Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2016

A FloridaPolitics.com report on how exposure to Global Ministries Foundation properties tanked the Memphis municipal housing bond market did not escape the notice of Jacksonville City Council President-in-waiting Lori Boyer. In the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting Monday, Boyer wanted to know if dilapidated properties at places like Washington Heights and Eureka Garden could affect Jacksonville’s municipal housing bonds, […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 2, 2016

In a drama-free move, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee approved a bill authorizing a referendum on extension of the half-cent sales tax on Monday. Bill 2016-300 passed unanimously as an emergency measure. CFO Mike Weinstein noted that the referendum would close the three existing pension plans, which created the $2.7 billion unfunded pension liability. “The beauty […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

A controversial bill, 2015-519, changing guidelines for city donation of vacant, buildable lots owned by the city after tax reversion for affordable housing inventory purposes, was passed by Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday. The bill doubles the permissible value of properties that can be dispensed to CHDOs and other affordable housing non-profits from $25,000 to […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry addressed the City Council Tuesday evening, regarding 2016-300, the ordinance setting an August referendum for the pension tax. Curry noted that with Council support, “we now have the opportunity to save our city from financial ruin,” by extending the half cent sales tax, before speaking to “critics” who want a new sales tax, saying […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 26, 2016

One of the byproducts of Jacksonville’s unique consolidated government is that some parts of town do as well as anywhere, and other parts have issues that are rooted in poverty and unresolved historic inequities. One jarring example of those inequities: the issues in Health Zone 1, which are heartbreaking. Half of all children live in poverty. […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

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A bill (2016-198) designed to appropriate a quarter million dollars of contingency money to a Hemming Park stage, got pushback in a Jacksonville City Council special committee Monday. Councilman John Crescimbeni said “the bill’s not ready for prime time,” while Finance Chair Bill Gulliford noted that it might be time to have a look at the long-range, five-year plan […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 25, 2016

A Jacksonville City Council Special Committee comprised of the Finance and Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety (RCDPHS) committees tackled on Monday a controversial bill, 2015-519, which regulates property donation of the 436 parcels under city ownership. The bill, passed on Monday, will be on Tuesday’s Council agenda as an addendum item. 2015-519, which […]

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 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 […]

Tag: Lori Boyer

Housing bond default couldn’t happen in Jacksonville, but concerns still loom in Council

Jax Finance Committee approves pension tax referendum

Jax Council finally passes property donation bill

Lenny Curry pitches August pension tax referendum to Council

GE commits $250K to health screenings in Jax

Hemming Park stage money hits snag in Jax Council committee

Jax Council special committee OKs property donation bill, 2015-519

Did Aaron Bean kill the Jacksonville HRO?

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

Jacksonville City Council discusses controversial property donation bill, defers action