Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 19, 2016

In the Jacksonville City Council Neighborhoods, Community Investments, and Services Committee Monday, a measure was approved to rename a local park as a memorial to the El Faro victims. The renaming of the Dames Point Park was described by bill sponsor Al Ferraro as “so much more than the renaming of a park.” Tote Maritime […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 27, 2016

Endorsements continue to pile up for Northeast Florida candidates as the Aug. 30 primary date in state House and U.S. House races approaches. — In the GOP race in Congressional District 4, Lake Ray scored an endorsement from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, along with the National Realtor Association and Florida Realtors. “Lake Ray is a proven […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 18, 2016

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After a budget presentation that saw draconian cuts imposed on the Friends of Hemming Park, with $250,000 of new money allocated in Lenny Curry‘s new budget, the Jacksonville City Council took some whacks at the pinata. A new council auditor’s report on FOHP detailed lots of incidental spending, including on coffee and meals that members of […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 28, 2016

The Arlington neighborhood of Jacksonville is like a former beauty queen who lost her looks. The strip malls look rough now — half empty in many cases, and the retail trends downmarket. The neighborhoods look rough — more renters than previous years, more owner-occupied homes headed into foreclosure, despite the strong macroeconomic numbers that would seem to […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 24, 2016

In the Jacksonville City Council leadership elections, the main event was anticlimactic. Everyone knew current Vice President Lori Boyer would be voted in as president-designate, offering meaningful continuity after the presidency of Greg Anderson. However, the VP-designate race between Doyle Carter and John Crescimbeni offered considerably more drama, with both men deadlocked at eight pledges each ahead of the special […]

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. 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 […]

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 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 […]

Tag: Joyce Morgan

Jax poised to re-dedicate Dames Point Park to honor El Faro crew

Endorsements continue to pile up in NE Florida races

‘Frivolous’ Hemming Park spending raises Jax Council concerns

Jax pension tax referendum gets resistance at Arlington town hall

Jax City Council elects Lori Boyer president, John Crescimbeni vice-president

Jacksonville City Council authorizes August pension tax referendum

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

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

Jacksonville City Council discusses controversial property donation bill, defers action