by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Republican mayoral candidate Mike Hogan cast his opponent, Democrat Alvin Brown, as a “rookie” while Brown said his “outsider” status positioned him better to tackle one of the City’s biggest issues.
Both were referring to pension negotiations between the City and its unions on the more than $1 billion in unfunded liability.
They were responding to questions during a forum by the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Arlington Council at Jacksonville University.
Asked how each would handle negotiations with unions if elected, Hogan responded first, calling the issue “very complicated.”
Hogan said many factors, including the economic downturn and the City’s borrowing habits, contributed to the system’s current problematic state. The contract between the City and the Police and Fire Pension Fund board of trustees expires in 2030, he said.
He said that any changes, such as switching from a defined benefit to defined contribution plan, must be settled at the negotiating table.
Hogan said tax and fee hikes are not an option to fund the current system, so negotiations must take place. He called the alternatives, including massive layoffs and declaring bankruptcy, as “horrible.”
Hogan discussed his advantage in dealing with unions from his time in the private business sector with BellSouth and posed a question.
“Who do you want bargaining,” asked Hogan, “someone who’s done that and has experience or a rookie?”
Brown, answering second, seemed initially taken aback by Hogan’s answer and responded to the question stating that pension negotiations on the City’s side needed to be handled by someone without ties to local government, “an outsider.”
Brown touted his experience with organizations at the federal level as evidence of how he could successfully tackle pension negotiations.
Pension negotiations, he said, weren’t a quick fix.
“It’s not going to happen overnight,” said Brown.
Candidates answered individual questions regarding union activity.
Hogan was asked how he could negotiate with unions while being endorsed by them.
Hogan, who is the Duval County tax collector, said he was happy to have numerous endorsements, including from the police and fire unions. He said he is “always on the taxpayers’ side” and wouldn’t sell his name for an endorsement.
Brown was asked about recently picketing with a union and how he could effectively negotiate with unions if he was on the same side.
Brown said his support of protesting unions recently was in reaction to Gov. Rick Scott’s education cuts and as mayor would do so again on the issue.
“Sometimes you have to take a stand and do what is right,” said Brown. “I would do it again for education.”
Also at the forum:
• A question whether the candidates supported accepting federal grants that required matching local funds was answered in somewhat different fashions. Hogan, answering first, said he agreed with rejecting some federal grants, such as high-speed rail money, and praised Scott for declining the funds. He mentioned Better Jacksonville Plan projects and the purchase of a
fire boat as examples of pro-
jects with recurring maintenance and questioned where those funds would come from. “Some you would deny, some you
would accept,”said Hogan.
Brown said he thought grants were important and specifical-
ly mentioned education-related grants in the face of budget cuts as being important. Brown said he would tap into federal funds that went into sustainable projects.
•The last question of the forum related to appearances for each candidate. Asked about avoiding speaking to some organizations, Brown disagreed and said he’d “go anywhere, anytime, any day to meet with voters” and stated his request for another televised appearance with Hogan.
Answering next and responding to a question regarding a televised appearance, Hogan said he enjoyed forums such as the Arlington Council’s but believed his time was better served in other venues and appearances.
The event was the only mayoral forum held by the chamber or one of its area councils. About 90 people attended.
JaxBiz, the chamber’s political affiliate, endorsed Republican candidate Audrey Moran in the first election. She came in third behind Hogan and Brown.
JaxBiz declined to endorse either Hogan or Brown in the general election and instead encouraged chamber members to fully understand each of the candidate’s philosophies and how they align with chamber priorities. Early voting begins Monday.
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