logo
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will not sign, will not veto City Council's immigration bill

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan will not sign, will not veto City Council's immigration bill

Yahoo02-04-2025
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announced Wednesday that she will not sign, nor will she veto, an immigration bill passed by the City Council last week.
She was surrounded by a dozen faith and immigrant leaders as she made the announcement.
Without her signature, the legislation will go into effect Tuesday.
You can watch the news conference below:
JACKSONVILLE MAYOR SPEAKS ON IMMIGRATION BILL
WATCH: Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, community leaders speak about City Council's immigration act
Posted by Action News Jax on Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Action News Jax's Jake Stofan will have the latest updates on CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax at 5.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NYC Board of Elections to certify GOP Council primary despite fraud claims, dead voters
NYC Board of Elections to certify GOP Council primary despite fraud claims, dead voters

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

NYC Board of Elections to certify GOP Council primary despite fraud claims, dead voters

The Board of Elections is set to certify the results of a Republican primary for a Brooklyn-based City Council seat on Tuesday even as allegations of voter fraud have loomed over the contest — infuriating the Democratic candidate in the race who believes matters should be put on hold until the irregularities can be investigated. Kayla Santosuosso, who won last month's Democratic primary for the 47th Council District, told the Daily News she has this week pleaded with the Board of Elections to delay certifying the results of the GOP primary in the 47th because of the voter fraud suspicions. Santosuosso's push comes after the board last week announced it had discovered 22 'potentially fraudulent' ballots cast in the GOP primary — a finding that could've been significant as ardent pro-Trump candidate George Sarantopoulos leads the race by just 32 votes over Richie Barsamian, the Brooklyn Republican Party's chairman. The board says it has tossed those votes, but also revealed last week it is not invalidating at least two additional ballots cast in the names of individuals who are dead, though it did say it referred those findings to the Brooklyn district attorney's office, which has launched an investigation. Despite the ballot irregularities and Santosuosso's request for a pause, Vinny Ignizio, the BOE's deputy executive director, confirmed Tuesday morning that the board would later Tuesday certify the 47th GOP primary, saying his team has 'completed a comprehensive and transparent review of all valid ballots, including a full hand count.' 'The outcome of the race has remained consistent at every stage. In accordance with New York State Election Law, all valid votes have been properly counted,' Ignizio said. 'Our responsibility now is to certify the results and proceed with preparations for the general election in November. Any specific allegations of fraud will be handled appropriately by the district attorney's office.' Santosuosso, voicing concern there could be more fraudulent ballots in the mix that haven't been detected yet, blasted the board's decision. 'The Board of Elections is certifying an election that includes ballots from dead people,' she said. 'If Republicans actually believe their own hype about election integrity, they'd be standing with me demanding a real investigation before this election is certified.' The campaigns of Sarantopoulos and Barsamian did not immediately return requests for comment. The 47th Council District, which is currently represented by term-limited Councilman Justin Brannan, spans Bay Ridge, Coney Island and some other neighboring southern Brooklyn areas. The district is expected to be one of the most competitive Council contests in November's general election, with many southern Brooklyn neighborhoods trending more conservative in recent years. Santosuosso is the chief counsel in Brannan's government office and has his backing in her bid to succeed him.

Safe space program for homeless struggles under 'red tape'-- could a change in law save it?
Safe space program for homeless struggles under 'red tape'-- could a change in law save it?

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Safe space program for homeless struggles under 'red tape'-- could a change in law save it?

Jul. 28—The Safe Outdoors Spaces program was intended to let community members, businesses and churches help those experiencing homelessness outside their doors by giving them a place to sleep off the streets, tucked away on private property. Instead, applicants say the process is covered in red tape. "We've over-regulated it such that it doesn't even work," Mayor Tim Keller said at a Monday news conference. A new amendment working its way through City Council could help break down some of those barriers and increase safe spaces across the city at a time when those experiencing homelessness are under additional scrutiny from the federal government. Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order, urging cities to break up encampments of homeless people and institutionalize them through a process called civil commitment. The order also axed federal funding for safe spaces and harm reduction programs, claiming that they promote drug use and "deprioritize accountability." In Albuquerque, where there are an estimated 2,740 people experiencing homelessness, safe spaces have struggled to get off the ground. As of April, New Creation Church on Zuni is the only safe outdoor space approved by the city in the three years since the program's inception. Every other site was denied or withdrew their application, according to a city map. The city law, as it stands, requires a permitted safe space to maintain 24/7 staff, and offer food, mental and physical health services. The first requirement in particular is prohibitively expensive for most, said New Creation Church Pastor Jesse Harden. "If you pay someone minimum wage to be there 24/7 it's over $100,000 a year, so that, right there, eliminates 99% of people who try to do it," Harden said at the Monday news conference. Quirky Books owner Gilliam Kerley is one of those 99%. Outside of the used bookstore off of Central, about 15 people camp each night in 10 tents in the store's parking lot. After receiving complaints from one local business and other callers, the city gave Kerley a choice: clear out the encampment in two weeks or pay a $1,500 fine for ordinance violations. Kerley paid the fee. For his business, Kerley said, the requirements to operate a safe space above board are too expensive and labor intensive. "Someone who is simply providing a place for people to camp shouldn't be required to be a complete wraparound social services provider," Kerley said. New amendments would lessen that requirement, mandating that safe spaces offer a minimum of three social services, which can include peer support or recovery groups, connecting residents with housing resources or offering GED assistance or adult education. The new amendments would diminish the staffing requirement from 24/7 to weekday business hours, though one person must remain on-call at all times in case of complaints or emergencies. The amendments were proposed by City Councilor Nichole Rogers at the request of the mayor's office. For those experiencing homelessness, a safe space can be a second chance. "We fell victims of circumstance, and then the financial bind and we ended up not having enough money to stay in the hotels anymore," said Michael Maldonado. "And then we found Jesse." In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, members of the New Creation Church saw an increase of people experiencing homelessness outside their doorstep, Harden said. The church pastor decided to do more. In April, the church became the first safe outdoor space approved by the city. "It's been a blessing," Maldonado said. "I'm grateful there's places like this that can help people and make the transition in a safe environment." Solve the daily Crossword

Political newcomer in top 2 for fundraising among Lansing City Council candidates
Political newcomer in top 2 for fundraising among Lansing City Council candidates

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Political newcomer in top 2 for fundraising among Lansing City Council candidates

LANSING — City campaign finance reports have been filed, giving a glimpse into the money behind city council and mayoral races this year. Jeremy Garza, a sitting Ward 2 council member who is seeking a new seat as an at-large member, has dominated recent fundraising, according to campaign finance reports that were due July 25, which cover fundraising from January through July 20. There are 19 candidates running for city council or mayor. Garza raised $48,050, which is twice as much as any other candidate, and a political newcomer raised the second most money. And while incumbent Mayor Andy Schor, who like his competitors raised fairly little recently, has nearly $180,000 on hand. Here's a deeper look: Lansing City Council at-large seats With two seats up for grabs and 10 candidates, Garza has raised $48,050, reports show. But Garza's contributions are not - with the exception of a single $50 donor - from individuals. Garza's fundraising is almost exclusively from unions or other organizations. The Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 333 union, which he helps lead as vice president, contributed $24,500, the largest single donation in the city this cycle and bigger on its own than any other candidate was able to raise overall. Garza's average donation, from 14 organizations and one individual, was $3,200. The runner-up, in the money race, is also seeking an at-large position, and collected big dollars from lots of smaller donations. Clara Martinez pulled in $21,650 from more than 150 individual donors, with only two large organizations contributing: the Michigan Education Association and the Regional Council of Carpenters gave a collective $1,500. Most of Martinez's money came from individual donors, including several city figures like Mayor Andy Schor, council member Peter Spadafore, developer Pat Gillespie and Lansing Board of Water and Light General Manager Dick Peffley. Two other candidates raised more than $10,000: Julie Vandenboom and Aurelius Christian, who each reported around $14,500. Tirstan Walters raised almost $8,000, with more than a third of that being self-funded. His donors include sitting council members Garza, Adam Hussain and Ryan Kost. Gloria Denning reported raising $600 and having almost as much on hand with $2,472 in in-kind contributions. Two candidates, Jonah Stone and Olivia Vaden, did not file reports. Mayoral race There isn't much money flowing in the mayoral races, at least on paper. Mayor Andy Schor reported raising $3,650, but the mayor reports an intimidating war chest: He has $179,268 on hand. Two of the five candidates have not filed election reports in several months, meaning the public doesn't have a window into the fundraising or expenses for David Ellis and Kelsea Hector. The three candidates who have filed raised $6,485 combined. Ellis said, in a Facebook post, that he is working with the county to get an extension for his report. Hector said they have not passed the $1,000 fundraising mark yet, but expect to pass that and submit filings soon. Brett Brockschmidt reported raising $535 and spending $1,440, with most of those expenses coming out of his own pocket. Jeffrey Brown, a sitting council member who is running for mayor, reported raising $2,500, including $1,100 from himself. 2nd ward Neither candidate for the 2nd ward seat, Erik Almquist and Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, filed a report this cycle. Both are uncontested in the August Primary election. 4th ward All three 4th ward candidates filed reports. Sitting council member Peter Spadafore, who is running for a ward seat instead of his current at-large seat, has the money advantage. Spadafore raised $18,021 and reported a balance of almost $11,000 on hand. Heath Lowry, an attorney, raised $4,795, with more than half of that from himself, and has $535 on hand. Zacharie Spurlock, a bartender and challenger, reported about $1,414 in expenses and no outside contributions. Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@ or 517-267-0415 This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing City Council candidates file campaign finance reports Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store