Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannAugust 27, 2015

Florida TaxWatch, the independent government watchdog, has added new members to its respected research and analysis team. As Florida’s economy continues to grow, the need increases for quality data for investors and a better-educated workforce, according to a statement by Florida TaxWatch CEO Dominic Calabro. “Now, more than ever,” Calabro said, “it is critical that […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

The highlight of the agenda meeting before Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting: a discussion of a potential appeal of the Property Appraiser budget (2015-616). “The success of this” sort of action is “nominal at best,” said Matt Schellenberg, referring to exchanges that he had with the Florida League of Cities. Schellenberg, of course, was not driving […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

From Aug. 13 through 15 second-term Jacksonville Councilman Matt Schellenberg attended the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Orlando, representing Jacksonville. All but two of Florida’s 412 cities are in the league. In a memo to Council President Greg Anderson, Schellenberg made an interesting observation about the state government. “There is universal agreement within the organization that […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

Florida Politics has learned that Jessica Baker, governmental consultant for Ballard Partners, has left the lobbying firm’s Jacksonville office to join the Lenny Curry administration, where she will be second in command in Intergovernmental Affairs under Ali Korman Shelton. Curry and his Chief Administrative Officer, Sam Mousa, were asked about the talk that had been circulating Tuesday morning. Answering […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

James Rinaman represents Old Jacksonville in many ways. A founder of Leadership Jacksonville, the influential training camp for aspirant civic leaders, and a former Chamber of Commerce president, Rinaman’s opinion brings with it a lot of historical insight. He was also a key supporter of former mayoral candidate Bill Bishop before the first election. In a […]

Melissa RossAugust 24, 2015

Presiding over a new City Council of fresh faces, bullish on job growth and downtown development, and pushing infrastructure improvements in rapidly fraying corners of the city, Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson says it’s a new era at City Hall, as his goals align with new mayor Lenny Curry. “I think the communication level has […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 24, 2015

Last week, the city of Jacksonville’s lead veteran outreach specialist, Ricky Lewis, tendered his resignation. We see many resignation letters lately, of course. This one stands out because it spotlights issues that the Lenny Curry administration, and its new military affairs specialist Bill Spann, will have to address for veterans of the current era. “When I first started […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 24, 2015

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In what could be construed as a shot across the bow of the Lenny Curry administration, the office of Councilman Tommy Hazouri this weekend advanced an ambitious proposal to expand the library’s collection budget and increase allocations to Urban Core libraries. The moves would expand service hours and add more services to address the outcome […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2015

Though Florida Politics did not cover last week’s Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services meeting, we were able to obtain administration notes from the session, which give a strong sense as to City Council priorities that the Lenny Curry team found notable. Councilwoman Lori Boyer wondered “What funding is in our budget for the Jacksonville Day Resource Center?” As well, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2015

Expect an appointment heavy agenda at Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, as the Lenny Curry administration introduces nine appointments via the following bills. 2015-602: Jacksonville Port Authority – Appointment of John Rood 2015-603: Jacksonville Aviation Authority – Appointment of Jay Demetree 2015-604: Jacksonville Aviation Authority – Appointment of Russell Thomas 2015-605: Art in Public Places – Appointment […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Personnel note: Florida TaxWatch expands research and analysis team

Property appraiser budget emergency appeal falls at Jax Council meeting

Matt Schellenberg reports that Florida cities “tired of unfunded mandates” from Tallahassee

Personnel note: Jessica Baker joins Lenny Curry administration

James Rinaman lambastes Lenny Curry for abolishing Jax port task force

Jax Council Prez Greg Anderson: “We can’t damage our river”

Outgoing veteran outreach specialist asks how Jax will deal with homeless female vets

Tommy Hazouri floats proposal to “rebuild” Jax library system

Lenny Curry administration notes from Jax Parks and Rec budget meeting

Slew of Lenny Curry appointments at Jax Council meeting