Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2016

Mayor Lenny Curry is going to have 19 versions of the same conversation in the coming days and weeks, as Council members ready budgetary requests. Curry spokeswoman Marsha Oliver said it plainly: “It’s budget prep time. They are discussing the budget and the city’s financial future.” Tuesday afternoon’s schedule for Curry tells the tale: Meetings abound, with […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 5, 2016

Jacksonville is determined to do whatever is necessary to help victims of sexual assault. That was the message Tuesday from three of the most powerful politicians in the city: Mayor Lenny Curry, Sheriff Mike Williams, and State Attorney Angela Corey. Jacksonville, of course, has been active in working against that scourge for a while. The Sexual Assault Advisory […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2016

Monday evening’s Community Conversation at WJCT brought together a panel of local experts on addressing health “needs and disparities.” For political watchers, however, there was a subtext: one of the panelists, Jacksonville City Council VP Lori Boyer, is poised to be President in a few months. And in that role, she will be Council’s “voice,” and […]

Melissa RossApril 4, 2016

On the heels of a new Florida law requiring speedier testing of rape kits, advocates in North Florida are speaking out about the high rate of sexual assault in the region. A Community Speak Out is set for Tuesday morning at Jacksonville City Hall, featuring representatives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, Florida […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee resumed Monday after its “fifth week” break, considering contract disparity and pension fund issues, along with a surprisingly controversial bill on human trafficking signs that was deferred after some discussion. • A presentation on investment management expenses of pension funds, including the Police and Fire Pension Fund and the […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 4, 2016

Given that many proponents of expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance were disappointed that the most recent push toward HRO expansion ended up short of that goal, it’s interesting that the official position of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality has been to laud the positive policy outcome from the debate: the Mayoral Directive, issued in […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 2, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is probably the most health-conscious of any recent mayor. He’s known for his distance runs through downtown, which culminate with a closing sprint as he nears City Hall. And on his first World Health Day as mayor, Curry is choosing to launch a “citywide health initiative.” “Journey to One” will launch officially […]

Melissa RossMarch 30, 2016

News that problems still persist at Jacksonville’s troubled Eureka Garden public housing complex has local activists such as Denise Hunt steaming. “I’m disgusted. I was assured these problems would be solved, and I even offered a case management plan of action to help solve some of the inequities out there. I feel like I got […]

Melissa RossMarch 29, 2016

Placing the blame on everything from “media misinformation” to the tortured legacy of the Jim Crow era, a high-powered panel of Jacksonville officials held forth on racial tensions in the city at a conference sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association and Florida Coastal Law School. Unsurprisingly, the most frank comments came from Edward Waters College […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2016

At the start of the year, I made 12 predictions for 2016 in Jacksonville politics. A fourth of the way through, revisiting them is useful. Some I got right. Some I got wrong. Some are still in progress. Predictions 1 and 2 revolved around the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, which was the issue du jour. […]

Tag: Lenny Curry

Budget meetings begin between Jax mayor, council members

Jax leadership mobilizes against sexual assault

Health disparities are focus of Jax Community Conversation

Jax mayor, sheriff, state attorney all to speak out at rally against sexual violence

Jax Finance Committee talks pension fund, disparity study

Email insights: Jax Coalition for Equality lauds mayoral non-discrimination directive

Jax to launch health initiative Thursday with surgeon general

Persistent problems at Eureka Garden complex outrage Jax activists

Jax officials discuss easing racial tensions, building community trust

A.G. Gancarski: So far, so good on 2016 predictions