Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2018

On the issue of the potential sale of Jacksonville public utility JEA, a narrative turning point occurred Tuesday. City Council members voted to expand the five-person special committee of sale skeptics to include the full council while divesting the panel of subpoena powers (such as those imposed on JEA CEO Paul McElroy two weeks prior). In […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 28, 2018

Jacksonville’s City Hall has been roiled for weeks with claims and counterclaims about whether or not Mayor Lenny Curry wants to sell the local utility, JEA. Tuesday evening saw a floor motion to successfully kneecap a five-person special committee that was evaluating whether or not JEA should be sold; the committee now includes everyone on the […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 28, 2018

On WJCT’s “First Coast Connect“, Jacksonville City Councilman Garrett Dennis sat for his first interview Wednesday since the Council made the decision to strip the JEA Special Committee of subpoena power and include everyone on council in the committee. As expected, Dennis (a member of what was a five-person committee and a staunch critic of selling JEA) […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 26, 2018

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche got her task force to look at transparency in local government. The bill (2018-133) passed Tuesday’s Council agenda after having passed the Rules Committee unanimously last week, though the vote didn’t reflect issues between one committee member and a controversial nominee. “The Task Force on Open Government” will “undertake an in-depth review of […]

Staff ReportsMarch 23, 2018

Readers may note a focus on campaigns in Jacksonville Bold this week. With the Legislative Session over, we are now heading into campaign season. While Gov. Rick Scott seeks the right time to launch his bid for the U.S. Senate against Bill Nelson, facing no primary competition if he does so, pretty much everyone else […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2018

Joseph Peppers‘ bid for the CEO slot in Jacksonville’s Kids Hope Alliance has been controversial, given he was on the new board. A resignation tendered Sunday evening should remove some of that controversy. “After careful prayer and consideration,” Peppers wrote, “I have decided to submit my resignation from the Kids Hope Alliance Board. I am […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2018

$12.5 million for Jacksonville’s Talleyrand Connector, an ambitious reconfiguration of Hart Bridge offramps that would route traffic on surface streets by the stadium and toward the port, escaped Gov. Rick Scott‘s veto pen Friday. The money is 1/4 of the $50 million Jacksonville anticipates needing for the total project. Jacksonville is pursuing $25 million in infrastructure […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2018

On Thursday, a Jacksonville City Council panel again delved into the relative merits of selling JEA, the local utility. As has been the case throughout this discussion, flashpoints of tension abounded, kicked off by a familiar antagonist of the Mayor’s Office. The tension led to not one but two witnesses refusing to testify, given the committee […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2018

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams both showed quiet February fundraising for their re-election bids. Curry, who filed this month for re-election, did not report fundraising yet for his campaign account. The same holds true for the local “Jacksonville on the Rise” committee set up to support the re-election (though with a six-figure ad buy, […]

Staff ReportsMarch 15, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session finally wrapped. Now, in front of us, the madcap dash to the 2018 primaries in August is about to hit full stride. For Jacksonville area voters, especially Democrats, these are exciting times. From competitive races for Congress to state Senate and state House, there are choices on the ballot. And narratives. […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Lenny Curry denies pulling strings, intimidating Jacksonville City Council members over JEA issue

Alvin Brown: JEA a ‘tremendous asset … should remain with the people’

Duval drama: Garrett Dennis charges Lenny Curry team with intimidation, ‘subliminal tactics’

Jacksonville ‘open government task force’ passes city council

Jacksonville Bold for 3.23.18 — Five months to go

Joseph Peppers, CEO hopeful, resigns from Jacksonville Kids Hope Alliance board

Talleyrand Connector money comes to Jacksonville from Tallahassee, survives veto process

Jacksonville City Council panel to subpoena JEA CEO Paul McElroy

Quiet February fundraising for Mike Williams, Lenny Curry

Jacksonville Bold for 3.16.18 — Bottom line