Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council will attempt to fix its written communications policy, and finalize its ongoing conflict with former Police and Fire Pension Fund head John Keane. The two bills will likely take up the most time in deliberation, with opportunities for both honest disagreement and tub-thumping demagoguery on both. The written communications bill, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 12, 2016

While Jacksonville leaders wait to see whether Tallahassee will give them the go-ahead on the Pension Tax referendum, they might want to consider the latest annual report from the Police and Fire Pension Fund, which offers disturbing auguries for the future of fund holdings. The Jax PFPF report indicates a major downturn in equity investment […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2016

The settlement agreement between the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund and the city itself, of what was to be pending litigation, exemplifies the politics of the possible. It isn’t pretty. But if (and it’s not really an “if”) the ordinance (2016-80) authorizing it, filed last week by the council president with a formal introduction […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

In Jacksonville politics in 2015, the game changed … perhaps for good. Big money went into campaigns: over $10 million, including soft money, in the mayoral race. Close to $2 million in the sheriff’s race. And even some City Council candidates who raised close to a quarter of a million dollars did so in vain. […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

The Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund Board of Trustees selected Willard Payne as its fifth member on Friday during its final meeting of 2015. Larry Schmitt nominated, noting his experience with the Jax Chamber, the Port Authority, and other boards. “I think his experience and expertise in business dealings would make him a good […]

Diane RobertsDecember 17, 2015

After careful study of the latest debate-cum-Beauty-Pageant-in-Hell, I have finally figured out what’s wrong with the Republican Party. They think real life is just like a movie. A bad, cheap movie, possibly starring Chuck Norris. Take Ted Cruz. Tuesday night he said (again) that he’d “carpet bomb” ISIL into oblivion and “find out if “sand […]

Diane RobertsDecember 16, 2015

After careful study of the latest debate-cum-Beauty-Pageant-in-Hell, I have finally figured out what’s wrong with the Republican Party. They think real life is just like a movie. A bad, cheap movie, possibly starring Chuck Norris. Take Ted Cruz. Tuesday night he said (again) that he’d “carpet bomb” ISIL into oblivion and “find out if “sand […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 23, 2015

Florida Politics has learned the city of Jacksonville has sued has sued former Police and Fire Pension Fund executive director John Keane and the fund itself for a declaratory judgement and ancillary injunctive relief in the 4th Judicial Circuit. The complaint contends that “the board has exceeded its authority” in terms of administrating the fund, specifically with […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 20, 2015

The big story from the Friday meeting of the Jacksonville Police & Fire Pension Board of Trustees: the appointment of an interim executive director and administrator: Beth McCague. McCague, a veteran finance professional, was approved by a vote of the board to start on Dec. 1, and to serve for up to a year, or […]

Tag: John Keane
A side-by-side of the Miami map plaintiffs are proposing (P5) and one the City Commission adopted last June. Image via ACLU and City of Miami.

Jax Council to mull written communications bill, John Keane deal

Jax Police and Fire Pension Fund investments underperform

Jax Police and Fire Pension Fund settlement agreement goes to City Council this week

A.G. Gancarski’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Jacksonville politics

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

Willard Payne voted onto Jax police, fire pension fund board

Diane Roberts: Hey. What could possibly go wrong?

Diane Roberts: Hey. What could possibly go wrong?

Jacksonville sues John Keane, police pension fund over Senior Staff Plan

Jax pension board’s interim director called “breath of fresh air”