Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 11, 2015

A vote on a plan to pay off Jacksonville’s Police and Fire pension debt will have to wait at least another two weeks. Citing concerns recently raised regarding mortality tables Council President Clay Yarbrough on Tuesday sent the bill back to its three committees. The bill was expected to be voted upon at the meeting. […]

Melissa RossMarch 5, 2015

Using the newly completed Southbank Riverwalk as a location with the city’s Main Street Bridge as a backdrop on Thursday, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown assembled a group of local business leaders to make the economic case for his re-election. After glowing introductions from local business owners, Brown stepped to the mike and touted his record […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 27, 2015

An Appeals Court ruled Thursday that the City of Jacksonville does not have to pay owners of a riverfront lot who claim the construction of a fire station lowered the property value. The next stop for the property-rights case could be the Florida Supreme Court. In a 9-5 decision, the 1st District Court of Appeal […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 26, 2015

As Jacksonville officials met Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the newly renovated Southbank Riverwalk, they also unveiled a new project designed to bring more events downtown. Built in 1985, the original wooden Riverwalk had fallen into disrepair. The $17 million project replaced the structure with a multi-colored concrete path stretching 4,000 feet. Approved by […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2015

Darden Restaurants Inc. has named interim CEO Eugene I. Lee Jr. to the post on a permanent basis. The appointment is effective immediately, the operator of Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and other restaurants said Monday. Lee will also become a board member. Darden named Lee as interim CEO in October, after a board takeover by […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 16, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council is expected to ask voters whether they are willing to pay an additional half-cent sales tax to pay off the city’s pension obligation. Councilman Bill Gulliford introduced a bill that would place the question on the city’s May election ballot. The higher tax rate would last 10 years with the money […]

Associated PressFebruary 12, 2015

The State Attorney’s Office serving Florida’s 4th Judicial Circuit has been ordered to pay about $26,000 in attorney’s fees and court costs after failing to provide public records to a citizen in a reasonable amount of time. Circuit Judge James Daniel issued the ruling Wednesday in Jacksonville. The Florida Times-Union reports Curt Lee sued State […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 3, 2015

Like a bad penny, Joshua Black keeps coming back. The St. Petersburg Republican filed a challenge on Tuesday against Rep. Dwight Dudley in Pinellas County House District 68, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Black, a former taxi driver and candidate for Dudley’s seat last year, alienated nearly every GOP member in Tampa Bay, and many […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2015

Former Jacksonville City General Counsel Jim Rinaman is supporting Bill Bishop in this spring’s mayoral race. Rinaman sat on the commission that proposed the elimination of a separate county executive or legislature, announced his endorsement of Bishop – an underdog in the race — in a letter last week. Initially, the prominent attorney threw his […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2015

Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandy Murman says she definitely will file for re-election for her District 1 seat for 2016 later this year, but hasn’t completely discarded the idea of running for a countywide seat. “I love my district and I’m happy to serve,” the Davis Islands Republican said when asked about her plans for […]

Tag: local
A nice warm evening in Tallahassee on a very busy street while taking this shot.

Jax City Council delays police, fire pension debt decision

Alvin Brown appears with business leaders, touts economic record

Appeals court sides with City of Jacksonville in property-rights case

Jax launches revamped Southbank Riverwalk, announces new event venue

Darden puts interim CEO Eugene Lee in post permanently

Sales tax bump for pension payoffs introduced for Jax ballot

Judge orders state attorney to pay lawyer costs

St. Pete Republican who wanted to hang Obama for treason files to run in HD 68

Former Jacksonville general counsel endorses underdog Bill Bishop

Sandy Murman plans to keep Hillsborough seat in 2016