Sen. Rick Scott has filed federal legislation that would create a block grant program to be run through the Department of Justice to support hiring law enforcement officers to provide full-time security at every K-12 school in the country.
rick scott
A Trump Tax Break To Help The Poor Went To a Rich GOP Donor’s Superyacht Marina in West Palm Beach
Wealthy donors Wayne Huizenga Jr. and Jeff Vinik lobbied then-Gov. Rick Scott for the lucrative tax break for the Rybovich superyacht marina in West Palm Beach — and won it. Poorer communities lost out.
Opposing Scott Court Cases, DeSantis
Signals Friendlier Approach to Medical Pot
DeSantis, a Republican who will take office on Jan. 8, is unwilling to continue some of the court battles now being waged by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott’s administration.
Rick Scott Wins ‘Nasty’ U.S. Senate Race, Ending Bill Nelson’s 46 Years in Government
Scott’s win even more firmly cemented control of Florida and the U.S. Senate for Republicans. Nelson for the past eight years has been the only Democrat elected statewide.
Flurry of Polls Show Gillum and Nelson Decisively Edging Past DeSantis and Scott
Andrew Gillum and Bill Nelson have built solid leads among independents, women and minorities, with Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott leading only among white men.
Women and Independents Keep Bill Nelson Ahead of Rick Scott By 6 Points in Latest Poll
Sen. Bill Nelson, drawing much higher favorability ratings and strong support from independents–key to all statewide races in Florida–is maintaining a comfortable 52-46 percent advantage over Gov. Rick Scott in the race for U.S. Senate.
Gillum-DeSantis Debate Is a 60-Minute Bout Over Ring-Kissing, Crime, Trump, Race and Algae Blooms
Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis shredded each other Sunday night during a nationally televised debate, as the gubernatorial candidates appeared in their first face-to-face showdown.
Saying Scott ‘Exceeded His Authority,’ Supreme Court Rules Next Governor Will Appoint 3 Justices, Not Scott
The winner of the Nov. 6 election between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum “has the sole authority” to fill the court vacancies, the court ruled.
Nelson Calls Scott a Liar, Scott Calls Nelson a Do-Nothing, Both Lob Kavanaugh at Each Other
Scott’s and Nelson’s tangle over Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, was one of many points of contentions in the senate-race debate Tuesday.
In Blow to Scott’s Play for Puerto Rican Vote, Nelson Wins Island Governor’s Endorsement
Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s endorsement of Nelson unleashed pushback from Scott, who’s made nine trips to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on the U.S. territory a year ago.
Rick Scott Presses His Case For Making Midnight Appointments to Florida Supreme Court
In a case that could alter the future of Florida’s highest court, Scott’s lawyers said the governor retains the power to select replacements for justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince, who are all leaving in January.
Flagler Unemployment Rises to 4.3% But Labor Force Keeps Expanding
Some 200 people were added to Flagler’s unemployment rolls but in a sign of continuing health the workforce is expanding and is 1,000 workers larger than a year ago.
Scott Signs Death Warrant, His 27th, For 1992 Murderer Jose Antonio Jimenez
Jose Antonio Jimenez was convicted in the October 1992 killing of 63-year-old Phyllis Minas, whose neighbors heard her shout, “Oh God! Oh my God!” during the attack.
Days After Criticism From Sen. Nelson, Governor Declares Emergency Over Algae Outbreak
On Friday and over the weekend Democrats and Bill Nelson accused Scott of “going through the motions” in dealing with the algae blooms.
Critics Assail Scott Policy Shift That Would Reduce Eligibility Window For Medicaid
The majority of the 39,000 people impacted by the change would be seniors and people with disabilities. But Gov. Scott wants the shift to save nearly $100 million.
Beyond Donation of 25 FHP Used Cars to Puerto Rico, an Island’s Policing in Crisis
Puerto Rico right now is all about a cattle pen of system failures — but one of the most important is its broken and bleeding law enforcement structure.
Trump Expected to Loom Over Nelson-Scott Senate Battle as Governor Announces Run
The Senate contest between Bill nelson and Rick Scott is termed a “proxy battle” about Donald Trump and a referendum by Floridians on Trump’s presidency.
Gov. Scott Fuels Speculation About Senate Run By Tapping Brad Piepenbrink Again
The chief of staff announcement was made within minutes of social-media postings from the governor saying he will make a “big announcement” in two weeks.
Federal Judge Declares Florida’s Arbitrary and Governor-Controlled Method of Restoring Felons’ Voting Rights Unconstitutional
In a stinging blow to Gov. Rick Scott, a federal judge ruled that the governor’s near-exclusive authority to restore, and more often deny, voting rights to ex-felon is unconstitutional.
Gov. Scott Calls Trump’s Reference to “Shithole” Countries “Absolutely Wrong”
Trump reportedly questioned why the United States should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa, and singled out Haiti in particular.
Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State: Full Text
Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State address, his last, as prepared for delivery today at the Florida Capitol, before a joint session of the House and Senate.
Scott’s Arab-Baiting Over Jerusalem
Continuing to prepare for his Senate run, Gov. Rick Scott’s Jerusalem ploy is demeaning Palestinians in the occupied lands to appeal to Jews in South Florida. He learned the trick at Trump’s knee.
Pariente Stays: Supreme Court Rejects Scott’s Bid to Remove Justice in Succession Case
The Florida Supreme Court rejected an attempt by Gov. Rick Scott to remove Justice Barbara Pariente from a case that could determine the shape of the state’s highest court for decades.
Embroiled In Supremacist Controversy, Trump Reaches For Scott As Lunch Buddy
Scott had lunch with Trump at a New Jersey golf resort, as the president continued to draw criticism for comments about a white nationalist rally.
Flagler Secures Millions for Beach, Roads, Judges, But That’s Before Scott Lifts Veto Pen
Millions of dollars through numerous Flagler-bound appropriations could potentially be vetoed as Gov. Scott today received the state’s budget, and will soon decide what stays and what goes.
Nominating Commission Sends 3 Names to Scott for Next Supreme Court Appointment
Fifth District Court of Appeal Chief Judge C. Alan Lawson, appellate Judge Wendy Berger and Orlando lawyer Dan Gerber made the final cut of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
Gov. Scott’s Pick from Judges Applying to Replace Perry Will Shift Supreme Court Right
The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission plans to provide Scott a short list of six names, from 11 applicants, by Nov. 29, giving the governor plenty of time to make a decision before Justice James E.C. Perry’s resignation goes into effect Dec. 30.
Gov. Scott on Frank Meeker’s Commission Seat Replacement: “We’re Working On It”
Ten men, all Republicans, applied in the 107 days that have elapsed since Commissioner Frank meeker’s death. Rep. Paul Renner says he expects an appointment in late November or early December.
Worse Than Trump: Gov. Scott Refuses to Disavow Claim that “Islam Hates Us”
In an appearance on Joe Scarborough’s MSNBC show Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott refused to denounce Donald Trump’s claim the day before that “Islam hates us.” The smear on Florida is the latest of many lows in a lurid election season.
Florida Lawmakers Unveil $82.3 Billion Budget That Abandons Scott’s Top Priorities
Because Scott’s tax-cut proposal was sharply reduced and a $250 million package of business incentives was dropped entirely, the governor is expected to lean heavily on his line-item veto pen.
Rick Scott, Who Made Millions as Hospital CEO, Now Faults Hospital Costs
The proposals are the latest in a series of moves by Scott, who made millions as CEO of HCA/Columbia, to revamp the hospital industry. The Legislature will have to enact his proposals.
FSU Shooter Myron May, an Attorney, Said to Have Been in a “State of Crisis”
Myron May was an FSU student senator in 2002 and had been practicing law since 2009 before he shot and injured students at FSU’s Strozier Library.
“I’m On Your Side,” Charlie Crist Says on Final Push With Bill Clinton in Tow
Crist offered his final pitch as an advocate for middle-class Floridians to blacks, Hispanics, seniors and union workers before heading to Orlando for a final pre-election event headlined by former President Bill Clinton.
In Final Swing Along I-4 Corridor, Rick Scott Promises to “Kick Charlie’s Rear”
Two other Republican governors, Rick Perry of Texas and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, both prospective presidential contenders in 2016, joined Scott in what has become one of the most expensive, nastiest and closest governor’s races in the country.
Crist and Scott Aren’t Both Awful: Scott Wins That Contest By a Mile
Tired of what he calls false moral equivalencies, Adam Weinstein argues that pundits and cynics are wrong to flaunt the conventional wisdom about this governor’s race, and that Scott has been flat-out god-awful for Florida.
Charlie Crist Takes 3-Point Lead in Latest Quinnipiac Poll, With Boost from Independents
The numbers suggest that independents, who decide most close elections in Florida, are migrating to Crist and may have been alienated by Scott’s negative ad blitz.
Crist Reaches Out to Democratic Base in Home Stretch, With a Stop in Daytona Beach
From now until Tuesday, Crist will shake hands and pose for pictures with black supporters in places such as Sarasota and Daytona Beach and focus on the Democratic stronghold of South Florida, all designed to infuse base voters with enough enthusiasm to get them to the polls.
Crist and Scott Deadlocked at 42% in Latest Quinnipiac Poll as Early Voting Begins
Among those who have already voted, the poll found Crist leading by 5 points–42 to 38, with Wyllie getting just 3 percent. Scott’s trump card is his ready millions of dollars, Crist’s is the younger voters hoping to pass the medical marijuana legalization amendment.
Charlie Crist:
People’s Governor or Master Chameleon?
Charlie Crist profile: In an interview, the former governor said he is confident he can defeat Scott “by going to people in person and having the chance to reacquaint them with my heart and what I care about, which is them.”
From Favorite to Fanghazi: The Two Worst Days of Gov. Rick Scott’s Re-Election Campaign
If Scott does end up being the third Republican governor in 20 years to not serve a second term, two days this week can be pinpointed as the worst of his campaign, argues Peter Schorsch.
Scott and Crist Make Blowing Air a Metaphor of Their Campaign in 2nd Tempestuous Debate
An electric fan at Crist’s feet hijacked the first portion of the second debate as Scott first refused to come out, as both camps later attempted to spin the embarrassment to their advantage. The debate itself was mildly substantial.
Scott and Crist Trade Familiar Barbs and Mockeries in First of 3 Debates
Scott repeatedly took shots at Crist’s time as governor, saying the former Republican was all talk and no action. Crist, who is running this year as a Democrat, portrayed Scott as an uncaring plutocrat unresponsive to middle-class needs.
More ISIS Follies, Rick Scott’s Black Judge Blind Spot, Ebola’s Surge, Gifford vs. Gun Nuts: The Live Wire
Rick Scott doesn’t like appointing black judges, Bill Maher gives ISIS the business, China’s booming torture trade, your password doesn’t work anymore, “Madame Secretary” stinks, and a few moments with Erik Satie and Mike Royko.
Republican Optimism Grows as Scott Closes Gap with Crist
More Republicans than Democrats cast ballots in last month’s primary elections, and Scott — facing a couple of token opponents — only fell about 6,000 votes short of matching the combined total votes for Crist and another Democratic candidate, former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich.
Formalities Over, It’s Brass Knuckles Until November Between Scott and Crist
The race between Scott and his predecessor Crist is already one of the nation’s most-watched, and expensive, campaign throw-downs after Crist spent much of 2014 reinventing himself as a Democrat.
Rick Scott Wants to Believe He’s Born-Again Green. The Record Is Dirtier.
Rick Scott wants Floridians to believe that he had a Road to Damascus moment, suddenly realizing that allegiance to Mammon makes for a dirty Florida and an unhappy electorate, but his 11th hour eco-enlightenment is as hard to swallow as a cup of algae from the Indian River Lagoon, argues Diane Roberts.
The 10 Counties Likeliest to Swing the Scott-Crist Race for Governor
There is no question this is a toss-up race. Those confidently predicting a winner, one way or the other, are likely smoking the substance that is the subject of a ballot amendment this fall. Here are the 10 swing counties.
Crist Picks Annette Taddeo as Running Mate, Citing Her Working Mom Credentials
Picking Annette Taddeo, a Democratic party leader in Miami-Dade, could help Crist in voter-rich South Florida while appealing to women and Hispanics. Taddeo, 47, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008.
John Morgan Has $6 Million in Pledges for Medical Pot Amendment, Not Including His Own
Renewed support from Morgan — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist’s boss and close friend — comes as opponents of the measure, aided by Sheldon Adelson, a Las Vegas casino magnate and supporter of Republican Gov. Rick Scott, double down on efforts to kill it.
Crist and Scott Campaign Cash Keeps Rolling In, But Spending Differs Widely
Scott’s political committee spent about $3.94 million on advertising during the first three weeks of June, while Crist continued to stay off the airwaves, funneling money to the Florida Democratic Party instead.