Government Watchdog 2/2

Feb 21, 20213 min read

CA$H COWS: Tavistock, Disney and others save millions through tax break meant to help Florida farmer

At the Drive Shack golfing center in Lake Nona, golf balls struck from the three-story driving range roll to a stop not far from a few...

Jan 19, 20212 min read

A national 'tennis heaven' avoids $1 million a year in taxes by claiming a break meant for charities

The USTA National Campus at Lake Nona, a nearly $70 million “tennis heaven” with features like clay courts covered in crushed red brick...

Dec 20, 20202 min read

Public subsidies prop up conventions and trade shows -- and the tourism businesses that sell to them

Orange County’s mammoth convention center is, by the muted expectations of the pandemic, having a busy month: The American Kennel Club...

Dec 10, 20202 min read

A little-known tax district is steering millions to Orlando's tourism industry

Late last year, just before Orange County leaders approved a controversial plan to give up $125 million to Universal Orlando for a new...

Nov 8, 20201 min read

Cigarette giant gave $80,000 to secretive group now behind controversial constitutional amendment

Cigarette giant Reynolds American Inc. gave $80,000 in 2018 to the secretive group that now wants to make it harder to amend Florida’s...

Nov 8, 20202 min read

Osceola County spends big to stop another county from blocking a developer-backed toll road

Using taxpayer money, Osceola County has paid outside attorneys up to $635 an hour to try to stop Orange County from thwarting plans to...

Nov 7, 20201 min read

Secretive group pushing Florida constitutional amendment raised money linked to big businesses

A secretive nonprofit financing a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it far harder to amend the state constitution in the...

Nov 6, 20201 min read

Orlando airport leaders will review their lobbying rules following Sentinel report

The agency that runs Orlando International Airport will reexamine its lobbying rules, after the Orlando Sentinel reported that a...

Nov 6, 20201 min read

Prominent lobbyist didn’t disclose calls to Orlando airport board members, violating policy

In early July, a lobbyist at a firm run by a top fundraiser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called four of the governor-appointed members on...

Oct 4, 20201 min read

Florida is about to give more than $500 million to big corporations

Originally published Aug. 15, 2019 Florida is about to give more than $500 million to some of its biggest corporations. That’s enough to...

Oct 4, 20201 min read

Leaders suggested their options were limited before $125 million Universal vote. They weren't.

Originally published Dec. 19, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Stephen Hudak Moments before they voted late Tuesday night to give $125 million to...

Oct 4, 20202 min read

Orange County leaders approve $125 million road deal with Universal Orlando

Originally published Dec. 17, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Chabeli Carrazana In a late-night decision following hours of testimony, Orange...

Oct 3, 20202 min read

Gov. DeSantis’ appointees on verge of taking control at Orlando International Airport

Originally published Sept. 11, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Beth Kassab Even before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took office in January, people...

Oct 3, 20201 min read

Lobbyist involved in Orlando airport controversy represents client linked to airport lawsuit

Originally published Sept. 17, 2019 About a month after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis installed a new majority on the board that runs Orlando...

Oct 3, 20202 min read

Critics question Orlando airport attorney’s family and business ties to OIA contractor

Originally published Oct. 2, 2019 By Jason Garcia and Beth Kassab In January 2009, about a month after Marcos Marchena was named the top...

Oct 3, 20202 min read

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee tried to push mayors off Orlando airport board, records show

Originally published Sept. 29, 2019 A top appointee of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to push the mayors of Orlando and Orange County...

Oct 1, 20201 min read

Orlando airport board, facing criticism, reverses course on no-bid lawyer contracts

Originally published Sept. 18, 2019 By Beth Kassab and Jason Garcia The board that controls Orlando International Airport backed down...