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

Gary FineoutJuly 6, 2017

The administration of Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday that it would hand over some voter information being sought by President Donald Trump‘s commission investigating allegations of voter fraud in the 2016 election. But Secretary of State Ken Detzner, who was appointed by the Republican governor, wrote a letter to the vice chair of the […]

Gary FineoutJuly 5, 2017

Ed. Note: The settlement can be viewed here. The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the administration of Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday ended a legal tussle over the tribe’s estimated $2 billion a year gambling operation in the state. The two sides agreed to drop an ongoing lawsuit over whether the tribe can keep blackjack […]

Gary FineoutJuly 1, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott, a multi-millionaire who turns down the $130,000 annual salary that goes with his job, saw his personal wealth rise in the past year. Scott on Friday filed financial information with the state that listed his net worth at nearly $149 million, or a jump of nearly 25 percent from 2015. The Republican […]

Gary FineoutJune 22, 2017

In a move that could shake-up next year’s race for Florida governor, the FBI has launched an investigation into redevelopment deals involving prominent business owners and developers in the state capital. Federal grand jury subpoenas this month seek five years of records from the city of Tallahassee and a local redevelopment agency that involve high […]

Gary FineoutJune 21, 2017

Homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down by the state of Florida are taking Gov. Rick Scott to court. A group of homeowners and their attorneys asked the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday to undo Scott’s veto of more than $37 million. The Republican-controlled Legislature agreed to pay homeowners in both Broward and Lee […]

Gary FineoutJune 20, 2017

Florida’s state-created property insurer, contending that it is dealing with a flood of suspicious water-related claims and lawsuits, is asking state regulators to raise rates for thousands of homeowners next year, including those in the most heavily-populated areas. The board that oversees Citizens Property Insurance voted unanimously Tuesday to raise homeowner rates an average 5.3 […]

Gary FineoutJune 7, 2017

An effort by Florida’s Republican leaders to put aside recent acrimony and reach a new budget deal was falling apart on the eve of a three-day special session. If legislators can’t reach an accord, Florida’s public schools could be in danger of losing billions for the upcoming school year. Legislators are scheduled to return to […]

Gary FineoutJune 6, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday defended his latest round of budget vetoes, which set a modern-day record for a governor but came from a long list of spending projects, including money intended for public universities and compensation for homeowners whose trees were torn down by the state. Scott late last week vetoed nearly $11.9 […]

Gary FineoutMay 31, 2017

Voters in Florida are going to get a chance to pick a real “He-Man.” State election officials on Tuesday agreed to let Christian “He-Man” Schlaerth qualify for a special election. Schlaerth is joining a crowded field of candidates seeking to replace a state senator who resigned earlier this year after using a racial slur and […]

Gary FineoutMay 23, 2017

Debby Dawson, who lives in southwest Florida, has a simple message to Gov. Rick Scott: The state’s existing scholarship program for disabled children is “life changing” and has helped her 7-year-old autistic son “develop by leaps and bounds.” Dawson is part of a chorus of parents from around the state who have mounted a campaign […]

Gary Fineout
A nice warm evening in Tallahassee on a very busy street while taking this shot.

Florida will hand over some voting information to commission

New deal: Florida and Seminoles settle blackjack dispute

Gov. Rick Scott worth nearly $150 million

Federal authorities launch probe into city of Tallahassee

Florida residents who lost citrus trees challenge Gov. Scott

Citing water losses, Florida insurer approves rate hikes

With school funding in jeopardy, Florida GOP at odds again

Rick Scott defends record-setting budget vetoes

There’s a real “He-Man” on Florida ballot

Fate of program for disabled children rests with Rick Scott