A recent poll from the University of North Florida shows housing costs and property taxes are among the biggest worries for Floridians heading into 2026. “Affordability, affordability, affordability. That is the dominant theme of this poll,” said government law attorney Chris Hand.

As the federal government shutdown approaches the one-month mark, the effects are already being felt by everyday Americans, says government law attorney Chris Hand during our weekly segment, Hand on Government on This Week In Jacksonville.

The Florida-Georgia college football rivalry, a Jacksonville tradition since 1933, will temporarily move away from the city due to stadium renovations, with games scheduled in Atlanta and Tampa for the next two years.

Gov. Ron DeSantis told an interviewer that the Florida Legislature will take up the task of revising the congressional map in the spring of 2025. He said the new map could include the current 28 seats or possibly 29 seats if Florida is awarded an additional congressional seat.

Currently, all city agencies, including the school board, must rely on the OGC for legal representation. Supporters of the change believe it could attract better candidates and potentially save the district money. However, some board members and community members worry the move is politically motivated.

Chris Hand, a government law attorney and government efficiency expert, joined us on The Morning Show to discuss what the Florida DOGE team is looking for and whether the governor expects to find any inefficiency or impropriety.

The City of Jacksonville’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year has drawn attention from many, including government law attorney Chris Hand, who shared his insights on surprising elements in the $2 billion spending plan.

Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed using Camp Blanding, the Florida National Guard’s headquarters in Clay County, as a potential site for a new immigration detention facility — an idea that has sparked mixed reactions among local residents.

As Florida’s legislative session enters its final week, lawmakers are racing against the clock to address several key issues before the May 2 deadline.

After Amendments 3 and 4 failed, some wonder if the supermajority requirement is fair.

Beyond President-elect Donald Trump’s win, Republicans have taken control of the Senate with a little cushion above 50 seats. Meanwhile, the U.S. House was still in play Wednesday evening but leaning Republican.

There are six amendments on the ballot that Florida voter's will decide on for the November election.

Q. A Jacksonville Today reader, Courtney S., wants to know whether it’s legal for political groups to hang out near polling locations and hand out pamphlets to voters.

School board elections have become more of a hot topic over the last few years, with the elections becoming more and more partisan.

Jacksonville residents gave their thoughts on the presidential race after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.

Donald Trump’s campaign says he is “fine” after what law enforcement officials are treating as an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials said the man who opened fire was a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania. News4JAX Political Analyst Rick Mullaney and Government Law Attorney Chris Hand joined Kent Justice in this special edition of This Week in Jacksonville focused on the assassination attempt of former President Trump.

"Super Tuesday" is the single biggest day of the 2024 primary campaign with voters in 16 states casting ballots -- although not in Florida or Georgia.

Mayor Donna Deegan took office on July 1, so she’s been in office for 100 days. News4JAX looks at Deegan's biggest challenges and what lies ahead.

“Jacksonville was in a very difficult period in the mid-1960s,” said Chris Hand, a government law attorney and author of the book ‘The 50th Anniversary’ update to “A Quiet Revolution” chronicling the consolidation.

We are taking a look at the role JEA is playing in the upcoming mayoral election. The attempted sale of the Jacksonville government owned utility has made headlines over the past five years.

Two years after the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol, President Biden marked the day with a solemn tribute to fallen law enforcement officers, and members of the House held a service on the Capitol steps.

The landmark Roe v. Wade ruling Friday by the Supreme Court will have ripple effects. The issue is expected to change the way mid-term election campaigns are conducted this summer and fall.

More than a quarter of Jacksonville’s 200-year history involves something unique.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Thursday announced his sudden retirement amid controversy about a recent move from Duval to Nassau County. Meantime, six people had previously announced their intentions to run for sheriff in spring 2023 during the general election, which follows the special elections later this year.

News4JAX is looking into how that could change abortion rights in Florida and Georgia.

A federal judge in Tallahassee has ruled that Florida lawmakers overstepped their authority last year concerning an election reform law.

A Leon County judge has ruled that Florida school districts can require students to wear masks, and on this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we hear from Duval County School Board Chair Elizabeth Andersen and local attorney and parent Chris Hand. We also have state Rep. Cord Byrd, who supports parental choice. And the rush to evacuate Afghanistan has turned violent. With American and Afghan casualties, it has become emotional for veterans. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, gives his view.

Chris Hand, an attorney with a long record of public, civic and legal service in Florida, is often seen on News4Jax helping analyze political and legal developments and governmental developments.

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Jacksonville City Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber explains her view on the local option gas tax proposal. Author and local attorney Chris Hand also shares his view and provides insight on the proposal. And state Sen. Aaron Bean talks about Florida’s upcoming special legislative session.

President Donald Trump is condemning the violent supporters who stormed the nation’s Capitol on Wednesday and acknowledging the incoming administration led by President-elect Joe Biden. “He did not take any responsibility for that violence that occurred yesterday. The president said his goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote and defend American democracy, but Hand said the president still faulted the election system. “He also didn’t restore confidence in the electoral process,” Hand said. “He used part of his statement, to question the credibility of the electoral process.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Even though Duval County finished the overall counting of ballots, the canvassing board is still working to make sure every legitimate vote is accepted. By Saturday, the elections results in Duval County have to be certified and sent to the state. The canvassing board is also looking at vote-by-mail ballot where signatures don’t match the signature on file. That could have put a kink in Duval County elections results. Chris Hand, a lawyer for the Duval County Democratic Party, was one of those who raised the objection.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – All eyes are watching Florida this election but some are wondering why the Duval County Canvassing Board is trying to keep eyes away. The board, which reviews questionable ballots, is still banning cameras during its meetings and limiting the number of spectators. “The remedy really is transparency,” Marsh said. “If Duval County wants its canvassing board to have trust it needs transparency. In the state capital and 65 other elections canvassing meetings, reporters are allowed in and so are their cameras.

While President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden want Florida’s votes, Pennsylvania has taken some of the spotlight this week -- featuring the Democrats' political rock star. On Wednesday, former President Barack Obama was in Philadelphia, asking voters to support his vice president from 2009 to 2017. He said that “Florida is still critically important, but Pennsylvania may be the Florida of 2020.”“Well, Florida is always a big deal in every election. “For Donald Trump, Florida is critical. Vice President Mike Pence will visit Jacksonville this weekend, and Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was at the University of North Florida on Monday.

Iran used the information to push out spoofed emails, officials said, and also created a video that Ratcliffe said falsely suggested that voters could cast fraudulent ballots from overseas. The emails falsely purported to be from the far-right group Proud Boys and warned that “we will come after you” if the recipients didn’t vote for Trump. Though Democratic voters were targeted, Ratcliffe said the spoofed emails were intended to hurt Trump, though he did not elaborate on how. The Herald spoke to a student at the University of Florida who received one of the emails. The FBI has set up a page with helpful information to keep voters away from scams and election-related crimes.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s the most serious health threat to a sitting president in decades, and President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis could have both health and political implications ahead of Election Day. Hand believes the news has the potential to undermine the president’s all-is-well messaging on the pandemic. But a Jacksonville doctor said the relatively clean bill of health Trump has received offers reasons for optimism. Otherwise, his health is good.”“He doesn’t have any known preexisting lung disease, things like that, which could be a risk factor. Concerning the ultimate impact on the campaign and election, it may depend on the president’s diagnosis and health.

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Michelle Cook is now Clay Countys sheriff-elect, but that wasnt the case in the hours just after the election. On Wednesday, the write-in candidate -- Frank Bourrie -- withdrew from the race with a handwritten note, securing Cook as sheriff-elect. Its designed to wipe out the write-in loophole when it comes to statewide elections. Darryl Daniels has been suspended as the Clay County sheriff since he faces charges and was arrested less than a week ago. On a side note, there was a write-in candidate in the superintendent of schools race in Clay County.

President Donald Trump says hes surprised that his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, has selected Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, as his running mate. Harris is the first Black and South Asian American woman to run on a major partys ticket. Harris said she is honored to be Bidens choice to run as vice president. I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief. President Trump told reporters at a White House briefing that Harris was very disrespectful to Joe Biden during the Democratic primaries, and said its hard to pick somebody thats that disrespectful.I was more surprised than anything else because she did so poorly.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Author and attorney Chris Hand offers perspective on impeachment, the Iowa caucuses and the Jaguars playing another game overseas. City Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber has a bill that would prevent sex trafficking. And Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried talks about her 2020 agenda.

The Fire Watch: A new program for those who have served our country. Also, what 50 years of consolidation has meant for the city of Jacksonville with Chris Hand and Rick Mullaney.