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

Gary FineoutMay 11, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is taking charge of a Super PAC whose goal is to rebrand the Republican Party and help President Donald Trump. Scott on Wednesday became chairman of NewRepublican.org, which was founded by Republican strategist Alex Castellanos. Scott’s former chief of staff and 2014 campaign manager Melissa Stone will serve as executive director. Castellanos […]

Gary FineoutMay 10, 2017

With a friend and a political ally in the White House, this was supposed to be a moment of triumph for Florida Gov. Rick Scott. For years, Scott complained and criticized President Barack Obama and contended he wasn’t helping Florida. Now with Donald Trump in office, Scott has worked out a deal with federal officials […]

Gary FineoutMay 9, 2017

Nearly a decade after the Great Recession, Florida may finally restore one of its main programs that aids students headed to college. The state Legislature late Monday approved an overhaul of the state’s higher education system that is intended to lift schools in the Sunshine State into the ranks of elite counterparts. A key part […]

Gary FineoutMay 3, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is going on a statewide tour over the next three days to blast the Republican-controlled Legislature for ignoring his top priorities during its annual session. Starting Wednesday Scott will visit 10 cities where he will call out legislators. Scott is upset that legislators are planning to cut funding to the state’s tourism […]

Gary FineoutMay 2, 2017

After keeping the money locked up for nearly a year, Florida legislators have finally agreed on a plan to hand out millions of dollars given the state for damages related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida Senate on Monday voted unanimously for a bill that would guarantee […]

Gary FineoutApril 24, 2017

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With time running out in this year’s regular session, Florida’s legislative leaders are at a stalemate over a new state budget and are starting to lash out at one another over the breakdown. The first but crucial round of negotiations between the House and Senate fell apart on Sunday. The session is scheduled to end […]

Gary FineoutApril 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is scheduled to leave Sunday for Argentina for a trade mission organized by the state’s embattled economic development agency. Scott delayed the trip by a day to monitor wildfire conditions across the state, but he is also making the visit during a time when parts of his agenda remain unresolved in the […]

Gary FineoutApril 18, 2017

State House Speaker Richard Corcoran says a push to give Florida some of the toughest ethics laws in the nation is dead for this year’s session, and he’s blaming Senate Republicans for showing “zero interest.” The Land O’Lakes Republican pushed to enact several far-reaching proposals, including one that would ban legislators and elected officials from […]

Gary FineoutApril 11, 2017

As a top aide to Florida’s attorney general, Carlos G. Muniz helped defend the office’s decision to sit out legal action against Trump University. Now the president is naming him to be the top lawyer in the U.S. Education Department. President Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate Muniz to serve as general counsel […]

Gary FineoutApril 7, 2017

Florida may end a long-running battle and pay millions to homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down in a failed attempt to eradicate citrus canker. The Florida House has $66 million in its proposed budget to pay lawsuits filed on behalf of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties. There are also lawsuits […]

Gary Fineout

Rick Scott to lead Super PAC that aims to help GOP

Rick Scott has a friend in White House and foes back home

Florida may restore college aid lost during Great Recession

Rick Scott to rail against Legislature in state tour

After delay Florida will finally hand out oil spill money

Legislature at stalemate over new state budget

Gov. Scott heads to Argentina for trade mission

House Speaker: Push for tougher ethics laws dead

Donald Trump taps lawyer involved with Trump U case for federal job

Florida may pay millions to homeowners for lost citrus trees