FAVORABLE OR

PRO/UNFAVORAB
NAME RESPOND LE OR CON INTERVIEW STATEMENT ADDITIONAL INFO
TRANSPORTATION
"The Ultimate Urban Circulator (U²C) program is an investment in
Jacksonville’s infrastructure. As the city is poised to expand, so will its
citizens’ transportation needs. The U2C program will improve the
quality of life for mass-transportation users in Jacksonville,
complement our robust transportation services, and encourage
economic growth.

The chief benefit of using autonomous vehicles (AVs) is the ability to

expand services cost-effectively to meet new transportation needs
without incurring the heavy cost of new infrastructure. Additionally,
the U2C’s flexible approach to employing autonomous vehicles
ensures that our mass-transit infrastructure does not depend on the
solvency of a single parts manufacturer and reduces the need for
future infrastructure upgrades. These attributes will save future costs
while providing the best possible service to Jacksonville commuters
and is a transportation model that is being explored across the
country.

public As we expand our offerings for the community that promise to deliver
information countless benefits, we are committed to doing so sustainably and
office sent IN FAVOR OF THE safely in order enhance accessibility with vehicles that are
NAT FORD, CEO OF JTA statement PROJECT No autonomous and electric.
RAY DRIVER, JTA BOARD
MEMBER no
DEBBIE BUCKLAND, JTA
BOARD MEMBER no
MEGAN HAYWARD, JTA
BOARD MEMBER no
GREG EVANS, JTA BOARD
MEMBER no

PATRICIA GILLUM SANS,

JTA BOARD MEMBER no
AUNDRA WALLACE, JTA
BOARD MEMBER no
ARI JOLLY, JTA BOARD
MEMBER no
STATE AND FEDERAL
LEVEL
GOVERNOR RON Hasn't responded to more than 12 emails since Novemebr of
DESANTIS no ? no 2023 regarding JTA

"FDOT puts the transportation needs of each community at the center of
everything we do. We work with multiple local stakeholders who identify,
propose, and approve projects that FDOT includes in our Work Program.
This is a continual process and, as the priorities of a community may
SECRETARY JARED evolve, FDOT works with those stakeholders to ensure their priorities are
PERDUE, FDOT yes ? no reflected in our work."
Also: "No state FDOT money has been spent. Per a statement: The
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) works
collaboratively with local governments, transit agencies and other
entities to develop transportation projects that meet the needs
and vision of each community. FDOT officials routinely offer
insight and perspective on community-initiated projects that
request state funding; however, the local agency is ultimately
responsible for decision making. FDOT has committed $13 million
in funds to the $400 million project, with $7 million committed to
improvements to the current bus fleet, which is something FDOT
routinely funds. The remaining $6 million represents
approximately 1.25% of the total funding of the project, however,
FDOT has not yet paid JTA for any work associated with this
agreement.
It is FDOT’s understanding that approximately $247 million for
this project would come from the local gas tax that was approved
by the Jacksonville City Council in May 2021.“

USDOT supports good and innovative investments, that will improve

YVETTE TAYLOR, FEDERAL
TRANSIT AUTHORITY AT
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION yes
American communities, such as JTA’s project. Federal support can
accelerate the application of new technologies for transit projects and
expand transportation options so people can have increased access to
jobs and opportunities. In Jacksonville, the JTA will introduce
autonomous vehicles along a transportation corridor in downtown
Jacksonville and serve as the initial phase of a larger project. FTA
IN FAVOR OF THE continues to work closely with JTA on advancing this project through
PROJECT NO completion. (Sent by spokesman)
 Good morning, Emily – I checked in with the Florida TaxWatch
team, and they aren’t able to weigh in on this issue at this time,
but thank you for the background you provided and for reaching
out. (I asked if this is because JTA was a sponsor of TaxWatch's
fall meeting at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club) Response: Emily,
that is not the case at all. Florida TaxWatch often comments on
local issues that our research team has had a chance to
thoroughly review, and in other cases, where we produce reports
– for example, see this September 2023 report on the City of
Jacksonville’s approach to green infrastructure or, just this
month, our report on the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed stadium
deal. However, we have not had the opportunity to research this
specific local project to the extent we would be able to offer a
FL TAX WATCH yes refused comment no fully informed, well-rounded perspective at this time.
DUVAL DELEGATION

STATE SENATOR CLAY

YARBOROGH (R) NASSAU
AND DUVAL COUNTIES no ? no On the transportation committee
cancelled,
never "Senator Davis’ schedule could no longer accommodate the
STATE SENATOR TRACIE rebooked or interview, as she commitments this week. Senator Davis
DAVIS, (D) DUVAL sent a explained that she unfortunately just didn’t have the window of
COUNTY yes ? statement time for the interview."
STATE REP. WYMAN
DUGGAN, (R ) DUVAL
COUNTY no ?

"I am disappointed by the failure of JTA to meet current deadlines and

am getting a bit concerned. I have requested a meeting with the CEO to
discuss where JTA is with the project. We have to ensure we are being
good stewards of the taxpayers money and based on all I've read
changed from yes, but recently, I don't know if that's happening. I look forward to having an
STATE REP. ANGIE NIXON, favorable to changed open dialog and asking tough questions, so our community receives the
(D) DUVAL COUNTY yes unfavorable stance services they need."
STATE REP. KIMBERLY
DANIELS, (D) DUVAL
COUNTY no ? no
STATE REP. DEAN BLACK,
(R ) NASSUA AND DUVAL
COUNTIES no ? no Chair of Duval GOP
STATE REP. KIYAN
MICHAEL, (R ) DUVAL yes,
COUNTY autoresponse ? no

"Thank you for taking the time to email me. Due to the volume of
email that I receive, I am sending this automated response to
confirm that I have received your correspondence as I may be
unable to respond to your email personally. However, please
know that your email is being read. I value your views and
welcome your participation as it is valuable to the Florida
legislative process."
STATE REP. JESSICA
BAKER, (R ) DUVAL
COUNTY yes ? no asked for deadloine on 4/22, never heard back
U.S. CONGRESS

CONGRESSMAN AARON
BEAN, (R ) 4TH DISTRICT-
NORTHEAST FLORIDA no ? no no was breifed on the project by JTA, per quarterly reports
CONGRESSMAN JOHN
RUTHERFORD, (R ) 5TH
DISTRICT, NORTHEAST IN FAVOR OF THE "I think this project has great potential and could be the crown jewel of
FLORIDA yes PROJECT no downtown." was breifed on the project by JTA, per quarterly reports
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE

Emily asked, "I know the Mayor has called Nat Ford a “visionary” and
expressed support for the U2C in the past. But in light of these major
FDOT concerns, would she like to send a comment?" Phil Perry from
Mayor Donna Deegan's office responded, "We aren’t aware of those
IN FAVOR OF THE specific concerns. Based on the facts that have been presented to us, we
MAYOR DONNA DEEGAN no PROJECT no have confidence in Nat Ford, the JTA board, and this project."

LORI BOYER, CEO OF

JACKSONVILLE
DOWNTOWN
INVESTIMENT AUTHORITY no ? no

Hello Emily - I am going to respectfully decline to comment on this, I

honestly don't know enough to speak intelligently about the subject. Am I
for sound fiscal spending? Absolutely yes. May I suggest reaching out to
COUNCIL MEMBER KEN council member Ju Coby Pittman since she is the city council's liaison to
AMARO, DISTRICT 1 yes no comment no the JTA. Thank you for your understanding
COUNCIL MEMBER MIKE
GAY, DISTRICT 2 no ? no
COUNCIL MEMBER WILL
LAHNEN, DISTRICT 3 no ? no
COUNCIL MEMBER KEVIN
CARRICO, DISTRICT 4 no
COUNCIL MEMBER JOE
CARLUCCI, DISTRICT 5 no
COUNCIL MEMBER
MICHAEL BOYLAN,
DISTRICT 6 no
COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY
PELUSO, DISTRICT 7 yes
COUNCIL MEMBER
REGGIE GAFFNEY JR,
DISTRICT 8 no
COUNCIL MEMBER
TYRONA CLARK-MURRAY,
DISTRICT 9 yes
COUNCIL MEMBER
JU'COBY PITTMAN,
DISTRICT 10 yes
COUNCIL MEMBER RAUL
ARIAS, DISTRICT 11 no
COUNCIL MEMBER RANDY
WHITE, DISTRICT 12 no
COUNCIL MEMBER RORY
DIAMOND, DISTRICT 13 yes
COUNCIL MEMBER
RAHMAN JOHNSON,
DISTRICT 14 yes
COUNCIL MEMBER
TERRANCE FREEMAN, AT
LARGE no
COUNCIL PRESIDENT RON
SALEM, AT LARGE yes
COUNCIL MEMBER NICK
HOWLAND, AT LARGE yes
COUNCIL MEMBER MATT
CARLUCCI, AT LARGE yes
COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS
MILLER, AT LARGE no
? no
? no
? no
IN FAVOR OF THE
PROJECT yes
? no
reviewing info,
then did not
respond no
file:///C:/Users/eturner/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/C
ontent.Outlook/9D5CVHT2/Response%20to%20Emily%20Turner%20-
unclear no %204-25-24.pdf
? no
? no
IN FAVOR OF THE
PROJECT yes
IN FAVOR OF THE
PROJECT yes
? no
? no told me he trusts the process of board accountability His political consultant is also paid by JTA
I’ve really not had time to research in detail the U2C yet. It’s been
a busy few weeks on Council (Southbank storage, fuel depot, etc)
and at The Fire Watch. We’re about to announce that Northeast
Florida has had the best 3-year veteran suicide reduction in the
country. That’s why I directed you to Jacoby. I know this is your
passion. Can we meet on it in May and you can lay out all the
? no issues with JTA? I do want to see what you've learned.
IN FAVOR OF THE
PROJECT yes
? no