Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

“The people made it clear what they wanted,” a re-elected politician said. “I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and I intend to spend it.” That politician: George W. Bush, in 2004. Bush 43 learned about the finite power of political capital the hard way: seeing his father go from 91 percent approval ratings to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2016

Tuesday’s meeting of the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee was not without its highlights. — Chief Financial Officer Mike Weinstein was on hand, discussing the extension of the 1/2 cent Better Jacksonville Plan tax to pay for the Unfunded Liability on public pensions, a presentation he had made earlier on Tuesday in RCDPHS. Weinstein, on his […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 5, 2016

Jacksonville City Council’s Tuesday Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety (RCDPHS) committee meeting was highlighted by Pension Tax and Public Health talk, and an extended discussion of a controversial Fire and Rescue salary allocation from September’s budget hearings. The Health Department’s Kelly Wells announced new initiatives, such as the 60 Days to Better Health challenge […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 16, 2015

On Wednesday, Jacksonville City Council members Lori Boyer and Bill Gulliford met with members of the Lenny Curry administration, including Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa and Chief Financial Officer Mike Weinstein, to discuss issues related to recommendations related to the Task Force on Consolidated Government. At least a few of the reforms discussed may find their way into the 2016 […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2015

Rules, the third Jacksonville City Council committee deliberating the bill, approved the EverBank Field amphitheater package on Tuesday afternoon without even a moment of committee discussion. The bill allocates $90 million for stadium improvements, including a new amphitheater, a covered practice field, and other enhancements to the Sports Complex. With no discussion at all, Rules […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 30, 2015

A packed Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting Monday included what Chairman Bill Gulliford described as a “dog and pony show” related to Jaguars stadium upgrades and an update on the Police and Fire Pension Fund imbroglio, among other issues. If this were pro wrestling, it would be a supercard. Paul Harden, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ superlobbyist, was on […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 25, 2015

If you’re reading this, you likely have a positive relationship with the Thanksgiving holiday. This should be especially true for the doughty stalwarts of the #JaxPol universe, where seemingly everyone, from the congressional level down to City Council, have tangible things for which they should be grateful. U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, for one, can be grateful […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 18, 2015

Bill Gulliford celebrated his 72nd birthday by chairing the JEA Agreement meeting, promising, at long last, an extended discussion of the contribution formula, before a vote on it next Tuesday. The proposal specs: a 10-year agreement, starting October 2016; a contribution floor of $114,187,538; a reset of tax millage to achieve the floor; an annual […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 17, 2015

Jacksonville City Council’s Rules Committee considered a number of bills and appointments Tuesday. The big issue on the agenda was the Jaguars amphitheater bill, which CFO Mike Weinstein said “has been filed” but is not yet up in the city’s bill search system. The proposal, which has had copious substitutions, will be scrutinized this week […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 16, 2015

A crowded agenda greeted the seven stalwart members of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Monday, including economic development incentive deals. Some highlights: An economic development deal with Fidelity Global Brokerage group was approved. The city throws in $360,000 and the state, $1.44 million; 300 jobs would be created. Another one, “Project Revere,” creating […]

Tag: Mike Weinstein
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Lenny Curry, the pension tax, and political capital

Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee discusses pension tax plan

Jax rec committee talks public health, pension tax plan, JFRD budget

Jax Council members, administration members discuss potential government reforms

With no discussion, Jax Rules Committee greenlights Jags stadium improvements

Jax Finance Committee OKs amphitheater deal

Thanksgiving, the #JaxPol edition

JEA Agreement meeting addresses contribution formula proposal

Highlights from Tuesday’s Jax Rules Committee meeting

Jax Finance Committee approves economic development deals