Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 10, 2016

Yes for Jacksonville, a committee formed to sell the pension tax referendum to Jacksonville voters, raised $225,000 in April, its first month in existence. Among the deep-pocketed donors: Wayne Weaver, the former Jaguars owner, who gave $50,000. Also donating $50,000: Thomas Petway III and Thomas Petway IV, and U.S. Assure, their insurance company. Like Weaver, the Petways were […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 7, 2016

A new survey shows Duval residents’ support for the pension tax referendum and for expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance. The University of North Florida poll showed 36 percent support among 380 Duval County residents interviewed for the pension tax proposal, with 24 percent against it and 40 percent with no opinion. Though support for the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 6, 2016

Yes for Jacksonville, a campaign committee devoted to educating Duval County residents on the necessity of extending the current half-cent sales tax to address the city’s crippling unfunded pension liability, unveiled its bipartisan leadership committee Friday afternoon. Mayor Lenny Curry will chair Yes for Jacksonville. Former Sheriff Nat Glover and City Hall legend Susie Wiles will serve as […]

Melissa RossMarch 29, 2016

Placing the blame on everything from “media misinformation” to the tortured legacy of the Jim Crow era, a high-powered panel of Jacksonville officials held forth on racial tensions in the city at a conference sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association and Florida Coastal Law School. Unsurprisingly, the most frank comments came from Edward Waters College […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2016

Do law enforcement, the legal system, and local government have the public’s trust? Some of Jacksonville’s leading politicians will discuss that question Tuesday at a “Diversity & Inclusion Event” sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association & Florida Coastal Law School. Among the panelists: Chief Judge Mark Mahon, Mayor Lenny Curry, State Attorney Angela Corey, Public […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

The Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund Board of Trustees selected Willard Payne as its fifth member on Friday during its final meeting of 2015. Larry Schmitt nominated, noting his experience with the Jax Chamber, the Port Authority, and other boards. “I think his experience and expertise in business dealings would make him a good […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 20, 2015

The big story from the Friday meeting of the Jacksonville Police & Fire Pension Board of Trustees: the appointment of an interim executive director and administrator: Beth McCague. McCague, a veteran finance professional, was approved by a vote of the board to start on Dec. 1, and to serve for up to a year, or […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 19, 2015

When it comes to the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension, nothing is easy. Not even a 4-1 vote by the Police and Fire Pension Board to approve 2015-304, the agreement passed by Jacksonville’s City Council by a 14-4 margin at last week’s meeting. A lot of passions were stirred; passions about making sure the first […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 14, 2015

On Thursday morning at J. Gardner Nip Sams Park in Northwest Jacksonville, Mayor Alvin Brown announced two anti-crime initiatives he hopes will combine to limit crime locally this summer. The first initiative: an expansion of the Rec N’ Roll Jax program from eight parks last year to 18 this year. Nip Sams Park is one […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 30, 2015

Just a week ago, as the Jacksonville First Election approached, I was hearing from people regarding the question of whether or not Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown could clear 50 percent against Lenny Curry, Bill Bishop and Omega Allen. There was a school of thought that his campaign was surging at exactly the right time, and that Jacksonville […]

Tag: Nat Glover
Image via Palatka Main Street.

‘Yes for Jacksonville’ committee raises $225,000 in April

New poll: Duval residents support Lenny Curry’s pension tax, HRO expansion

‘Yes for Jacksonville’ unveils bipartisan leadership team

Jax officials discuss easing racial tensions, building community trust

Lenny Curry, Mike Williams, Angela Corey to participate in diversity panel

Willard Payne voted onto Jax police, fire pension fund board

Jax pension board’s interim director called “breath of fresh air”

Emotions run high as Jax Police and Fire Pension Board OKs deal

Alvin Brown rolls out anti-crime initiatives

Loser of the week? Notes on Alvin Brown’s perception problem