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. GancarskiDecember 31, 2015

In November, FloridaPolitics.com reported on the people behind Illuminate Jax seeking buy in from the Lenny Curry administration to move forth with plans to light up the Jacksonville skyline. In January, they will get the meeting they sought in November. Margie Seaman of Illuminate Jax will get a long-awaited meeting with city officials in January, including […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

In Jacksonville politics in 2015, the game changed … perhaps for good. Big money went into campaigns: over $10 million, including soft money, in the mayoral race. Close to $2 million in the sheriff’s race. And even some City Council candidates who raised close to a quarter of a million dollars did so in vain. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 30, 2015

The theory of recurrence is something not unique to Jacksonville politics. In this list of five people who likely will be in the headlines, there are some familiar names. Alvin Brown: The one-term Jacksonville mayor took some time off after his narrow defeat in the May election. He surfaced on very rare occasions, through media […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 21, 2015

On Monday morning, members of the Jacksonville City Council wrestled again with Consolidation Task Force recommendations. Just a few of the highlights: • A Jacksonville Strategic Planning Commission was discussed, with Finance Chairman Bill Gulliford pushing for it to be considered in Rules. Rules Chairman Matt Schellenberg then renewed his call for three terms, discussing […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

Could the Jacksonville Big Ticket concert festival be imperiled by the EverBank Field amphitheater deal? The promoter worries, according to city emails. Saying he was “very nervous about our future in Jacksonville,” in light of the $90 million stadium improvement package that includes an amphitheater, promoter Danny Hayes emailed the Lenny Curry administration officials this month. […]

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 8, 2015

After a grueling round of committee hearings, the only question regarding the Jacksonville City Council’s approval of a $45 million investment into EverBank Field upgrades was this. Would it be 19 to 0? Or would dissident Danny Becton stand his ground and vote against the measure, as he did in two Committees? It turned out that […]

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. GancarskiDecember 1, 2015

The vote, much like the Jaguars’ game against New England this year, was never in doubt. With heavy backing from the Lenny Curry administration throughout the process, Jacksonville City Council’s Recreation, Community Development, Public Health, and Safety Committee unanimously OK’d the city’s $45 million allocation for the improvements to EverBank Field, which include a covered practice […]

Tag: Sam Mousa

Lenny Curry, the pension tax, and political capital

Illuminate Jax moving forward?

A.G. Gancarski’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Jacksonville politics

A.G. Gancarski’s 5 people to watch in Jacksonville politics in 2016

Jax Council members discuss term limits, committee structure

Big Ticket in trouble? Promoter “very nervous” about Jacksonville future

Jax Council members, administration members discuss potential government reforms

Jax City Council approves EverBank Field upgrades 19-0, a “legacy for this council”

With no discussion, Jax Rules Committee greenlights Jags stadium improvements

2nd Jax city panel, recreation committee, OKs Jaguars’ amphitheater bill