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Mikes on Mic

Author: Mike Miller, Mike Tolbert, Mike Hightower

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Welcome to 'Mike's on Mike,' your newest favorite political podcast.

Hosted by Mike Miller, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Hightower. We delve deep into the political landscape.

Tune in every week as we unpack the complex world of politics, observing and discussing the most pressing issues of the time.

Drawing from our extensive experience and unique perspectives, we're dedicated to providing you with thoughtful insights, sparking meaningful discussions, and challenging conventional wisdom.

So, whether you're a political junkie or just curious about what's going on in the world, 'Mikes on Mic' is here to guide you through it all.

Join us on this enlightening journey and let's dive into politics, one episode at a time!

68 Episodes
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Welcome to another episode of "Mikes on Mic," the podcast where we talk politics, government, and all things Jacksonville! Today, we've got stories, laughs, and career highlights from our hosts Mike Miller, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Hightower, along with our producer, Scott Westerman.Tolbert kicks off with a funny campaign story about a "BRATLEY FILE" and a dog race bet, while Hightower shares lessons from his shift to Blue Cross Blue Shield and his key role in the 2000 Bush vs. Gore electi...
With one of the most important elections of our lifetime coming up, Duval Supervisor of Elections, Jerry Holland joins Mike Tolbert, Mike Hightower and Mike Miller to discuss how Duval County voter data has changed since 2020, the increase in Non Party Affiliated voters and the massive task of tallying the numbers. The group discusses the evolution of voting technology, changes to the process necessitated by two recent hurricanes and the steps the Supervisor of Elections takes to ensure ...
Welcome back to Mikes On Mic!Today, we're breaking down the complexities of the upcoming November 5th general election.Join us as we discuss:How cell phones and robocalls are changing voter outreach through polling mechanics.The key statewide and local elections that will impact governance.The rise of negative campaigning and its effect on voter turnout in the current political climate.What you need to know about Constitutional Amendments 1, 3, and 4, including the hot-button issues of aborti...
Welcome back to Mikes on Mic!Homelessness in Jacksonville is a growing problem and our city is a leader in services to the homeless community. But some on the City Council who hold the purse strings are reluctant to fully fund Mayor Deegan's initiatives.This week, we visited with the executive director of Jacksonville's award-winning Sulzbacher Center, Cindy Funkhouser, about her team, the organization's services and the challenges of engaging with the homeless and the city leaders who ultima...
Welcome back to Mikes On Mic!Today we pivot from our planned discussion to focus on the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a catastrophic storm that has devastated parts of Florida and the southern United States. We will be talking about community, resilience, and the power of human spirit in the face of disaster. We thank all the first responders and volunteers who put their lives on the line to aid in recovery efforts. Mike Hightower, who is on the ground in storm-ravaged We...
Welcome back to Mikes on Mic! your go-to podcast for politics, government, and current events in Jacksonville.In today's episode, we have the honor of hosting Warren Jones, a longtime public servant and current school board member.Join us as we dive deep into pressing issues facing Duval County Schools, including upcoming school closures, financial struggles, and the potential relocation of the school board building.We'll also explore Jacksonville’s historical context, community responses, an...
Welcome back to Mikes On Mic!Today we are again featuring Nat Ford, the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA).With an extensive background of working in major markets like San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York City, Nat Ford shares his experience in managing various transit modes—from streetcars to autonomous vehicles.Join us as we explore Jacksonville's transformation in public transit, from the challenges of implementing light rail systems to the innovative steps being taken...
Welcome back to Mikes on Mic!Today we dive into the pivotal debates surrounding Jacksonville’s 2024-25 Budget!Tensions arise as we explore partisan influences on salary adjustments, the contentious funding decisions for the Mayor's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the fate of the $56 million park fund tied to the Jaguars deal.Discover how affordable housing and homelessness are pivotal battlegrounds, and the powerful role reserves play in this financial chess game.Learn about the strate...
The Mikes On Mic crew is taking the week off in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Enjoy this encore presentation of the podcast discussing Councilman Rory Diamond and the discussion about the governor’s new state slogan, “Welcome to the Free State of Florida”Tune in to the show in your favorite Podcasting Plaform.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mikes-on-mic/id1697258731Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1osbkLvqreSJPXmfaubY1M?si=yVwAAnw1TmSSzZnZ3vM...
Welcome to Mikes on Mic!On this week’s episode we delve into Jacksonville's politics focusing on the recent primary election and its implications for the upcoming general election.What might be the impact of the potential abortion and marijuana constitutional amendment proposals have on voter turnout? We also discuss the surprising outcomes of school board races, the impact of Governor DeSantis' endorsements, and the apparent continued tension between Gov. DeSantis and former President T...
Welcome back to Mikes on Mike! Today, we discuss political tensions in Jacksonville. We'll have some interesting clips from Rory Diamond, Michael Corrigan, and Major Donna Deegan.First, we examine Council Member Rory Diamond's controversial actions. He's had notable clashes with the mayor over budget and policies.Next, we address Jacksonville's identity crisis. Should the city return to its old slogan, "The Bold New City of the South"?Finally, the Mikes share stories about childhood drea...
Welcome to another engaging episode of Mikes on Mic!Today, we discuss some controversial and engaging local topics.Mark Woods, a respected columnist, shares his insights on these (including the new Florida signs) and the unexpected reactions they have sparked across the state.Today we also talk about:- The origins and impact of Florida’s new state welcome signs- The battle between state mandates and local government controlLike, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with ou...
Behind the JEA Sale: Mike Hightower, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Miller's InsightsWelcome back to Mikes on Mic!Today we are again talking about the attempted sale of JEA, Jacksonville's public utility service and the four-year prison sentence handed down on former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn. We'll be talking about Steve Busey's year-long investigation that reviewed over 600,000 documents, ultimately pointing to former Mayor Lenny Curry's significant involvement in the plan to sell JEA.We’ll also discuss t...
Welcome back to Mikes On Mic.Today break down the transformative $1.9 billion budget for Jacksonville presented by Mayor Donna Deegan. Explore how investments in infrastructure, police, and fire services are set to bring long-term returns, and learn about the aggressive push to secure federal funding for key projects like the Emerald Trail and the out east project. We'll discuss crucial topics like workforce development, homelessness, and affordable housing, alongside budget challen...
First, there's the upcoming debate in the city council over the Mayor’s $1.9 billion budget proposal. Next, we're looking at the fight over the state ballot initiatives legalizing recreational marijuana and abortion rights. We’ll talk about these topics and others with our guest columnist AG Gancarski. Tune in for a closer look at the forces shaping Jacksonville and Florida politics and what's next for the Sunshine State.Tune in to the show on your favorite Podcasting platform ...
Welcome back to Mikes On Mic. We're dissecting the erosion of home rule and ethics laws, the concerning right-wing influence, and the limitations being placed on local ethics commissions. We explore the chilling effect of requiring personal knowledge of ethics violations and the elimination of anonymous complaints, which hinder whistleblowers. Tune in for a critical discussion on the future of local media, the loss of impactful journalists, and the shifting landscape of account...
The Mikes celebrate the one year anniversary of Mikes on Mic with a look back at highlights from the past 51 episodes, including Sheriff Nat Glover, Michael Krause of Politico on the power and influence of political consultant Susie Wiles, memories of the early Jacksonville Jazz Festivals and UNF pollster Dr. Michael Bender on the changing political climate in Jacksonville. The program originates from The Jacksonville History Center with special in-studio guest, Dr. Alan Bliss, CEO of th...
Welcome back to Mikes on Mic.As we approach our one-year anniversary, today's episode features a special guest, Darnell Smith, the accomplished Chief of Staff for Mayor Deegan.Darnell shares insider perspectives on his transition from Florida Blue to city government, his role in the historic $1.4 billion stadium renovation deal, and the complex dynamics of working with a predominantly Republican city council.We also explore the challenges of funding significant city projects and the recent de...
As we wrap up our 3-part series on the proposed stadium renovation and Community Benefit Agreement, our guest is Mark Lamping, president of the Jacksonville Jaguars.Mr. Lamping discusses the transformative vision behind the Jaguars Stadium renovation project.With enthusiasm and strategic foresight, Lamping outlined how this ambitious initiative will not only redefine the game-day experience but also elevate Jacksonville's status as a premier sports destination.From state-of-the-art amenities ...
Join us in today's episode. We will explore the latest polling results. They show positive job approval ratings for key city officials and unexpected public support for downtown development.Dr. Michael Binder sheds light on critical issues like public safety, crime in Duval County, and the high-stakes decisions surrounding the stadium redevelopment project and the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).Could combining the CBA and Stadium bill into one package be a game-changer for our city?Tune i...
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