Scott Maxwell

Orlando Sentinel columnist. Father. Husband. Tar Heel. Runner. Card player. Bourbon drinker. BS detector.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

Like many, I'm going to miss Alex Trebek - the consummate host with an easy-going style that always kept the show lively and moving along.

I feel fortunate to have a pretty kick-ass memento.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

Ashley Moody used to publish updated guides every year (as has every AG for the last three decades) saying Floridians have a right to access public info about the government they pay to run.

[The Bradenton Times @BradentonTimes]

In the dark? 2026 ‘Government in the Sunshine’ manual seemingly shelved
https://t.co/A6vrwvIBf6

[Jason Garcia @Jason_Garcia]

Notable donors to Byron Donalds last week:

- GEO Group (for-profit prisons): $1 million

- Philip Morris International (Big Tobacco): $200K

- Pat Neal & Carlos Beruff (southwest Florida developers + SB 180 supporters): $100K each

- Norman Braman (billionaire car dealer): $50K

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

This is a purple district with slightly more R's.
If a respected Dem challenger (attorney John Lowndes, mayor of Maitland) can’t oust a Republican with more baggage than a Samsonite store — during what’s supposed to be a blue-wave year — other Dems may not have much hope.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

Three people were either convicted or pled to crimes in a scheme meant to help Jason Brodeur get into the Florida Senate.
Now voters will decide whether he deserves to stay there.
This race should be bellwether for Florida.
1/2
https://t.co/rAL321G8e3

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

The passing of "Breaking Bad" star @RjMitte was obviously a gut punch to his fans.
But it was also a devastating loss for @UCPofCFL, the Orlando nonprofit that helps kids with disabilities.
Mitte was a steadfast supporter of the local charity.
https://t.co/83VtQlkkqF

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

The Sentinel’s ed board looked at the careers of 4 judges seeking retention votes and concluded 3 of them should stay - but 1 needs to go.
All 4 were appointed by GOP governors.
But one, who started in Pam Bondi's office, has repeatedly raised red flags.
https://t.co/TfuXW1NFHH

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

@MrEdinFlorida @Jason_Garcia Yeah, jason. The bullshit you spewed here was … um … data.

HOW DARE YOU??!!

Protect fragile minds.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

Florida’s unelected A.G. has been surrounded by scandal from even before was appointed.
He has championed unconstitutional laws, refused to enforce existing ones, done favors for donors, threatened bishops, been held in contempt.
Floridians deserve better.
https://t.co/txUyNLlxwT

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

"The grand jury concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to bring criminal charges against those involved, because nobody claimed responsibility ..."

Worrell: “My office prosecutes people every single day that don’t take responsibility.”

[Jeffrey Schweers @jeffschweers]

Orange State Attorney Monique Worrell pursuing her own criminal investigation of the Hope Florida scandal, after a Tallahassee-area grand jury found that $10 million of Medicaid settlement funds were improperly diverted for political purposes. https://t.co/Djmezxq1fI

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

I'm not paying much attention to the frequently wrong pollsters. All that matters are votes cast and counted.
So here's a guide with links to some of the best voter guides and resources around.
Plus some overlooked races to watch.
https://t.co/jlWWkLGKNi

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

@thenewsjunkie Sure, feel free to drop me a line. We can discuss the majority of Florida.
I've always said places like Orlando & Orange will survive.
Rural counties, bedroom communities don't have the luxury of biz-tax bases if half (or more) of their rez base disappears
https://t.co/qEm4XZqmyr

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

One of the most striking things about Amendment 3 is that almost everybody who’s actually studied this plan thinks it’s a bad idea.
Fiscal watchdogs and Wall Street Analysts.
Sheriffs and first responders.
GOP and Dem leaders of counties both urban & rural
https://t.co/U4ODli4mHh

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

@thenewsjunkie Last I checked, 86% of sales taxes collected in Orange County go directly to the state. (Run by lawmakers who didn't want to cut that revenue stream for themselves.)

This state chose to make prop taxes the primary funding method for local govt. All other tax revs are fractional.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

@thenewsjunkie I think the issue gets a lot more crucial context if you don't just isolate that one section, cutting it off before the two that directly follow.

Which shows that this plan would have many homeowners paying **nothing** for emergency services - yet still expect service.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

Selective salaries are largely a red herring by folks who can't do math about the real impact of this amendment - or hope you won't.
But if you really think excessive salaries for unqualified bureaucrats is a problem, I have some bad news for you ...
https://t.co/gBYuwbVo9J

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

Amused by some of the "fIsCaL cONseRvATivEs" who claim to believe $250k for a county administrator to oversee 5,000 employees is outrageous - but are A-OK with DeSantis appointees getting $1 million to oversee state colleges with fewer students than some elementary schools.

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

“It’s disappointing to see Florida politicize something that shouldn’t be political or remotely controversial.
No science standards can be complete without evolution.”
- David Griffith, national research director for the Fordham Institute, which reviews states academic standards

[Steven Walker @swalker_7]

NEW: The Florida Dept. of Ed. (@EducationFL) proposed new science standards that downplay evolution and climate change

Several experts say the state is “moving backwards”

My latest for @OrlandoSentinel: https://t.co/Vi6otaOFvF

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

A dirty little secret about school “choice” in Florida is that many families of students with disabilities actually have few choices.
Faith-based schools are allowed to refuse admission to students with disabilities, even if the schools run on tax dollars.
https://t.co/cEMLcHGZ1u

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

The audits are MIA.
State law says Florida should’ve audited the billions DeSantis spent on “Alligator Alcatraz” and elsewhere - years ago.
Yet not a single audit has been released.
And CFO Blaise Ingoglia says it’s not his job to ask questions about this.
https://t.co/cmjkq0TIal

[Scott Maxwell @Scott_Maxwell]

The head of the Florida Chamber - which claims to promote a "responsible business community that acts in the long-term interest of our state" - wouldn't answer questions about his key role in the Hope Florida scandal involving $5 million in public money.

[Jim DeFede @DeFede]

My latest report on Hope Florida focuses on the Florida Chamber of Commerce president for his critical role in the “scheme” to divert millions in taxpayer dollars meant to help poor children. @CBSMiami

https://t.co/fyrWUG5mBI