Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2016

On Monday, the Jacksonville Civic Council issued a statement supporting the pension-tax referendum, joining other community stakeholders in backing “Mayor (Lenny) Curry’s campaign to address Jacksonville’s unfunded pension liability by identifying a dedicated funding source and lowering future pension costs.” Since 2013, the Civic Council has keyed in on what it calls the “critical issues arising from the […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2016

It was only a matter of time until a candidate for the House of Representatives from Florida’s 4th Congressional District opposed Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s key initiative this summer: getting a yes vote on the referendum to authorize an extension of the half-cent “Better Jacksonville Plan” to pay for the $2.7 billion unfunded liability on the […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2016

The state Senate races in Northeast Florida have already been decided, as incumbents Aaron Bean, Rob Bradley, and Audrey Gibson have been elected without opposition. Sen. Bean, whose name was briefly linked with a run in the 4th Congressional District race, had resources for a competitive campaign if one had happened. As of his May campaign finance […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2016

Another day, another example of institutional support for Jacksonville’s Aug. 30 referendum to extend the half-cent sales tax to defray the unfunded actuarial pension liability. On Friday, the JAXSPORTS Council board announced its support for the referendum. “It is our hope that JAXSPORTS’ endorsement of Mayor Curry’s pension proposal will send a message that this […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 23, 2016

Mayor Lenny Curry scored support from his party’s executive committee Monday for his pension-tax pitch. An email from the Republican Party of Duval County revealed Curry, who came through the ranks of the local, then the state party, got a “standing ovation” after his remarks. “Our party leaders are a tough group of fiscal conservatives who […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 23, 2016

Katie Schoettler and Jenny Busby go way back. Specifically, to the same kindergarten class. Schoettler emerged into adulthood as a Republican, working for people like Aaron Bean and John Thrasher; Busby, as a Democrat who worked for the Florida Democratic Party. Despite that difference in party label, their paths have paralleled. Both women work as assistants to members of the […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 21, 2016

J.R. Gaillot, one of three Democratic challengers to embattled incumbent Reggie Fullwood in the House District 13 race in Jacksonville, on Monday “called on the mayor and every member of the Jacksonville City Council to support Tommy Hazouri’s HRO bill.” Though the bill isn’t slated to be reintroduced until after the Aug. 30 pension tax referendum, the Fleming Island […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 18, 2016

Buses typically aren’t Republican or Democrat. However, one Jacksonville man claims a city bus is anti-Donald Trump, and he’s concerned. Meanwhile, JTA spokeswoman Leigh Ann Rassler says what was actually on all city buses was the phrase “Dump the Pump,” which is part of JTA’s participation in a national campaign to encourage people who normally drive […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 17, 2016

A Friday afternoon phone call with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry revealed the mayor’s thoughts about the Orlando Pulse tragedy, and the way forward. “There ought to be things we all can agree on,” Curry said. For starters, “a young man perpetrated a terrorist attack.” There can be, Curry said, a “productive conversation if we all can […]

Melissa RossJune 17, 2016

Expressions of sympathy and support from Jacksonville’s political leadership in the aftermath of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting massacre are falling flat with North Florida’s LGBT community. “It was a bias-motivated attack against a gay bar to kill LGBT people,” said Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette. “When leaders neuter expressions of sympathy of that fact […]

Tag: Lenny Curry

Jax Civic Council backs pension-tax referendum

Congressional candidate Bill McClure opposes Jax pension tax

No drama in Northeast Florida state Senate races

JAXSPORTS Council backs pension tax referendum

Under new leadership, Duval GOP backs mayor’s pension tax proposal

‘Future Leaders of Jax Coalition’ pushes pension tax to young voters

HD 13 Dem J.R. Gaillot calls on Jacksonville to pass HRO expansion

‘Dump Trump’ on JTA bus display, claims Jacksonville man

Lenny Curry talks Orlando Pulse tragedy, acknowledges LGBT people were targets

City of Jax ‘Dear Orlando’ postcard campaign criticized as tone-deaf