First Coast Connect: Actuality, not austerity

First Coast Connect: Actuality, not austerity

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan presented her $2.03 billion budget Monday, choosing not to presage the fiscal impacts of a proposed property tax cut, which goes before voters in November. Deegan’s 1.1% ($22.6 million) increase over last year’s budget is modest by most measures, but diametrically opposed to the austerity budget that the Jacksonville City Council leadership has said it wants in anticipation of potentially massive ad valorem revenue reductions starting in the 2027/28 fiscal year. We break down the messaging and the meat of the budget proposal, as well as the kind of reception it can expect from lawmakers as it moves into August and September committee and public hearings. Guest: Chris Hand, local government expert, attorney and co-author with the late Sen. Bob Graham of America, the Owner's Manual [https://collegepublishing.sagepub.com/products/america-the-owners-manual-2-239708] Congressional candidate Mark Kaye Former WAPE Big Ape morning show host-turned-conservative podcaster Mark Kaye is challenging incumbent congressman John Rutherford. We ask the first-time candidate why he’s targeting the four-term incumbent lawmaker, what he’s learned about politics in his almost 20 years in media, and why he thinks he’s equipped to take on D.C. politics. We also ask him about courting controversy for retweeting [https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/03/12/jacksonville-based-radio-host-fired-for-sharing-ai-generated-photo-of-trump-with-black-voters/] a photo of President Trump surrounded by AI-generated Black supporters and what leadership style he plans to bring to the Jacksonville-to-St. Augustine 5th Congressional District. Guest: Mark Kaye, candidate for Florida's 5th Congressional District and host of Mark Kaye Saves the Republic [https://open.spotify.com/show/0MqpJyavz3vDGX7xzyM8UM] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Jacksonville’s Budget Proposal and Florida’s Property Tax Debate

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is proposing a more than $2 billion budget that includes increased funding for public safety, road projects and septic tank removal, as the City Council begins its review. Plus, a new University of North Florida poll finds support for a proposed constitutional amendment to phase out property taxes drops sharply when voters are told about the potential impact on local government budgets. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: The 'blast radius' of property tax cuts

Today, former Republican lawmaker Jeff Brandes discusses what he calls “the blast radius nobody is talking about” if a property tax cut is approved by Florida voters. Amendment 3, which appears on the November ballot, would dramatically curtail state property tax revenues, which fund most local government services, including police, fire, libraries, maintenance and community events. Brandes, who now runs a nonpartisan research institute and think tank, the Florida Policy Project, says by stripping municipal and county governments of revenue, the tax cut proposal effectively neuters local control and shifts power to the state. Earlier this month, Brandes joined former Northeast Florida Democratic congressman Al Lawson in a bipartisan lawsuit challenging the legality of the ballot language. Guest: Former Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes, founder and president of the Florida Policy Project New UNF poll A new poll takes the pulse of voters ahead of the midterm elections, including their views on candidates seeking office in Florida, AI and President Trump, as well as their biggest affordability concerns. The poll also gets an early look at how state residents might decide the all-important property tax cut amendment, which goes before voters in November. We break down the results with the head of the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab and discuss how pollsters are battling the realities of spam filters, the death of landlines, declining participation and growing voter mistrust. Guest: Sean Freeder, faculty director, UNF Public Opinion Research Lab European destination The choice of a storied local business to fill the role as one of two Riverfront Plaza restaurants wasn’t a given — European Street Cafe won the slot in a competitive bid process — but it has proved gratifying for longtime residents and city officials alike, who say the recognizable, longstanding business will reinforce the plaza’s First Coast identity. We sit down with the owner of the five-decade-old sandwich shop to discuss what customers can expect from the fourth Jacksonville location and what the mini-chain hopes to gain from a partnership with the city and its first Downtown location. Guest: Andy Zarka, owner, European Street Cafe See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: New City of Jacksonville Budget Proposal and New Carriage Rules in St. Aug.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is set to present her proposed city budget, outlining spending priorities for the coming fiscal year and kicking off the annual budget process. Meanwhile, St. Augustine begins implementing new rules for vehicles for hire, including limits on pedicabs and updated welfare standards for horse-drawn carriage operations. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: Week in Review

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: * ICE agents are involved in three deaths in just one week — including one in St. Augustine. * The governor steps up his already record-setting pace of executions, scheduling two on the same day. * The courts stop STOP WOKE — again — on college campuses. * Duval County School Board candidate Clarence James just can’t quit AI. * The “Harvard of the culinary world” agrees to make Jacksonville its Southeast home Guests: * Christina Burgess, reporter, First Coast News * Jack Webb, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council president * Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant Heat wave The Art Center Cooperative Inc. has hosted more than 100 exhibits since its inception in 2005, but its newest exhibit is a look-ahead at the future. Titled “Temperature Rising [https://www.tacjacksonville.org/temperature-rising-at-library.html],” the exhibit inside the Jacksonville Main Library explores the central question as temperatures rise: “Is it just hot outside, or is it climate change?” Featuring pieces from 22 artists, the show is open through Aug. 17, with a free reception Aug. 5 during Art Walk. Local artists have a chance to participate in the group’s next show, called “It’s In The Books,” which asks artists to create a piece inspired by their favorite book. The deadline to submit a piece is Tuesday, and the exhibit will be on display from Aug. 17 to Oct. 5. Both exhibits are supported by a Cultural Services grant, which could see impacts in the forthcoming city budget. We ask the group’s grant coordinator about the possibility of funding cuts and the value of financing community culture. Guest: Ed Malesky, wood artist, secretary and grant coordinator, Art Center Cooperative Inc. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.