman, would be a key pickup. Schellenberg noted that “I don’t know if we’re compatible” […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2016

Matt Schellenberg spent Monday afternoon courting support for an expected runoff scenario in the Jax Council VP race, including a scheduled meeting with Tommy Hazouri, who had already pledged to Aaron Bowman Schellenberg had already criticized Bowman, a fellow Republican, for a] running too early in his term and b] perhaps not having enough “independence” from the […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO

John Crescimbeni throws cold water on HRO process: “damage to reputation of city”

Jax term limit extension bill clears final committee

Jax Council Finance OKs pension bills, FSCJ downtown housing, term limit expansion

Lori Boyer lobbies Aaron Bowman, Greg Anderson for Jax Council prez support

HRO testimony rocks Jax City Council yet again

JEA Agreement inches closer to resolution

Jax Vehicles for Hire panel considers stiffer penalties for rogue operators

Jax Council VP candidate Matt Schellenberg hustles for votes Tuesday

Matt Schellenberg asks Tommy Hazouri for VP support