Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2016

Good news: Rick Scott signed the “pension tax” bill, allowing a referendum on extending the 1/2 cent BJP tax until 2060 to deal with the unfunded pension liability. Now, the question: how to sell it to the people? Selling a sales tax referendum has been done in Jacksonville before. In fact, selling a ½ cent sales […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2016

As part of a raft of bills signed Friday, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill that passed the House and Senate by wide margins during the Legislative Session. The bill facilitates a referendum in August or November to extend the half-cent sales tax, currently earmarked for Better Jacksonville Plan project […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry calls Rick Scott the Jobs Governor. And more evidence of that came through Friday, as Scott trumpeted 20,700 new Jacksonville jobs in the past year. Governor Scott said, “Jacksonville businesses have added 20,700 new jobs and the unemployment rate has dropped to 4.5 percent, which is exciting news for families. Every job created […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 24, 2016

The big Project Star jobs announcement in Jacksonville came Thursday: City Refrigeration Holdings will establish its North American HQ in Jacksonville, bringing 100 jobs to the area at an average wage of $67,000. The subtext, however, is that these jobs wouldn’t have come to Jacksonville if it weren’t for the Jaguars’ yearly games in London. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 24, 2016

On Thursday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry discussed briefly the scandal raging around the office of U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. The common thread between the congresswoman and the JTA is Von Alexander, on the payroll for both and handling communications between the two parties. An email that Curry sent to an aide […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Council President Greg Anderson, and Jax Chamber Chair Audrey Moran have occasion for more positive talk about Jacksonville’s jobs market Thursday, as the Project Star deal will be officially announced. Legislation authorizing this passed Tuesday night. It is a a QTI project with Local Financial Support of $30,600 & a State Match of $122,400, for a total […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2016

On Wednesday, the Florida Times-Union reported that Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and his senior staff intends to meet with JTA Head Nat Ford regarding the Von Alexander situation and other issues. T-U City Hall reporter Nate Monroe says that “Curry, in an email, requested his office set up a meeting with JTA CEO Nathaniel Ford. The mayor also wants […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2016

Do law enforcement, the legal system, and local government have the public’s trust? Some of Jacksonville’s leading politicians will discuss that question Tuesday at a “Diversity & Inclusion Event” sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association & Florida Coastal Law School. Among the panelists: Chief Judge Mark Mahon, Mayor Lenny Curry, State Attorney Angela Corey, Public […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2016

In an attempt to put a “stronger focus on neighborhoods” and to impose “cost controls,” the Jacksonville City Council passed 17-0 comprehensive reorganization legislation Tuesday night that created a Neighborhoods Department. The legislation has been a priority of the Curry administration from before the inauguration, and would mitigate the effects of a reorganization in the previous […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

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

How to sell a sales tax referendum in Jacksonville

Governor signs Jax Pension Tax bill; Now Lenny Curry has to sell it

Rick Scott says Jacksonville up more than 20,000 jobs in past year

Project Star validates Jacksonville/London ties, says Lenny Curry

Lenny Curry addresses Nat Ford, JTA, Corrine Brown situation

Lenny Curry, Greg Anderson to announce Project Star deal Thursday

Report: Lenny Curry to meet with JTA head about recent controversies

Lenny Curry, Mike Williams, Angela Corey to participate in diversity panel

Jacksonville City Council passes Neighborhoods bill