Gary Fineout, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutMarch 5, 2017

The outcome of this year’s Florida Legislature session may depend largely on a 51-year-old firebrand attorney with a deep conservative streak and a love for cigars and the band U2. New House Speaker Richard Corcoran has taken on rapper Pitbull, gotten in a knock-down fight with fellow Republican Gov. Rick Scott and vowed to keep […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 1, 2017

Beyonce, Tim Tebow or the Norse god Thor for prez? Those were some of Florida’s more unusual picks for president this past election. And the number of Florida voters who didn’t cast a vote for either Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or any other valid contender spiked in 2016, apparently in protest over the ballot choices. […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 30, 2017

After repeated delays, the mansion that was once home to one of Florida’s most well-regarded governors is finally going to swing open its doors to the public. The Grove, a historic house that symbolizes much of the state’s terrible past and transformation, will have its grand opening in March following an extensive renovation that cost […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 25, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott, brushing aside a more pessimistic outlook on the state’s financial situation, wants state legislators to slash taxes by $618 million in the coming year. During stops in three Florida cities, Scott on Wednesday will tout a tax cut package he’s asking the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature to pass this spring. It will be […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 19, 2017

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The powerful state senator trying to push through a dramatic expansion of gambling in Florida recently was working for the company that owns an iconic Miami Beach hotel interested in adding slot machines. State Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican and attorney, has acknowledged to The Associated Press that he did legal work for Turnberry Associates […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 13, 2017

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose bid for the presidency was derailed by businessman and eventual winner Donald Trump, says it’s unlikely he’ll ever run for office again. Bush, who is spending two weeks at a Texas A&M University teaching a course on the role of governors, said Thursday that he’s focused on building up […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 5, 2017

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Possibly showing its hand on the future of capital punishment in Florida, the state Supreme Court by a 5-2 vote on Wednesday forbid the state from imposing the death penalty in pending prosecutions, only to withdraw the order hours later as “prematurely issued.” The highly unusual move was made necessary by an “internal error,” according […]

Gary FineoutNovember 28, 2016

He was opposed by the Republican establishment. During a contentious campaign, he spoke forcefully about the need to crack down on immigration. And he used millions of his own money to bolster his political career. President-elect Donald Trump? No, Rick Scott, the current governor of Florida. While they are oceans apart in temperament and public […]

Gary FineoutNovember 19, 2016

Sen. Bill Nelson wants a federal investigation of how Florida uses the personal information of its 15 million licensed drivers. The Florida Democrat wrote U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Friday asking her to probe whether the state is selling information for marketing purposes without the drivers’ consent in violation of federal law. Nelson made […]

Gary FineoutNovember 10, 2016

Republican businessman Donald Trump‘s victory in Florida was buoyed by a record turnout of more than 9.5 million voters, as well as deep levels of support among whites and older voters anxious about the economy. Trump’s victory in the Sunshine State over Democrat Hillary Clinton wasn’t a landslide, but he defeated her in the battleground […]

Gary Fineout
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Combative House Speaker vows contentious Session

Beyonce, Tim Tebow for prez? Invalid votes spiked in Florida

Historic home to Gov. LeRoy Collins finally opening

Rick Scott to propose more than $600 million in tax cuts

Bill Galvano, behind gambling expansion, worked for resort seeking slots

Jeb Bush unlikely to run for office again

Florida’s high court takes puzzling turn on death penalty

Rick Scott may serve as model, and warning, for Donald Trump

Bill Nelson wants probe into Florida’s use of driver records

Donald Trump triumphed in Florida with help of whites, large turnout