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

Gary FineoutFebruary 10, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, citing rising debt for college students and recent graduates, urged state legislators to pass a sweeping bill lowering textbook costs and curbing tuition increases for graduate programs. Scott’s proposal is expected to be his chief priority in the upcoming session starting in March. A draft of the bill, obtained by The […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 9, 2015

The fate of Florida’s signature private-school voucher program – which began when Jeb Bush was governor – could soon be decided by a circuit judge. Opponents to the state’s tax credit scholarship program squared off for nearly two hours Monday against lawyers representing the state and parents of children enrolled in the program. Judge George […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 9, 2015

The fate of Florida’s signature private-school voucher program – which began when Jeb Bush was governor – could soon be decided by a circuit judge. Opponents to the state’s tax credit scholarship program squared off for nearly two hours Monday against lawyers representing the state and parents of children enrolled in the program. Judge George […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 5, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott apologized Thursday for the way he forced out the state’s top cop, but he continued to insist he did nothing wrong even as other Republican elected officials continue to call for additional investigations into how it was handled. Scott’s rare act of contrition came just a month after his inauguration for […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 5, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott apologized Thursday for the way he forced out the state’s top cop, but he continued to insist he did nothing wrong even as other Republican elected officials continue to call for additional investigations into how it was handled. Scott’s rare act of contrition came just a month after his inauguration for […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 5, 2015

Republican Gov. Rick Scott, weeks after embarking on his second term with the Florida economy rebounding and a brutal election behind him, has been caught in a growing scandal that is threatening to tarnish his remaining time in office. Scott is the focus of controversy over his decision to oust the head of Florida’s main […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 5, 2015

Republican Gov. Rick Scott, weeks after embarking on his second term with the Florida economy rebounding and a brutal election behind him, has been caught in a growing scandal that is threatening to tarnish his remaining time in office. Scott is the focus of controversy over his decision to oust the head of Florida’s main […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 23, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott, responding to an ongoing furor that is overshadowing his second term in office, provided a detailed response Thursday to allegations that he and his staff made improper and politically motivated requests to the state’s former top law-enforcement official. The decision by Scott’s press office to release a two-page list of questions and […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 22, 2015

College students could be getting a break on the cost of their textbooks. Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday will ask legislators to exempt textbooks from state and local sales taxes. The Scott administration estimates the tax break could save a fulltime student as much as $60 a year. The tax break is expected to […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 21, 2015

The abrupt ouster of the leader of Florida’s main law-enforcement agency could lead to a major shake-up in how the state Cabinet and the governor hire top officials. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Wednesday called for an overhaul of how the state Cabinet approves agency heads. Putnam also wants to change how the governor and […]

Gary Fineout

Rick Scott wants tighter controls on college costs

Crucial legal question confronts Florida’s voucher program

Crucial legal question confronts Florida's voucher program

Rick Scott acknowledges mishandling in ouster of state's top cop

Rick Scott acknowledges mishandling in ouster of state’s top cop

Widening scandal overshadows Rick Scott's 2nd term start

Widening scandal overshadows Rick Scott’s 2nd term start

Governor defends actions as calls for outside probe grow

Rick Scott wants to stop taxing college textbooks

Ouster of Gerald Bailey could spark power shift on Cabinet