Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiOctober 8, 2015

The persistent, percussive oomph of oom-pah polka filled the air, drowning out the off-record conversations among elected officials and those they represent in Hemming Plaza on Wednesday night, as Jacksonville’s storied Art Walk held its third Oktoberfest celebration. The main attraction for political watchers: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, who was joined by longtime Jaguars mascot Curtis “Jaxson […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 5, 2015

The long-awaited JTA presentation to the Jacksonville Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee on the way forward for the much-maligned Skyway finally occurred on Monday afternoon. Scheduled originally for a committee meeting in September, scheduling confusion pushed back the original presentation. The options on the table range from overhauling vehicles, creating new vehicles, decommissioning the Skyway once obsolete, […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 29, 2015

Jacksonville Democrat Leslie Jean-Bart so far is running unopposed in the state House District 14 race, though there have been rumblings regarding how much longer that will last. With Councilman Reggie Brown, former Councilwoman Kim Daniels, and even the name of former City Councilwoman and current Director of Blight Denise Lee being linked to the race, questions have also […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2015

A much-discussed bill to increase penalties for snipe signs has cleared committees and was expected to pass the full Jacksonville City Council on Monday, which could end, at least for now, one of the most interminable debate topics this council has faced. Councilman John Crescimbeni explained the bill, which would increase fines while allowing protection for […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2015

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council’s Recreation, Community Development, Public Health and Safety Committee (RCDPHS) hosted heated discussion on a surprising matter: the amended and restated Equestrian Center contract, which was approved in Finance on Monday without any particular drama. Schellenberg questioned Alberta Hipps, former City Council president and advocate for all things Westside, who was […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 14, 2015

Approved in the Finance Committee meeting on Monday morning, the Jacksonville City Council’s Transportation Energy and Utilities Committee approved a resolution on Monday afternoon supporting the application by the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority for the Passenger Ferry Program. The resolution, introduced by Councilman John Crescimbeni and co-sponsored by Councilman Doyle Carter, notes […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 2, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee began its eighth and theoretically final day of budget review on Wednesday morning. To that end, Finance Committee Chair Bill Gulliford cautioned against “pontification,” threatening to “invoke Council rules” to rein discursiveness in. Here are the morning highlights: — A discussion of three wellness and safety positions being removed […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 25, 2015

The highlight of the agenda meeting before Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting: a discussion of a potential appeal of the Property Appraiser budget (2015-616). “The success of this” sort of action is “nominal at best,” said Matt Schellenberg, referring to exchanges that he had with the Florida League of Cities. Schellenberg, of course, was not driving […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 12, 2015

1505386_897699540260967_7350556234125561321_n-1024x1024.jpg

Right now, first-time candidate Leslie Jean-Bart is running unopposed as a Democrat in HD 14, even though rumors are flying that certain veteran Democrats are eyeing the race to succeed Mia Jones. The candidate’s fundraising has been modest thus far. A $250 July raised her total to $13,686. The vast majority of her contributions thus far have […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 11, 2015

As the new Jacksonville City Council settles in and bills wend their way through committees, Jacksonville City Council meetings haven’t truly heated up as they will during September’s budget deliberations. However, Jacksonville’s City Council is always a hotbed of entertainment and public interest, and Tuesday evening’s Council conclave was no exception. The Hemming Park funding […]

Tag: Reggie Brown

Lenny Curry leads Jax Artwalk Oktoberfest celebration

Jacksonville Transportation Authority presents Skyway options to Council TEU committee

Jax Democrat Leslie Jean-Bart debuts her HD 14 campaign Thursday

After extended discussion, Jax Council increases snipe sign fines

Jax rec panel grills Alberta Hipps on Equestrian Center funding

Jax TEU approves disaster debris landfill, supports ferry grant application

Jax Finance Committee mulls dredging, permit and stormwater fees in Wednesday morning budget wrapup

Property appraiser budget emergency appeal falls at Jax Council meeting

Quiet July for Leslie Jean-Bart HD14 fundraising

Jax City Council approves Hemming Park deal 18-1