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

Gary FineoutNovember 5, 2015

Setting up another contentious budget battle, Florida Gov. Rick Scott was expected Thursday to call for $1 billion in tax cuts, most of it targeted at businesses. Scott’s is recommending the hefty amount despite signs that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will resist going along with such a large tax cut package. Scott, however, will argue […]

Gary FineoutOctober 29, 2015

Amid an ugly political brawl in which one senator publicly accused another of being a bully, the Florida Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved a new map for the state’s 40 senate districts. But some senators predicted shortly after the 22-18 vote that the proposal may not pass the Republican-controlled Florida House. That’s because the Senate […]

Gary FineoutOctober 23, 2015

Saying that his current relationship with Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum is “broken and irreparable,” the chairman of the university board stepped down from his post on Friday. Rufus Montgomery, an alumnus and a successful lobbyist in Georgia, notified other university trustees of his decision in a brief statement. Montgomery will remain on the […]

Gary FineoutOctober 19, 2015

Florida’s Republican-led Legislature, which has split this year over everything from health care spending to new congressional districts, could be engulfed in a new political firestorm. Legislators opened up a 19-day Special Session on Monday with the goal of redrawing state Senate districts. Legislative leaders called the Special Session after the Senate acknowledged in court […]

Gary FineoutOctober 19, 2015

Despite a bumpy and contentious year, the Republican-led Florida Legislature returns to the state Capitol on Monday with the goal of trying to draw up new maps for 40 state Senate districts. It’s the third Special Session of the year for legislators, and also marks the third time that lawmakers have altered the boundaries of […]

Gary FineoutOctober 16, 2015

A tussle over the website used by the Florida Department of Education has resulted in the ouster of an agency employee and an animal rights group’s questioning whether state education officials are buckling under pressure from one of the state’s theme park operators. The department this month pushed out its deputy communications director after Jennifer […]

Gary FineoutOctober 15, 2015

Setting up another potential tug-of-war over spending, Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday vowed to push for another hefty package of tax cuts in the coming year. Scott did not release a specific number, but said he plans to ask the Florida Legislature to cut taxes at least $700 million in 2016. The governor’s move […]

Gary FineoutOctober 10, 2015

The political careers of several members of Congress – including a Republican seeking to become the next U.S. House speaker – could come to an abrupt halt under a sweeping overhaul of Florida’s electoral map. Florida Circuit Judge Terry Lewis on Friday recommended new boundaries for the state’s 27 congressional districts, some of which would […]

Gary FineoutOctober 2, 2015

A far-reaching court ruling that could have opened the door to slot machines at dog and horse tracks across Florida has been reversed. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Friday ruled that slot machines could not be installed at a facility 25 miles west of Tallahassee. The decision was unusual because the same court […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 30, 2015

Florida officials are pondering what to do with the site of a closed reform school in the Panhandle where until recently researchers were combing the ground searching for unmarked graves and unclaimed bodies. The Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna was shuttered in 2011 and some former students have accused authorities of both […]

Gary Fineout

Despite resistance, Rick Scott wants $1 billion in tax cuts

What’s next after Florida Senate narrowly approves new Senate map

After narrow vote FAMU board chairman resigns his post

Florida legislators already at odds over new Senate maps

It’s map-drawing time again for Florida legislators

State fires employee for scrubbing SeaWorld from website at PETA’s request

Gov. Scott and Legislature could collide again over budget

Judge’s ruling upends Florida’s political landscape

Florida court reverses itself on slots

Gov. Scott and state officials debate future of closed school