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Scott Maxwell Profile picture
Scott Maxwell
@Scott_Maxwell
Orlando Sentinel columnist. Father. Husband. Tar Heel. Runner. Card player. Bourbon drinker. BS detector.
Mar 13 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
As most predicted, thanks to Florida Dems canceling their presidential primary (to help Biden), Democratic voters are so far taking a pass on next week's voting - when municipal races are at stake.
GOP mail advantage whopping 15-to-1 so far.
Local-level effects could be massive. Image Even in Orange -where D's way outnumber R's - Republicans are outvoting 3-to-1.
And this is where city races in Apopka, Ocoee and Winter Park and more are on the ballots.
Will probably even out some heading into election day, but this is a huge difference.
countyballotfiles.floridados.gov/VoteByMailEarl…
Image
Mar 23, 2023 • 9 tweets • 4 min read
Yesterday, Florida's top education official learned high students had invited a drag queen to speak - and swooped in to take action.

Now, look at what state officials do when alerted to serious problems - including actual criminal issues - at state-approved voucher schools.
1/8 Image You can read that full story - from two years ago - here:
"Troubled Orange school gets millions in vouchers. State investigates after a teacher’s arrest and does nothing. Again."

But it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
2/8
 orlandosentinel.com/news/education…
Jan 21, 2023 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
I've got $20 for any member of the DeSantis administration who can provide an accurate list of all the times courts and judges - including his own appointees to the state Supreme Court - have ruled he violated the U.S. or Florida Constitution.

I'll help you get started.
🧵 Image There was the time a federal judge - very conservative, appointed by Donald Trump and Rick Scott - said the state wasn't allowed to arrest people for donating to citizen amendment drives the governor disliked.
(First Amendment.)
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-…
Oct 4, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Hi Carolina.
Records show the prior owners had a homestead exemption on the house - meaning their tax bill was lowered b/c they claimed they still lived there - when you say you were leasing it.
In both 2020 and 2021.
Hard to see how both things can be true.
Can you explain? Here's a statement from the prop. appraiser's office.
The house listed as your address for voter-registration purposes in 2020 still had a homestead exemption for them in 2021.

Seems like either tax implications for them or residency issues for you.
Welcome your thoughts.
Aug 6, 2022 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
Interesting story here.
The gist here seems to be GOP/biz forces want to help Nikki Fried beat Charlie Crist in the Dem primary.

So, a thread with a few thoughts and take-aways:
First, these forces want Fried to win for one of 2 reasons ...
orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ne-dar… 1) They think that Fried would be easier for DeSantis to beat in November.
2) They think Fried would be better for their agenda than Crist.
I'd guess No. 1, mainly for the ethical baggage she carries (see below). But neither flatters her.
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-…
Apr 1, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
DeSantis has been a reliable errand boy for Disney - like most Florida politicians.
They cut him checks. He did them favors.
But now that Mickey's cutting him off, he's pitching fits ... and accidentally shining a light on all the special deals he made.
There are receipts galore. Jason has many solid examples.
But nothing clearer than the bill DeSantis signed last year cracking down on media companies – except those “that own or operate a theme park.”

Even the judge who ruled the bill unconstitutional was baffled by the favoritism
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-…
Mar 30, 2022 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
Related: Many who scream "READ THE BILL" have not read the bill.
Or maybe don't understand it.
Or just lie about it.
Pick your divisive toxin.

It goes beyond K-3.
It specifically targets sexual orientation - not activity.
Those who say otherwise lie.
And scream "ReAd tHe BilL!"
Oct 27, 2021 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
Solid, record-based story by @jeffschweers reveals blatant lies and behind-the-scenes efforts @UF made to fast-track the hiring of the vaccine-questioning guy Ron DeSantis desperately wanted to import from California as his surgeon general.
(Thread.)
tallahassee.com/story/news/loc… On Sept. 21, DeSantis introduced Ladapo, claiming no one who interviewed him at UF "knew he was going to be appointed to this."

But a Sept. 3 email from UF VP refers to Ladapo as the guy they are "recruiting to UF Health and potential FL Surgeon General position.”
Aug 4, 2021 • 9 tweets • 3 min read
Good for him. Seriously. Yes, panelists include: A DeSantis appointee, a politician (& former RPOF chair) & a former DeSantis chief of staff.
Also, no @AdventHealth nor Fla surgeon general.
But if other hospital execs merely say what they've said publicly before, this event will have different messaging.
Apr 13, 2021 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
NEW:
Investigation found Joel Greenberg paid politicos - Sabatini, Ertel, former WWE wrestler Matt Morgan - for consulting services, but auditors couldn't find they produced any work product.
Taxpayers also funded a trip to 4 Seasons to meet Matt Gaetz.
orlandosentinel.com/news/os-prem-n… .@Jason_Garcia finds ...

"credit card records show that Greenberg used an office Visa to make two $3,500 payments ... to a company called 'MZ Strategy Group'"

The founder appears to be a model-turned-employee for Jason Pirizzolo's medical marijuana organization.
Sep 10, 2020 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
The rest of the world is starting to see who we are.

This is powerful, depressing storytelling.
And maybe this Post piece will awaken people in a way previous stories haven't.

But i doubt it. (1/6)
washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/… We've written about this for years.
I've written about this for years.
The "Florida Project" was an Academy Award-nominated film about this exact thing - Orlando's destitute motel class toiling in poverty in the shadow of Cinderella's castle. (2/6)
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-flo…
May 21, 2020 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
I read this piece yesterday and didn’t comment on it immediately – because I wanted to think on it.
I did. And I decided this piece isn’t bad because it’s so hackishly partisan (which it is).
It’s bad because it’s just so damn lazy.
It’s just spoon-fed.
nationalreview.com/2020/05/corona… The author basically says right up top:
He talked with the governor and the governor’s people – and all those people agree the governor’s great.

Stop the presses.
Oct 21, 2019 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Tomorrow, Orange County commissioners will vote on doubling taxpayer subsidies for Visit Orlando - to more than $100 million a year.

That's twice what the county spends on its bus system.

It's twice what Visit FLORIDA gets (to market the whole state).
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/scott-… This tourism-promotion group is supposed to be a public/private "partnership."
It is not.
At least not mathematically.

The public gave $60 million last year.
Tax records show members only coughed up $3 million in dues.
To promote their own industry, mind you.
Dec 29, 2018 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
The @orlandosentinel editorial board recaps 8 years of @AGPamBondi ... and runs out of room to list all of her flaws, flubs and flat-out legally wrong actions.
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/editor… Like the time she postponed an execution cuz she wanted to attend a fundraising party … for herself.