Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Melissa RossApril 19, 2016

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Whether it’s the always-interesting 2016 election, Jacksonville’s pension fund issues, or the sudden congressional seat vacancy in the city, interest in politics is high on the First Coast at the moment. In fact, it’s driving a huge RSVP response to the monthly Beaches Democratic Club meeting tonight in Neptune Beach, with a featured speech by Jacksonville […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2016

A Jacksonville LGBT activist claims there was a backroom deal to spike the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) in exchange for Sen. Aaron Bean supporting the pension tax referendum in Tallahassee. Meanwhile, local leaders, including Mayor Lenny Curry and Councilman Tommy Hazouri (sponsor of the HRO bill that was pulled), refute the claim. Hazouri said that his decision to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2016

On Monday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee deferred property donation and human trafficking signage bills, and OKd Project Rex, which is expected to bring an Amazon distribution center to Jacksonville. **** 2015-519, a bill that would allow change the city’s rules for property donation that has circulated for nine months now, was considered Monday […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 16, 2016

Friday, former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford told the Florida Times-Union that he was running to replace Ander Crenshaw in CD 4. “Someone has to go up there and restore values and defend our nation,” Rutherford said to the T-U. “We have to create an environment where business can grow and thrive.” Rutherford has backing of the major players […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 14, 2016

One of the primary policy initiatives of the Lenny Curry administration in Jacksonville has been the reinstitution of the Neighborhoods Department. As of April 15, however, the search is on for a new permanent head, as Acting Director Derek Igou has tendered his three sentence resignation letter. Igou wrote Curry that while he wanted to thank Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 13, 2016

The expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance is on the backburner to LGBT people, but the First Coast Tea Party sent Mayor Lenny Curry a recent letter opposing HRO expansion. “We encourage the City Council to NOT create a new protected class,” says the letter, which notes that “Jacksonville’s business community is thriving/growing.” The First Coast Tea […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 13, 2016

When Governor Rick Scott visits a Florida town, odds are good that job creation is on the agenda. Wednesday in Jacksonville was no exception. Scott announced that Novolex will be expanding their Hilex Poly brand manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, which will create 25 new jobs and invest $6 million in the local community. Novolex makes plastic […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 13, 2016

The big story in Jacksonville this week: the race to replace Ander Crenshaw in the United States Congress. One potential candidate, Mayor Lenny Curry, has ruled it out multiple times in the last twenty-four hours, including at a Wednesday media availability on Jacksonville’s Westside. “Ander let me know,” Curry said, calling Crenshaw a “friend and mentor” and saying […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 12, 2016

A national championship occasions many victory speeches, as the national champion Ribault Lady Trojans found out Tuesday afternoon. Hemming Park in Jacksonville was jampacked with hundreds of well-wishers in Trojan Blue. And the stage was no less packed, with over a dozen politicians ranging from School Board and City Council members to Mayor Lenny Curry […]

Tag: Lenny Curry

Heavy RSVPs, pointed questions for Tommy Hazouri ahead of Jax Beaches Dems confab

Did Aaron Bean kill the Jacksonville HRO?

Jax Council Finance Committee defers property donation, human trafficking bills, OKs Project Rex

Former Jax Sheriff John Rutherford is instant frontrunner in CD 4 race

Derek Igou out as acting head of Jax Neighborhoods Department

First Coast Tea Party says HRO expansion advocates herd them “like sheep to the slaughter”

Rick Scott honors Jax company, ceremonially signs tax cut bill

Lenny Curry rules out House run, but John Delaney, Lake Ray consider it

Jacksonville City Council discusses controversial property donation bill, defers action

Jacksonville celebrates its national champs, the Ribault Lady Trojans