Politics
Jacksonville Bold for 9.30.26: Rough ride at JTA
Attorney General James Uthmeier has opened an investigation into the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).
Uthmeier’s prosecutors issued a subpoena to Interim CEO Cleveland Ferguson for records related to tuition reimbursements and internal management communications, according to a Florida Times-Union report.
The probe comes after JTA laid off 194 employees to address a $39 million budget shortfall.
Ferguson has told the JTA Board of Directors that Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is seeking documents spanning Oct. 1, 2023, through Oct. 21, 2025, with additional requests extending into 2026, the Times-Union reported. Investigators are also examining JTA’s relationship with a development firm that does business with the agency, including connections between outgoing CEO Nat Ford, his spouse, and the firm.
Ferguson confirmed that the subpoena covers communications involving him regarding scholarships and tuition reimbursements. Ferguson has told the Board that JTA will cooperate fully with the investigation.
Jacksonville City Council Member Rory Diamond raised concerns about the probe on social media Tuesday.
“Now JTA (is) hit with criminal subpoenas,” Diamond wrote on Facebook. “The taxpayers, riders, and the decent people fired by JTA last week deserve answers and accountability. We’ve got to do better than this.”
The subpoena adds to a turbulent stretch for JTA. Beyond the September layoffs, the agency is pausing its Skyway elevated people mover on Nov. 2 and its autonomous NAVI vehicle service on Dec. 31. JTA is also restructuring bus routes citywide, including changes to the First Coast Flyer rapid transit system, with some routes shifting from 30-minute to hourly service.
Ferguson was named interim CEO in late August after Ford announced his resignation to lead the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. His formal exit is set for October.
What’s in a name?
House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan’s “Citizens for Building Florida’s Future” political committee is no more, at least not under that name.
On Sept. 11, treasurer and registered agent Noreen Fenner requested a name change to the “Better Jacksonville Committee,” suggesting that the term-limited legislator may be close to announcing a campaign against Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan next year.
Sources familiar with Duggan’s thinking say he could file to run as soon as October, months ahead of the January deadline to qualify.
Duggan’s committee has nearly $1.35 million on hand, a sharp contrast to the underfunded field of 11 challengers that has emerged thus far, though far short of Deegan’s nest egg.
Her political committee “Duval for All” has more than $2.2 million on hand; she also has nearly $175,000 in her campaign account.
Deegan led Duggan by 20 points in a recent St. Pete Polls survey of the city’s likely voters conducted for Florida Politics, drawing 53% support in a hypothetical head-to-head contest.
If that holds, it will reverse a long-term trend. No Democrat has been re-elected Mayor since Jake Godbold in 1983.
For Deegan, the near-term goal in her campaign is to get more than half the vote in March 2027. If she fails to do that, the top two finishers advance to the General Election in May.
Play ball
Meanwhile, the man looking to succeed Duggan in House District 12 has recently launched an autobiographical ad.
Former Jacksonville City Council President Terrance Freeman’s 30-second spot talks about how he went from playing professional baseball to championing apprenticeship programs and pay and benefits for first responders on the dais.
If elected, the ad says he will work to lower insurance costs, support first responders, and “create opportunity for the next generation.”
To watch the ad, please click the image below:
Susie speaks
Northeast Florida’s most famous political figure ever gave a look behind the curtain of her existential struggle with cancer to USA Today readers this month.
Susie Wiles described balancing the “brutal and unrelenting” struggle with the “demanding job” of being White House Chief of Staff as “not easy.”
“There were days when strength just meant fighting the disease with all I had. Other days, strength meant getting out of bed, getting dressed and walking into the office to do one of the most demanding jobs imaginable,” she wrote.
But the work gave her purpose, she said, beyond the struggle of regaining her health itself. And the team she built helped fill in the gaps when she needed them most.
“Throughout my fight with cancer, a talented, hardworking and deeply devoted team, inside the White House and outside, made all the difference. People stepped forward without hesitation, filled every gap, carried additional weight and never allowed me to feel that I was carrying this burden alone. I will never be able to repay them.”
Tweet, tweet:
Poll position
Floridians will soon vote on a sweeping property tax amendment, but a new poll suggests insured homeowners are more worried about another housing expense: property insurance.
A University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll found that 63% of Florida homeowners with property insurance are more concerned about insurance costs than about property taxes (36%).
That sentiment is shared across party lines, though Republicans are more concerned about taxes than other voters. Seventy percent of Democrats and 62% of no-party or other voters picked insurance, compared with 57% of Republicans. Property taxes were the bigger concern for 30% of Democrats, 36% of NPA voters and 42% of Republicans.
The age of respondents’ homes and the amount of time they’ve lived there have a significant impact on what they view as the bigger issue. Among those whose homes are 5 years old or less, a slim 50%-47% majority say they are more worried about property taxes than insurance.
The percentage of people who cite property insurance as their bigger concern steadily increases with the age of their home, with 70% of those with homes 40 years or older choosing insurance. Similarly, 48% of those who’ve lived in their home for less than five years say property taxes are their primary concern, while 70% of respondents who have lived in their home for 20 years or more name property insurance as their primary concern.
The findings come as Amendment 3 dominates discussion of housing costs ahead of November. The proposed constitutional amendment would raise the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.
A recent St. Pete Polls survey for Florida Politics put support at 45%, short of the 60% required for passage.
“Even in a rhetorical environment that would otherwise prime Floridians to think heavily about property tax, nearly two in three still said property insurance was the greater concern,” PORL Faculty Director Sean Freeder said.
Triple play
Rep. Jessica Baker faces what would be an easy re-election battle in most cycles, but in an environment where Democrats seem to have the wind in their sails, some intraparty endorsements may be helpful.
Sens. Jennifer Bradley, Tom Leek and Clay Yarborough say Baker “is a leader and proven fighter for a safer and more affordable Florida.”
“As a former prosecutor, military wife and mom, Jessica knows our communities and shares our values. We have worked closely with Jessica over the last few years and know her character, drive and determination to deliver meaningful results not only for her District, but all of Florida. Jessica Baker is the leader we trust to keep serving in House District 17, and we are proud to give her our full endorsement,” the trio says.
Baker and Leek teamed up on the Officer Jason Raynor Act that passed this year, which imposes a life sentence without parole for those found guilty of manslaughter of a police officer.
Baker is “honored to have the endorsements of Sens. Bradley, Leek and Yarborough.”
“They have been great partners as we work to build a safer and more affordable Florida. Our region and our state are blessed to have such strong champions in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing our work together.”
Baker is up against Democrat Jacob Guerrero this year. Donors are going one way in this race. He had a few hundred dollars in the bank as of Sept. 18, while Baker had more than $90,000.
Alignment announcement
Jacksonville City Council member Kevin Carrico is making his next professional move, but it’s not in electoral politics.
Carrico, a former Council President, is launching Alignment Global Partners with his wife, Daysi Jacobson Carrico.
The firm will combine “U.S. tax expertise, executive leadership and business strategy,” a press release says.
Jacobson Carrico is the tax expert, with 20 years of accounting and tax experience, including a decade with the Internal Revenue Service, where she was involved in audits.
Carrico, who was until recently the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, has a couple of decades of executive-level experience in addition to his political endeavors.
He will complete his term representing District 4 and then step away from the political realm.
“I will complete my current term on the Jacksonville City Council, but I will not seek a third term,” said Kevin Carrico. “Daysi and I are building on the strength of our established businesses with a shared vision for what comes next. After completing my term, I will devote my full professional focus to expanding that work, creating opportunity for the people we serve and building a lasting legacy for our family. Alignment Global Partners is an expression of that commitment: bringing our experience and purpose together to build something greater.”
Plans include European expansion. The Carricos expect to bring Alignment to Madrid this year, “creating a bridge for European business owners and nonprofit leaders seeking to understand and pursue opportunities in the United States.”
Three candidates have already filed for Carrico’s seat on the Council. One of them, Republican Scott Wilson, represented the District twice and served as City Council President for a year. Democrat Robert Jeffers and Republican Lisa Dirnberger round out the field.
Qualifying for the 2027 Election is in January. The first election, which sees all qualified candidates on the ballot, is in March. If no one gets a majority, the General Election is in May.
Flagler flies
Flagler College in St. Augustine snagged two top rankings in the latest U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges report. The school in the heart of the St. Augustine historic District was tied for No. 1 Regional College in the U.S. South and No. 1 Private Regional College in the South.
It’s the first time in the school’s history that it has been ranked so high on either list.
“For a college with more than five decades of educating students in the heart of historic St. Augustine, this first No. 1 ranking is both a milestone and a reflection of the people and work behind it,” said Flagler College President John Delaney.
“Being recognized as the No. 1 Regional College in the South is a tremendous achievement, but what matters most is what that recognition represents for our students: the quality of their education, the relationships they build with faculty, and the opportunities they have to turn what they learn into what comes next.”
The report also ranked Flagler College as the 16th Best Value Regional College in the South and noted that the school is a “top performer” in social mobility among Southern colleges. Flagler College was also honored as a “nationally ranked” undergraduate psychology program.
Bennett’s Blount
JAXPORT’s Board of Directors has approved naming the roadway leading to a new security entrance at the Blount Island Marine Terminal “James Bennett Way,” honoring the port’s late Chief Operating Officer, who helped develop the project.
The new entrance, currently under construction off Heckscher Drive on the St. Johns River’s north shore, is designed to improve traffic flow by easing volume at the terminal’s main gate. The project includes a 1,318-square-foot security building with a canopy and security plaza, which will also feature a plaque honoring Bennett.
“James understood that infrastructure is about more than concrete and pavement. It is about connecting people, improving safety and preparing our port for the future,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “This new entrance reflects that vision. It will provide another access point to one of our busiest terminals while honoring the person who helped bring it to life.”
Bennett spent eight years at JAXPORT, rising from Senior Director of Engineering and Construction to Chief Operating Officer.
UNF STEM
University of North Florida (UNF) science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarships are starting to pay off, thanks to a major donation from a longtime supporter of the school.
Radiation oncologist Paul Schilling donated $1 million to the UNF STEM Scholarship, which is now named after Schilling. The new scholarship is designed to increase the STEM workforce on the First Coast and provide graduates for companies in those fields, and it appears to be working.
“Science, technology, engineering and math are the keys to the future of our nation, and of humanity,” said Schilling. “STEM scholarships decrease financial burden, opening a horizon of support and focused study.”
The first class of the Schilling STEM Scholarship arrived at UNF for this Fall semester. Some 23 incoming freshmen are representing the inaugural cohort of the Scholarship. They’ll be eligible to receive up to $5,000 for each academic year they attend UNF. The scholarships are designed to support the students through their undergraduate education.
“I have always dreamed of becoming a pediatrician, and this scholarship is making that dream come true,” said recipient Yahilyn Rodriguez, who is a freshman studying biomedical sciences and the first in her family to attend college.
Schilling said his contribution to UNF is just part of broader plans to increase the number of STEM students across the U.S.
“The United States will need one million more new STEM graduates in four years,” Schilling said. “It is my hope and expectation that a scholarship of this magnitude may help to bridge this gap locally.”
Down on the farm
Two St. Johns County farmers garnered recognition for their agricultural work.
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) held its 82nd annual convention in Naples this month. Carleton Johns, vice president of Tater Farms in St. Johns County, was elected at-large Director of the FFVA during the annual Board and membership meetings.
Johns also serves on the St. Johns County Agriculture Advisory Committee. That panel serves as a link between local agricultural members and the county government. That committee identifies opportunities and agricultural interests the government will support and strengthen.
Meanwhile, the Turf Operations Manager for Tater Farms, Gage Hjort, was named to the FFVA’s Emerging Leaders Development Program. That element helps develop leadership skills for agricultural standouts in the state.
“This is a wonderful achievement for our farmers and our community,” said Prissy Fletcher, Agricultural Liaison for St. Johns County.
“FFVA recognizes the value of Tater Farms’ contributions to the agricultural industry from the perspective of diversification and experimentation. This farming family and their team understand how to evolve with the times, all while creating a supportive work environment for their employees. I am honored that we have St. Johns County representation on their Board, along with graduates from their leadership academy.”
Winning Jaguars can be better
Even with reduced capacity, there is something about the Jaguars’ play at EverBank Field lately.
On Sunday, Jacksonville throttled the defending AFC champion New England Patriots 35-6, running their home winning streak to six straight games at EverBank Stadium. In those games, the Jaguars won by an average of nearly 27 points.
However, the Jaguars will not play at EverBank Stadium again until November 1.
With a road game in Cincinnati coming this Sunday and then back-to-back games in London against the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans, the Jaguars will have to continue their early success away from the First Coast.
With a 2-1 start, however, the Jaguars have set themselves up for success this season. They are currently the only team in the AFC South with a winning record. The Indianapolis Colts are 1-2, and the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans are winless through three games.
Since the league expanded the playoff format to seven teams per conference, teams that start the season 2-1 have made the playoffs about 68% of the time. While it’s no guarantee, it’s a good start.
There are, however, several areas of concern for the Jaguars. These are not glaring weaknesses, but they should be watched over the next month to see how they play out away from home.
First, the outside pass rush. Neither Josh Hines-Allen nor Travon Walker got a hit on the quarterback against New England. In a game where the Jaguars built a big lead, the two top pass rushers didn’t get to the quarterback. Walker and Hines-Allen each have 1.5 sacks this season, leading the team. But those numbers must improve against quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts over the next two weeks.
Kickoff coverage has been a bit of an issue as well. The Jaguars gave up returns of 31 and 28 yards on two of the six kickoffs returned on Sunday. It was also a problem against the Cleveland Browns in the opener.
Brian Thomas Jr. seems to have been relegated to a platoon role. On Sunday, Thomas was on the field for 23 snaps, the same number as Josh Cameron. While Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington played 50 snaps each, Thomas saw far less action and was particularly absent on third-down situations. The Jaguars need to figure out what’s going on there.
Finally, while Trevor Lawrence has played very well in the wins, the Jaguars continue to underutilize running back Bhayshul Tuten. Tuten averaged 4.9 yards per carry on Sunday but was only given 15 chances to run the ball. They will need him.
If the Jaguars can solve the above issues, they can win the division and return to the playoffs, something they have not accomplished in consecutive seasons since 1999.
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The post Jacksonville Bold for 9.30.26: Rough ride at JTA appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..