Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 11, 2018

The final Jacksonville City Council meeting of 2019, on Tuesday evening, saw at least a hint of the interpersonal drama that has characterized the rest of the year. At issue: a bill the Rules Committee revamped that would have returned a $2.775 million grant from the United Arab Emirates. Back in October, the United Arab Emirates gave Jacksonville that money […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 3, 2018

Duval’s December begins as most months have begun the last four years: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and his ever-expanding political machine standing strong, even as political enemies recover from their latest rout. Last Tuesday saw a doubleheader: back-to-back events illustrating the futility of, as the phrase once went, raging against the machine. An older phrase […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2018

Two new bills introduced to the Jacksonville City Council Tuesday evening could, at least in theory, lead to a grant to the city from the United Arab Emirates being returned. Though if that happens, it’s over the heads of Mayor Lenny Curry and the Council President. Ordinance 2018-813 would give back that $2.775 million grant. And Ordinance 2018-790 would appropriate the […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2018

Earlier this month, the United Arab Emirates gave Jacksonville $2.775 million towards post-Irma reconstruction. The community is divided as to whether this money should be accepted, divisions that manifested in classic Jacksonville fashion only after the deal was done. Some say it’s necessary “no strings attached” money for areas that have desperate needs. Others say […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 15, 2018

On Monday, Northside Jacksonville’s A. Philip Randolph Career Academies saw Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry receive the U.S. Ambassador from the UAE, Yousef Al-Otaiba. Money was on the line. $2.775 million, to be exact (part of a $10 million grant to be divided between several cities hit hardest by Hurricane Irma.) Indeed, portions of this grant have already been delivered […]

Peter SchorschApril 10, 2018

Qatar has hired Donald Trump-connected Ballard Partners for counsel and assistance related to its outreach to government officials and business/NGO executives in Washington and Florida. The firm is to receive $2.1 million in fees, plus “reasonable costs,” during the one-year campaign that runs through March 31, 2019. Brian Ballard chaired the Trump Victory organization in Florida […]

Associated PressApril 7, 2017

Sen. Marco Rubio says the next step in Syria should be to work with Sunni governments to discuss “an alternative” government in Syria. Rubio is a Florida Republican and onetime rival of President Donald Trump. The conservative tells NBC’s “Today” show that Trump should reach out to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as […]

Associated PressJanuary 3, 2017

The decorative clock bearing the name of America’s incoming 45th president has yet to start at the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai, but the developers behind the project already are counting the money they’ve made. The 18-hole course is likely to be the first Trump-connected property to open after his Jan. 20 inauguration as […]

Associated PressDecember 31, 2016

As 2016 draws to a close, revelers around the world are bidding a weary adieu to a year filled with political surprises, prolonged conflicts and deaths of legendary celebrities. How people are ushering in the new year: AUSTRALIA Sydney sent up a dazzling tribute to 2016’s fallen icons with a New Year’s Eve fireworks display […]

Bill PrescottAugust 10, 2015

From the people determined to bring you Unplanned Parenthood, another fiesta of misogyny. On July 29, Rick Scott loudly announced investigations of Florida clinics that perform cancer screenings, HIV services, Pap tests, contraceptive care, stop-smoking programs, STD treatment, gynecological exams, and yes, abortions. The state Agency for Healthcare Administration cited four clinics: one for improper […]

Tag: United Arab Emirates
Donald Trump gets a rude awakening.

Jacksonville City Council bill to return UAE money withdrawn … twice

2019 elections a referendum on Jacksonville’s strong mayor government

’Blood money‘ reconsidered: UAE grant fight heads to Jacksonville City Council

‘Blood money’: Jacksonville City Councilors want ‘pause’ on UAE grant acceptance

Human rights no concern as UAE cuts Jacksonville a check

Qatar taps Ballard Partners for $2.1 million push ahead of emir’s visit

Marco Rubio says next step in Syria is negotiating regime change

Golf club shows pitfalls of Donald Trump presidency

Revelers bid adieu to a year of conflicts, celebrity deaths

Diane Roberts: GOP takes its lady-parts jihad to Planned Parenthood