Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council’s Vehicles for Hire Committee discussed legislation Tuesday related to such transportation, including Uber and Lyft. No new ground was covered; no resolution to the ongoing battle between the taxicab industry and transportation network companies was to be had. Casting a shadow over this committee’s process was the legislative process in Tallahassee. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2016

Monday saw the Florida Senate Finance and Tax Committee pass the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill that would allow a referendum authorizing the half cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax to be extended until 2060, to pay off Jacksonville’s unfunded pension liability. Ahead of the committee meeting, Lenny Curry lobbied committee members, via private January meetings with Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2016

With the nation’s eyes on New Hampshire, what better time is there for a Jacksonville City Council power grab than Tuesday night? A bill to facilitate a referendum to extend consecutive terms for Council members (and constitutional officers, including the mayor and the sheriff) from two to three will be the highlight of the agenda, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

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An interesting development out of Jacksonville’s Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety committee: Reggie Brown going off on the Public Service Grants council criteria, and then (more interestingly) addressing the removal of people from volunteer boards, which was a big part of the early days of the Lenny Curry administration as he removed Alvin Brown appointees and […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

One of the more interesting results of the 2011 Jacksonville City Council elections: Matt Schellenberg beating Jack Webb. Schellenberg, in his second term, is pushing legislation for a referendum to extend consecutive terms for Council members, constitutional officers, and the mayor to three terms. This would, as the bill now stands, allow Schellenberg to stand for re-election. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

One of the most hot-button issues before Jacksonville’s City Council is the decision whether to increase the number of terms city officials can serve. On Monday, it cleared its fourth and final committee. The Matt Schellenberg bill seeks to boost consecutive terms for the Jacksonville mayor, City Council, and Duval County constitutional officers from two to […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 1, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee had an action-packed Monday meeting, highlighted by unanimous approval of two pension bills, FSCJ downtown housing, and Maxwell House incentives. Meanwhile, the Term Limit referendum proved more controversial. And the Safety Officer cure legislation discussion, as ever, was “delicate.” • • • 2015-422 would allow Police and Fire Pension Fund Board […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2016

Barring the unexpected, Lori Boyer will be Jacksonville City Council President. Wednesday meetings with Council members (Anna Brosche, Matt Schellenberg, and Tommy Hazouri) were intended to let her make her case, while finding out what her colleagues’ vision for Boyer’s presidential year might be. “We can change the face of this city,” Boyer said in the meeting with Brosche. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

The Jacksonville Vehicles for Hire subcommittee met Tuesday for the latest skirmish between the Uber/Lyft rideshare side and traditional taxicab companies. The agenda included “a discussion of the state legislation, a look at ordinances in other cities, a discussion on enforcement of city ordinances, and an open discussion on the issue.” The big takeaway was potentially […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council VP race continued on Tuesday, with Matt Schellenberg courting supporters. Schellenberg’s meetings: with Scott Wilson, who hadn’t already committed, and Jim Love, who had pledged to frontrunner John Crescimbeni. Wilson, chair of Land Use and Zoning and previously an aide for Don Redman, would be a key pickup. Schellenberg noted that “I don’t know if we’re compatible” […]

Tag: Matt Schellenberg
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Jax Vehicles for Hire Committee stalls

Jacksonville “pension tax” bill clears 2nd Senate committee

Term limits bill highlights Jax City Council Tuesday

Reggie Brown attacks removal of people from Jacksonville volunteer boards

Is Jack Webb looking for a rematch against Matt Schellenberg?

Jax term limit extension bill clears final committee

Jax Council Finance OKs pension bills, FSCJ downtown housing, term limit expansion

Lori Boyer: “we can change the face of this city”

Jax Vehicles for Hire panel considers stiffer penalties for rogue operators

Jax Council VP candidate Matt Schellenberg hustles for votes Tuesday