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

Gary FineoutMay 7, 2016

A charter school management company which has operated schools statewide was indicted this week by a Florida Panhandle grand jury, accused of fraudulently billing a charter school for supplies, equipment and services. The charges of grand theft, money laundering and aggravated white collar crime were announced Thursday by State Attorney Bill Eddins against the management […]

Gary FineoutApril 25, 2016

Thanks to an arcane state law, Florida could enter hurricane season with no one firmly in charge of the state agency responsible for regulating the state’s at-times fragile insurance industry. The reason? The two Republican elected officials responsible for picking a new commissioner are locked in a stalemate over who should be hired to replace […]

Gary FineoutApril 24, 2016

The state agency responsible for enforcing Florida’s tax laws is drawing ire from gun supporters as well as from some elected officials. The Department of Revenue announced in March that fingerprinting services, including those done digitally, are subject to the state’s six-percent sales tax. That has drawn the ire of gun advocates and gun show […]

Gary FineoutApril 12, 2016

Florida’s two main political parties are getting tens of thousands of dollars from groups who had a stake in what happened during this year’s legislative session. The Republican Party of Florida and Florida Democratic Party on Monday turned in their fundraising reports for the first three month of 2016. Republicans reported raising more than $1.55 […]

Gary FineoutApril 9, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott, responding to a viral video showing him being cursed at by an activist at a coffee shop, has brewed the frothy fracas into a full-force Floridian feud. Instead of ignoring the exchange that had been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTube, Scott’s political committee on Friday posted its own video […]

Gary FineoutMarch 17, 2016

Two top aides to Gov. Rick Scott are resigning. Scott announced Thursday that his Chief of Staff and general counsel are stepping down from their posts. Their last day is April 1. Melissa Sellers has been Scott’s chief of staff since November 2014. The chief of staff is one of the most powerful positions in […]

Gary FineoutMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Legislature is expected on Friday to approve a more than $82.3 billion budget for 2016-17 that is roughly 5 percent larger than this year’s budget. Here are a few key items you should know about: – EDUCATION: The new budget increases day-to-day public school spending by $458 million, which translates into a 1 […]

Gary FineoutMarch 8, 2016

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Seeking to address a “dark stain” on Florida’s history, the state Legislature is offering to pay to rebury students whose remains were once interred on the grounds of a now shuttered reform school. Legislators on Tuesday sent to Gov. Rick Scott a measure that attempts to come to terms with the notorious legacy of the […]

Gary FineoutMarch 7, 2016

Florida legislators racing against the clock on Sunday reached important budget deals on everything from school construction to pay raises to state workers. Lawmakers must have a new state budget finished by Tuesday in order to wrap up their session by this coming Friday. That led to a marathon session of budget talks over the […]

Gary FineoutMarch 6, 2016

Since charging into office some five years ago, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has routinely had an awkward relationship with the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and other GOP officials. Now, Scott is being handed a string of defeats that could render his final 2 ½ years in office nearly irrelevant. They could also serve as a reminder […]

Gary Fineout

Florida grand jury indicts charter school management company

Stormy times: Florida officials squabble over insurance pick

Department of Revenue drawing fire from gun supporters

Millions flow to Florida’s political parties, Rick Scott

Rick Scott staff defends attack ad against profane Starbucks critic

Top aides to Rick Scott — Melissa Sellers, Tim Cerio — stepping down

Highlights from Florida’s new $82.3 billion budget

Florida passes bill to deal with legacy of notorious Dozier school

Legislators reach deal on school building, worker benefits

Divide growing between Rick Scott, other Republicans