Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 17, 2016

After the Committee of the Whole meeting on Jacksonville’s HRO expansion Thursday, there will be a special meeting of City Council where both HRO bills can be withdrawn, Council President Greg Anderson said This is the “same process we put in place” ahead of the establishment of this process, Anderson said. It will allow for […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2016

On the Florida Baptist Witness website, Roger Gannam of the Liberty Counsel said that while he was “pleased” that Tommy Hazouri would withdraw his bill to expand Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance, the fight is not over. “We are pleased that our efforts have shown that the city council can’t pass this bill right now,” Gannam said to the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday OKd the settlement with John Keane, while it OK’d the JEA Agreement, and increased property donation limits. The settlement between the city and John Keane, a bill described as the “gorilla in the room,” was the big talker. The settlement version of the plan would pay Keane $225,000 in […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 15, 2016

Barring an unforeseen development at Thursday’s special meeting, Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri will table his HRO expansion bill at least through May. However, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality plans on mobilizing its base Thursday nonetheless. After the Council meeting, the JCE will hold a “Yes to Equality” rally in front of the main library on […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 13, 2016

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Despite Tommy Hazouri choosing to withdraw the HRO expansion bill (and taking the slings and arrows of character assassination from HRO expansion advocates in the process), the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality remains steadfast in its commitment to a fully inclusive bill. A long statement from the JCE had a couple of interesting sentences. One of them: “We […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 13, 2016

A temporary setback for the movement to expand the Human Rights Ordinance in Jacksonville was revealed Saturday, when Tommy Hazouri announced his decision to withdraw his bill… for now. Hazouri confirmed, in a conversation Saturday, that the bill will be back sooner than later. Hazouri’s decision, according to those familiar with his thinking, was driven by […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 11, 2016

A Jacksonville City Council subcommittee took on the recurring issue of blight from donation bins for nonprofits, thrift stores, and such on Thursday. Last spring, the former Blight Committee struggled with the issue. A bill was passed prohibiting them, and then a lawsuit was filed by a company called Go Green on “free speech” grounds, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2016

Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri expressed disappointment Monday at how the HRO Committee of the Whole went last week. Hazouri’s specific beefs are with Council leadership; Council VP Lori Boyer introduced a motion for withdrawal of Hazouri’s bill, a move supported by Council President Greg Anderson. “I’m disappointed that leadership would do that,” Hazouri said in a telephone conversation. Such a […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2016

With the nation’s eyes on New Hampshire, what better time is there for a Jacksonville City Council power grab than Tuesday night? A bill to facilitate a referendum to extend consecutive terms for Council members (and constitutional officers, including the mayor and the sheriff) from two to three will be the highlight of the agenda, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

Tag: Tommy Hazouri

Jax City Council to meet Thursday evening after HRO Committee of the Whole

Roger Gannam celebrates “temporary victory” on HRO

Jax Finance Committee reluctantly OKs John Keane settlement

Jax Coalition for Equality to rally Thursday after City Council meeting

On HRO, no compromise for Jax Coalition for Equality

Tommy Hazouri to withdraw HRO bill

Jax Council wrestles anew with donation bin blight

Tommy Hazouri “disappointed” in Jax Council leadership

Term limits bill highlights Jax City Council Tuesday

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO