Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 3, 2015

Jacksonville residents often see the cutely titled Kismet on the Riverwalk. That’s Shad Khan‘s yacht: the embodiment of the new Gilded Age, gleaming from end to end, with brass rails reflecting the unrelenting Jacksonville sun like a smile from God himself. However, relatively few have access to the Kismet. This writer has yet to be […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 30, 2015

Emails from city officials indicate that the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund board knew the forensic audit was complete on Tuesday, making their silence on the matter notable in consideration of that fact. “The media has reported that the forensic audit is complete and that you have scheduled a news conference for 1:00 p.m. […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2015

On Monday, members of the St. Johns River Ferry Commission met with representatives of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and representatives of the City Finance Department to discuss future funding for the St. Johns River Ferry … and ultimately, “whose baby” (and responsibility) the ferry is. To this end, an agreement transfer subcommittee will be formed, including Mike Weinstein, […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 21, 2015

The board moves made by Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry have been controversial and heavily politicized by local Democratic and Republican partisans, as seen in Tuesday’s Rules Committee meeting when Republican Executive Committee members showed up to back the play that Councilman Tommy Hazouri and other Democrats called “unprecedented” and “clearly partisan.” That narrative is out […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 8, 2015

As the Jacksonville mayoral campaign between Lenny Curry and Alvin Brown heated up, one of Curry’s vows was that he would institute a 90 day audit of the city’s financial situation. His rationale was summed up by an email from his campaign in late April in which he pledged to bring back “sound fiscal management.” “With news […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2015

The normally below-the-fold JEA board got headline status over the weekend when the Florida Times-Union posted an article explaining, in great detail, the board’s practice of scripting comments for board members related to a raise and a contract extension for JEA CEO Paul McElroy. This irked senior members of the Lenny Curry administration and set the […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2015

Comments at JEA board meetings have been scripted, according to a must-read piece in the Florida Times-Union over the weekend. Such comments have included talking points for board members to justify the latest raise and contract extension for JEA CEO Paul McElroy. The issue has not gone unnoticed by the Lenny Curry administration, according to a […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 12, 2015

At Jacksonville City Council last Tuesday, there was some concern expressed that, because of a $326,000 shortfall of property tax revenue, the Finance Committee would have to tweak the budget accordingly on Monday. That may not need to happen. “I think we can make up the difference on the Ad Valorem decrease if we revise […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

A red-hot Friday session of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget review included an conversation about Jacksonville Transit Authority revenue that got to the heart of the fractious relationship between City Council and Jacksonville’s independent authorities. Councilwoman Lori Boyer held forth with an extended address about the local option gas tax as part of a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

On Thursday, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee took a romp through the Public Works budget as part of its larger budget review. As the discussion proceeded from JEA and vehicle replacement to stormwater and landfill issues, tensions reared their head. Before that, many other subjects were discussed. Fun Fact: Operating expenses are up $3,7M, […]

Tag: Mike Weinstein
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

How much does it cost to party on Shad Khan’s yacht?

Why hasn’t Jax PFPF commented on forensic audit?

Future St. Johns River Ferry funding proceeds like custody battle

Wyman Duggan backs Lenny Curry board plays

The 90 day audit: Is Jacksonville on the fiscal brink?

JEA board issues feature at JEA agreement meeting, agenda notwithstanding

Lenny Curry administration incensed with JEA Board

Budget Booster: Jax “strong finish” in FY 15 sales tax revenue

JTA, Jax Council Finance Committee spar over funding, Skyway

Jax Public Works budget reveals landfill, stormwater stresses