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

Gary FineoutAugust 29, 2015

Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell abruptly resigned on Friday amid questions about her travel, spending and work habits. O’Connell, whose resignation takes effect Oct. 1, said in a letter to Gov. Rick Scott that she was leaving in order to “explore opportunities in the private sector.” But the announcement that she was stepping down came […]

Gary FineoutAugust 20, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is defending the use of taxpayer money to pay a hefty legal settlement, but there are questions about whether his administration was transparent in how it got the money. State officials last week paid $700,000 to Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews to settle seven lawsuits. The lawsuits contended that Scott, Attorney General Pam […]

Gary FineoutAugust 20, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott, reigniting a budget fight with the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature, says the state is nearly out of money to lure companies to Florida. Scott plans to deliver that stinging message Thursday when he is scheduled to address the board of directors of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s economic development agency that is meeting […]

Gary FineoutAugust 17, 2015

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature — split this year over health care and a new state budget — is divided yet again, this time over a new map for congressional districts. With just days left in their Special Session, legislators in the House and Senate are now working on different plans to change the state’s 27 […]

Gary FineoutAugust 15, 2015

Florida law enforcement officers provided around-the-clock security for Attorney General Pam Bondi for six weeks this year due to a threat that is still under investigation. Authorities had not previously acknowledged the threat until Friday. That’s because a new report released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement showed the state had spent more than […]

Gary FineoutAugust 14, 2015

Two organizations that successfully sued the Florida Legislature over the state’s congressional map contended Friday that Republicans were plotting to help a freshman GOP congressman save his seat. State legislators are in the middle of a 12-day special session to draw up a new map for the state’s 27 congressional districts after the state Supreme Courtruled […]

Gary FineoutAugust 9, 2015

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature, stung by a harshly worded ruling from the state’s highest court, returns to the state Capitol this week for a 12-day special session to draw up new congressional districts. The final outcome could prompt a major shakeup for the state’s congressional delegation and short-circuit or resurrect the careers of some of the […]

Gary FineoutJuly 30, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Cabinet are going to settle a bitter land dispute that has sparked acrimony and a handful of different lawsuits. Scott and the Cabinet are expected next week to approve a deal to end three years of litigation with Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews, a persistent critic of Scott. The […]

Gary FineoutJuly 26, 2015

Just six months ago, Gov. Rick Scott stood onstage outside the state Capitol basking in his hard-fought victory as he began his second term. Scott boldly proclaimed in his inaugural address that the campaign was over, and while there would be “robust debates on the best direction for Florida” that “we should not let partisan […]

Gary FineoutJuly 20, 2015

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature, dealing with the fallout of a sharply critical decision by the state’s highest court, will hold a nearly two-week Special Session in August to draw up new congressional districts. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner announced Monday that they’re summoning legislators back to Tallahassee to respond to the court. […]

Gary Fineout

What were the real reasons Florida Lottery secretary resigned?

Gov. Rick Scott defends payout in records lawsuit

Rick Scott says state nearly out of money to lure jobs

Florida Legislature now divided over new map for Congress

State investigating threat against Attorney General Pam Bondi

Groups that sued Legislature criticize new congressional map

Legislators return to draw new maps once again

Rick Scott to settle lawsuits over property near mansion

Rick Scott at odds again with fellow Republicans

Florida Legislature sets August dates to redraw congressional lines