Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

During her campaign for Jacksonville’s City Council, Republican Anna Brosche represented what many moderates and liberals thought was a new type of Republican. Her enthusiasm for expanding the Human Rights Ordinance to the LGBT community delighted many Democrats who were appalled by the atavistic position taken by then-incumbent Kim Daniels, who described the HRO as a “very […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

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It seemed the Tommy Hazouri proposal to rebuild the Jacksonville Library system by restoring hours in challenged neighborhoods would meet with approval from the finance committee on Friday. Then, Councilman Matt Schellenberg spoke up, wondering why there is no “preference to one or two of the libraries” in his Mandarin district, which have been “excluded” from this proposal. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

A red-hot Friday session of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget review included an conversation about Jacksonville Transit Authority revenue that got to the heart of the fractious relationship between City Council and Jacksonville’s independent authorities. Councilwoman Lori Boyer held forth with an extended address about the local option gas tax as part of a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

While some journalists were in Jacksonville City Council chambers marinating in stormwater and solid waste discussions, there was other action on the #jaxpol scene, as Nate Monroe reports in the Florida Times-Union. Former mayor John Delaney and former mayoral candidate (and JAX Chamber Chair Elect) Audrey Moran were among a few dozen civic leaders who have advocated for […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

Thursday morning’s Jacksonville Finance Committee budget hearing is set to include a potpourri of departments. The first big talker was the budget for the Talent Management program, related to a tuition reimbursement program of $125,000 for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue promotional requirements. That led Councilman John Crescimbeni to ask whether it was part of collective […]

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 24, 2015

In what could be construed as a shot across the bow of the Lenny Curry administration, the office of Councilman Tommy Hazouri this weekend advanced an ambitious proposal to expand the library’s collection budget and increase allocations to Urban Core libraries. The moves would expand service hours and add more services to address the outcome […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 18, 2015

The last Rules Committee meeting of the Jacksonville City Council in August had an appointment-heavy agenda, yet there was room also to address two major issues. Included on the agenda: 2015-508, which increases fines on unlicensed contractors to bring it in line with state recommendations; and 2015-522, a bill addressing emergency roadway clearance and post-disaster […]

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 […]

Tag: Tommy Hazouri

Citing “personal conflict,” Anna Brosche will not attend Equality Florida’s 9/26 Jax Gala

Tommy Hazouri Jax library rebuild proposal survives Finance budget review

JTA, Jax Council Finance Committee spar over funding, Skyway

As the HRO turns: Thoughts on the T-U piece on the River Club meeting

JFRD tuition reimbursement under fire at Jax Finance Committee budget review

Property appraiser budget emergency appeal falls at Jax Council meeting

Tommy Hazouri floats proposal to “rebuild” Jax library system

Contractors, disaster prep on agenda in Jax Rules committee

Jax Council debates library budget, hours

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