Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2015

A resolution of support for Local Bill J-1 to be considered by the Duval County Legislative Delegation was the principal item of legislative interest in Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council Rules and Land Use and Zoning committee meetings. The goal of the bill is to provide allowances for space and seating requirements in a specialized zone called […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2015

Fireworks emerged in Tuesday’s meeting of the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee when Councilman Tommy Hazouri stood in opposition to the appointment of Kirk Wendland as Economic Development Officer during what otherwise was an uncontroversial group of appointments. Hazouri has not been thrilled with Mayor Lenny Curry‘s approach to composition of independent boards, yet this […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 14, 2015

Monday’s meeting of City Councils Neighborhood Improvement and Enhancement Committee was to be highlighted by subcommittee presentations about the persistent issues of vehicle requirements and backing cars into driveways. However, the real highlight ended up being a committee inquiry into federal law, overly restrictive FCC guidelines relative to robocalls, and a potential lawsuit against Google […]

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 10, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon, some small but important steps were made toward accomplishing something essential in Jacksonville: making the contracts process more transparent. Councilman Tommy Hazouri, a former mayor and probably the most dyed-in-the-wool populist on the current Council, scheduled a meeting with Council Vice-President Lori Boyer, who has as much experience with contracts on the current Council […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 8, 2015

The Tuesday night Jacksonville City Council meeting was expected, for the most part, to be quiet. The principal drama of the budget is forestalled until Sept. 21 meeting, and the big talker, going in, was expected to be the Police and Fire Pension Fund’s senior staff retirement plan. In the wake of the retirement of Police and […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 8, 2015

The first Jacksonville City Council meeting of September offers something for everyone. Those who show up on time can expect Councilman Tommy Hazouri to deliver a proclamation honoring “the working men and women of Jacksonville” for their contributions to the civic good. Still waiting on the proclamation honoring those who are work-averse. Those tuned in […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 1, 2015

The Jacksonville Public Library has had a rough decade. Ten years of budget cuts have taken the beleaguered JPL past the point of efficiency into the realm of austerity. However, of late there has been hope, says Barbara Gubbin, JPL director. In welcoming Mayor Lenny Curry, Gubbin mentioned that she and her staff have been on “tenterhooks,” […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

If you’re getting a sense of deja vu, it’s not unfounded. Monday’s Jacksonville City Council Neighborhood Improvement and Community Enhancement Committee meeting revisited a lot of popular topics. One such topic: the Snipe Signs legislation. Councilman John Crescimbeni updated the committee on the progress made toward enhancing fines last week in discussion. Councilman Bill Gulliford observed that […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

Earlier Monday, we discussed Anna Brosche’s decision not to participate in the Equality Florida gala Sept. 26. Is there a rift between the Jacksonville councilwoman and the group? According to Stratton Pollitzer of the Equality Florida Action PAC, not so much. “Here’s a little more context from us. Anna’s staff let us know that she was extremely […]

Tag: Tommy Hazouri

Local Bill J-1 backed by two Jax Council committees

In Rules Committee, Tommy Hazouri opposes Kirk Wendland’s appointment to Office of Economic Development

Jax NICE committee questions federal law, proposes suing Google in snipe sign discussion

Jax TEU approves disaster debris landfill, supports ferry grant application

Sam Mousa, Jax Council members discuss transparency in contracts

Jax Council refers PFPF Senior Staff retirement plan legality question to Finance

Charlotte’s Web, pension highlight Tuesday’s Jax City Council meeting

For Lenny Curry and Jax Public Library, JAXREADS embodies 1C1J

Jax NICE Committee mulls snipe signs, covered vehicles again

Equality Florida: No rift with Anna Brosche