Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon, a special committee on Public Service Grants was convened by the Jacksonville City Council. Chaired by Anna Brosche, the committee included Councilmembers John Crescimbeni, Sam Newby, Katrina Brown, and Reggie Gaffney. At issue was a scoring process that charitably could be called “subjective.” Groups had scores that were all over the place. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2015

“August is a tough month if you’re on Finance, because you’re keeping up with your regular council work and the Finance Committee meetings,” Greg Anderson said Monday, providing a preamble to the regular Finance Committee meeting. There will be a special committee on public service grants, Anderson said, and in about two weeks there will […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee battled Friday morning with officials over the perpetually embattled Jacksonville Public Library budget. The budget increases by 0.4% this year, yet the Council’s asks go well beyond that modest uptick. Discussions included whether or not “merit pay” or “equity pay” was part of the proposed budget increases. Councilman John Crescimbeni […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Budget Hearing Day One commenced with the administration overview, then a bracing 165-minute romp through capital improvement projects with Council Auditor Kirk Sherman. As the old song goes, “Let’s get this party started right; let’s get this party started quickly.” Overall, it was a very smooth session, with minor […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 12, 2015

During the 2015 Jacksonville campaign, District 7 Councilman Reggie Gaffney was identified by the Florida Family Action PAC as opposing the Human Rights Ordinance applying to LGBT people. Turns out the PAC got it wrong. “On the issue of the HRO Councilman Gaffney believes in equality,” Gaffney posted to his Facebook page on Monday. “The mailer […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 7, 2015

“The past is not dead. In fact, it’s not even past.” — William Faulkner The “Celebrating 50 Years: Voting Rights Act 1965-2015” event, held Thursday afternoon at the Jacksonville Public Library, proved interesting for reasons other than those intended. It was notable to see who made the long walk across Hemming Plaza toward City Hall. […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 27, 2015

Jacksonville’s issues with disparate outcomes, in terms of education and socioeconomic achievement, are well-documented. On Monday afternoon, potential solutions were explored, as veteran Duval County School Board members Constance Hall and Paula Wright hosted a quartet of new City Council members: At Large Councilwoman Anna Brosche, District 7’s Reggie Gaffney, District 8’s Katrina Brown, and District 9’s Garrett Dennis. The point […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 23, 2015

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By an 18-0 vote, the Jacksonville City Council authorized a resolution urging Housing and Urban Development to defund Eureka Gardens. It seemed clean enough at the time. Bill Sponsor Warren Jones noted that the legislation was being studied in Shelby County, Tennessee, where the same owner had eight properties. Denise Lee added that she wanted to extend […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 1, 2015

At last Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, Mayor Elect Lenny Curry spoke about the campaign being over and coming together as “One Jacksonville.” Some cynics have framed that as just rhetoric. What’s clear though is that Curry means it. Having talked to quite a few Democrats who have been elected to City Council to start next […]

Tag: Reggie Gaffney
Donald Trump. Image via AP.

Jax Public Service Grant panel member argues system is broken

Council, Curry administration joust in Jax Finance Committee

Jax Council debates library budget, hours

Jax Council budget review morning session addresses UF Health, other issues

Reggie Gaffney declares support for Jax HRO

Jax City Council approves Hemming Park deal 18-1

Corrine Brown, William Faulkner, and the VRA

Duval School Board members, new Council members plan “campaign” over lunch

Jax Council votes for resolution asking HUD to defund Eureka Gardens; controversy ensues

How Lenny Curry is reaching across party lines, and how the Jax Chamber may have the real political juice in 2015