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

Gary FineoutMay 1, 2015

Florida’s Republican-controlled House on Friday gave a sharply worded response to the state’s high court on whether it had the power to shut down the annual session earlier this week. Democrats in the state Senate filed a lawsuit that contended the House violated the state constitution when it adjourned more than three days before the […]

Gary FineoutApril 29, 2015

The annual session of the Florida Legislature limped to a premature end Wednesday amid finger-pointing and threats of possible lawsuits. The House abruptly adjourned a day earlier, with leaders contending there was no reason to remain at the Capitol as long as they continue to have a stalemate with Senate leaders over a new state […]

Gary FineoutApril 27, 2015

The Legislature will end its annual session Friday, but legislators still have not reached a deal on a new budget. That’s because the Republican-controlled House and Senate are at odds about health care, including whether to accept federal money linked to President Barack Obama‘s health overhaul. Here’s a look at what’s going on and what […]

Gary FineoutApril 21, 2015

Backers of Florida’s professional sports franchises are mounting a drive in the waning moments of this year’s session of the Legislature to help out three teams and Daytona International Speedway. A Senate panel on Tuesday tacked a provision into an economic development bill that would guarantee taxpayer money to the racetrack and the stadiums used […]

Gary FineoutApril 17, 2015

Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera broke Florida’s ethics law and should pay nearly $60,000 in fines and restitution, a state panel concluded Friday. The Miami Republican, who has been a long-time friend of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, is accused of double-billing taxpayers for travel expenses while he was a state legislator and failing to properly […]

Gary FineoutApril 13, 2015

Here’s a snapshot of where Florida Sen. Marco Rubio stands on issues likely to be debated during the Republican presidential primaries, as he enters the race. IMMIGRATION Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba, was a co-author of a bipartisan immigration overhaul that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the U.S. illegally. […]

Gary FineoutApril 7, 2015

A growing standoff about health care is creating a divide between the Republican-controlled Florida Senate and Gov. Rick Scott. A Senate panel Tuesday refused to confirm a top appointee of the Scott administration after he would not answer questions about whether he supports the Senate plan to expand health care coverage to 800,000 Floridians. The […]

Gary FineoutApril 7, 2015

A push to bring Las Vegas-styled resort casinos to South Florida is once again being rejected by the state Legislature. The idea was a long shot from the start, but a top House Republican on Tuesday filed a revamped gambling proposal that drops any mention of casinos. House Majority Leader Dana Young kicked off the […]

Gary FineoutApril 2, 2015

Florida legislators say there just isn’t enough money for everything when it comes to crafting a new state budget. State workers, for example, aren’t getting a raise. There’s no money for new judges to handle the growing number of cases in the courts. There’s more money for schools, but most of it is coming from […]

Gary FineoutMarch 31, 2015

Amid growing budget discord that could derail this year’s session of the Florida Legislature, Senate President Andy Gardiner dispatched two top Republican senators to Washington to talk with federal officials about more than $1 billion in health care grants the state could soon lose. Gardiner, an Orlando Republican who works for a hospital, took the […]

Gary Fineout
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

Florida House to court: Ending session early is legal

Legislative session limps to close amid acrimony, standoff

Budget stalemate: A look at what’s happening

Florida Senate revives push to help pro sports teams

Ethics panel: David Rivera deserves fine, reprimand

Where They Stand: Marco Rubio on key issues of 2016 campaign

Senate holding firm on health care despite standoff

Dana Young unveils new, retooled House gaming proposal

Legislators stuff budget with millions for projects

Florida senators meet with feds on health care money