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

Gary FineoutOctober 19, 2016

Florida Democrats, expressing worries that voters could be disenfranchised, want a federal judge to impose new election rules some state officials are warning could create chaos. The Florida Democratic Party this week asked U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to order state election officials to allow people to cast a ballot during early voting even if […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 30, 2016

The Florida Lottery—which just registered more than $6 billion in annual sales—is in line for a large expansion due to a massive new contract that state officials signed this month. Lottery officials, who report to Gov. Rick Scott, signed a 13-year contract worth more than $700 million with IGT Global Solutions covering major aspects of […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 6, 2016

The big question in Tallahassee is whether you have power, and whether you think local officials are to blame for the grinding pace of restoring electricity following Hurricane Hermine. The rising anger is playing out on social media and in the political sphere, with state and local leaders trading accusations about the slow pace of […]

Gary FineoutAugust 30, 2016

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, who more than two decades ago became one of the first blacks elected to Congress from Florida since reconstruction, is battling to stay in office amid a criminal indictment and a revamped district that includes thousands of new voters. Brown’s fate will likely be decided during the Aug. 30 primary when […]

Gary FineoutAugust 28, 2016

In the months leading up to the crucial primary election, Florida’s two political parties and affiliated committees took in millions from gambling interests, utility companies and others with a stake in the outcome of this year’s contests. Campaign fundraising reports filed late Friday showed that the Florida Democratic Party raised $4.72 million in cash compared […]

Gary FineoutAugust 24, 2016

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has bragged about his influence with politicians, urged Gov. Rick Scott to give a judgeship to a Florida attorney whose work appears at odds with Trump’s hard-line stance on immigration, newly released emails show. The emails posted online late last week by the Scott administration show Trump recommended that […]

Gary FineoutAugust 24, 2016

The future of Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum remains unclear. University trustees narrowly rejected a proposal Wednesday to extend her current contract by one year. It’s the second time this summer trustees have refused to extend it and means she must leave by April 2017. Trustees voted, however, to create a special committee to […]

Gary FineoutAugust 18, 2016

Florida-Gov-Rick-Scott-signs-tough-new-abortion-law-1024x1024.jpg

A federal judge on Thursday definitively blocked a Florida abortion law that prevents state funds from going to organizations that provide abortions after the administration of Gov. Rick Scott made the unusual decision to drop further legal action. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle had placed a temporary hold on the law in June just hours […]

Gary FineoutAugust 16, 2016

A Florida appeals court rejected a bid to end the state’s largest private school voucher program on Tuesday, but it’s unclear if the ruling will end the two-year-old battle. The 1st District Court of Appeal sided with a lower court’s decision to throw out the lawsuit filed by the Florida Education Association and others, who […]

Gary FineoutAugust 13, 2016

One of Florida’s main school testing mandates, established by former Gov. Jeb Bush, came under fire Friday during an emotional three-hour long court hearing in Leon County. A group of parents from across the state are challenging a state law that prevents children from being promoted to the fourth grade if they score poorly on a […]

Gary Fineout

Democrats want judge to put in new voting rules for Florida

Florida Lottery plans major expansion under huge new deal

Power struggle? Tallahassee, state at odds in storm recovery

Despite indictment, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown trying to stay in office

Florida political parties raise millions ahead of primary

Donald Trump asked Rick Scott to appoint attorney to bench

Florida A&M leader remains in limbo after trustee vote

Judge definitively blocks Florida abortion law

Florida court backs state’s largest school voucher program

Parents who opted out of Florida school tests challenge law