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A proposed statewide property tax overhaul is headed toward the ballot - but a lawsuit claims the language voters will see is misleading. And closer to home, Duval County Public Schools is trying to lock in revenue - pushing to extend the 1‑mill school tax. Who decides what goes on the ballot, and what happens if voters say no? Plus, the politics of 2026: Democrats David Jolly and Gwen Graham join us with their pitch to lead Florida - and what they'd do about affordability, growth, and trust in government.

Kent Justice talks with Dr. Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer at the Jax Chamber, about how Jacksonville can stay competitive as AI shifts from buzzword to workplace reality. Robinson explains why the Chamber launched its new Center for Applied Infrastructure—framing “human-centered AI” as the next kind of public infrastructure—and why the goal is augmentation, not replacement: identifying what must remain human-led and using AI to remove friction in everyday work. 

The next big fight over your wallet, your neighborhood, and your local control is headed straight for the ballot box. A sweeping property tax plan will be up to Florida voters — and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is warning it could blow a massive hole in the city budget, forcing tough choices on what gets cut, what gets protected, and who ends up paying the difference.

Jacksonville entrepreneur Eun Cho shares how he went from Wall Street fund manager to co-founding Haymaker Coffee Company in 2021 - and why the brand is built around hard work, perseverance, and community.

Two conversations about power, accountability, and what Florida does next. First, Kevin Carrico shares his take on the issues driving this moment...from the pressures families feel at home to the political choices being made in Tallahassee and Washington. Then, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman, now running for U.S. Senate: his case against "rubber-stamping" war, what he says Washington gets wrong about who benefits, and why he believes Florida voters are ready for a different kind of politics.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s COO Scott SirLouis says Jacksonville is one of the biggest remaining growth opportunities for the 40-year-old, Florida-grown “family sports pub” brand. He explains how Beef’s uses site analytics (cell phone and purchase-pattern modeling) to pinpoint strong neighborhoods, why grocery-anchored centers outperform mall-front real estate for them, and what makes the chain different in a crowded sports-bar category: kid-friendly booths and game rooms, community events like trivia and bingo, and a bar program that’s part of the mix—but not the identity.

Florida issues don't seem to resolve very quickly. We put the Legislature's top concerns to Byron Donalds. The US Representative is campaigning to be Florida's next governor. He weighs in on the budget... affordability in the Sunshine State... and congressional redistricting. Then, City Councilman Jimmy Peluso is in studio. The latest on new leadership at city hall... plus the ongoing controversy over JEA.

Workforce expert and former Congressman Dr. Jason Altmire joins Kent Justice on "This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition" to talk about his new book, Trade Up, and why he believes the future of American competitiveness depends on rebuilding the skilled-trades pipeline.

Is downtown Jacksonville on the verge of a historic transformation? We're sitting down with the CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. Plus, changes are taking flight at Jacksonville International Airport. A look at the new concourse, new nonstop flights, and a third parking garage, that are all on the way. And, preparing a long-term strategic plan for Jacksonville's future. The city's Chief Resilience Officer joins us to discuss the work of the Office of Resilience.

Entrepreneur Darien “Jack” Jackson returns to This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition to open his newest downtown venture in the Elbow: Dapper Cheesesteaks downstairs paired with a cigar lounge experience upstairs in the former 11 Ocean space. Jackson walks host Kent Justice through a year of delays—from a slow permitting process and repeated plan revisions to contractor turnover that even led to litigation—before finally landing with a new construction team and clearing inspections ahead of a Friday grand opening.

Florida Lawmakers still need to pass a budget before July first. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville City Council is pressing ahead with the JEA investigation and possible subpoenas, even as business leaders call it overreach. Add the push to pause AI data centers, and the pressure of affordable housing as Downtown grows. Government law attorney Chris Hand breaks down what the law allows, what it requires, and what happens if leaders get it wrong?

Florida now requires a stand-alone personal financial literacy course for high school graduation - but guests on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition say the real question is whether it changes behavior. Host Kent Justice talks with Dr. Ronetta Wards of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) and Howard Dale of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville about what “financial literacy” should actually mean for 17- and 18-year-olds: credit, debt, taxes, budgeting, savings, investing, and even emerging currency like crypto.

Kent Justice talks with Colin Tarbert, the new CEO of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority, about what DIA actually does and what’s driving the current wave of downtown activity. Tarbert explains DIA’s role as downtown’s community redevelopment agency - collecting tax increment financing from the Northbank and Southbank and reinvesting it to spur economic growth - while also serving as the city’s economic development arm focused on downtown.

Florida politics comes with a ticking clock. A rare special session kicks off in Tallahassee with redistricting on the table, and new battles over AI rules and so-called medical freedom. But while the Capitol chases headlines, the kitchen-table issues remain unresolved: the budget, property taxes, and whether any real relief is coming. And the next campaign season is already taking shape - tight statewide races, new party talk, and early maneuvering for Jacksonville's 2027 mayor's race. Government law attorney Chris Hand joins us with what it all means, and what to watch next... On This Week in Jacksonville.

Clayton Pritchard, a Jacksonville-based product marketer with experience at Meta, LinkedIn and Twitter, joins This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition to explain his acquisition of a B2B product marketing agency (Olivine) and why he’s choosing to run it remote-first from Jacksonville Beach.

In this episode, Constant Contact’s Dave Charest explains why the most effective “one-two punch” remains social media plus email, and why email delivers more control and more reliable engagement than algorithm-driven social feeds.

This week: questions and controversy at JEA. Investigations, leadership turmoil, and what it could mean for your utility bill. Jacksonville City Councilman Michael Boylan joins me with what he says needs to happen next. Then, Florida lawmakers are headed back to Tallahassee for a high-stakes special session -- finalizing the budget, redrawing congressional maps, and debating property tax relief. State Senator Tracie Davis is here with what's on the line for Northeast Florida.

Kent Justice visits the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus in downtown Jacksonville and talks with Artistic Director Darren Dailey about how a youth arts nonprofit became a world-class cultural institution - and why that matters to the region’s growth.

This week, Dr. Ron Salem is in the hot seat: mounting questions over JEA oversight, his public clash with the utility's board leadership, and whether Duval DOGE is finding real savings for taxpayers. We'll ask what this means for Jacksonville ratepayers and city government moving forward. Plus, from soaring insurance costs and housing pressures to the battles that defined the 2026 legislative session, many Floridians are still waiting for answers.

Kent Justice talks with Jacksonville contractor Fabian Videla about the least glamorous construction bottleneck: permitting.