![Scott Maxwell - 2014 Orlando Sentinel staff portraits for new NGUX website design.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/TOS-tos-maxwell-OS0113493687-e1684238637119.jpg?w=85)
Opinion Columnist
Scott Maxwell
Scott Maxwell is the Metro Columnist for the Orlando Sentinel. He writes about Central Florida politics and whatever else catches his fancy. Scott particularly enjoys giving readers information they won't get elsewhere and sharing the stories politicians would rather keep secret. Scott came to the Sentinel in 1998 and has penned a column since 2002. He's a married father of two and graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill who likes travel, exercise and scary movies.
All Stories
![Maxwell: Hemp execs offer $5 million in exchange for veto. A guide to political payoffs in Florida: "Donations for Dummies" Maxwell: Hemp execs offer $5 million in exchange for veto. A guide to political payoffs in Florida: "Donations for Dummies"](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UncleSamCash-rotated.jpg?w=136)
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Scott Maxwell: Donations for dummies. A guide to political payoffs in Florida
Maxwell: Hemp execs offer $5 million in exchange for veto. A guide to political payoffs in Florida: "Donations for Dummies"
![Columnist Scott Maxwell says that, instead of raiding local coffers to pay for SunRail, Central Florida leaders should use hotel taxes. In Las Vegas, the visitors bureau runs rail to help entire community. Columnist Scott Maxwell says that, instead of raiding local coffers to pay for SunRail, Central Florida leaders should use hotel taxes. In Las Vegas, the visitors bureau runs rail to help entire community.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SunRail.jpg?w=136)
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Scott Maxwell: SunRail bills come due. If hotel tax doesn’t pay, you will
Columnist Scott Maxwell says that, instead of raiding local coffers to pay for SunRail, Central Florida leaders should use hotel taxes. In Las Vegas, the visitors bureau runs rail to...
![Scott Maxwell: Rubio took insults, ate crow. Trump still bypassed him for Vance, who once said Trump might be ‘America’s Hitler’
Scott Maxwell: Rubio took insults, ate crow. Trump still bypassed him for Vance, who once said Trump might be ‘America’s Hitler’](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RubioTrump.jpg?w=132)
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Scott Maxwell: Rubio took insults, ate crow. Trump chose Vance instead
Scott Maxwell: Rubio took insults, ate crow. Trump still bypassed him for Vance, who once said Trump might be ‘America’s Hitler’
![Columnist Scott Maxwell says the decision to plow a toll road through Split Oak preserve - land specifically set aside protection - shows Florida is still a place that values buck-chasing over promise-keeping and preservation. Columnist Scott Maxwell says the decision to plow a toll road through Split Oak preserve - land specifically set aside protection - shows Florida is still a place that values buck-chasing over promise-keeping and preservation.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SplitOakSign.jpg?w=109)
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Scott Maxwell: The Split Oak betrayal. Proof Florida still values profit over preservation
Columnist Scott Maxwell says the decision to plow a toll road through Split Oak preserve - land specifically set aside protection - shows Florida is still a place that values...
![Maxwell: Florida's attempt to remove climate change references from school textbooks is like a 2-year-old's approach to public policy Maxwell: Florida's attempt to remove climate change references from school textbooks is like a 2-year-old's approach to public policy](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sunglasses-e1720442735524.jpg?w=114)
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Scott Maxwell: Florida censors ‘climate change.’ And 4 reasons tax break ‘holidays’ are gimmicks | Commentary
Maxwell: Florida's attempt to remove climate change references from school textbooks is like a 2-year-old's approach to public policy
![Maxwell: More insurance problems in Florida: While rates continue rising, a new report says insurers also deny more claims in Florida than other states. Maxwell: More insurance problems in Florida: While rates continue rising, a new report says insurers also deny more claims in Florida than other states.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/InsuranceClaims.jpg?w=132)
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Scott Maxwell: More insurance problems in Florida: While rates continue rising, companies also deny more claims in Florida, new report shows
Maxwell: More insurance problems in Florida: While rates continue rising, a new report says insurers also deny more claims in Florida than other states.
![From backyard fireworks and grilling in 100 degree heat to catching parades and cooling off, Scott Maxwell has a list of 10 things Floridians should — and shouldn't — do this July 4 From backyard fireworks and grilling in 100 degree heat to catching parades and cooling off, Scott Maxwell has a list of 10 things Floridians should — and shouldn't — do this July 4](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-RedHotBoom20997.jpg?w=124)
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Scott Maxwell: 10 things Floridians should – and shouldn’t – do July 4
From backyard fireworks and grilling in 100 degree heat to catching parades and cooling off, Scott Maxwell has a list of 10 things Floridians should — and shouldn't — do...
![Columnist Scott Maxwell says that when Ron DeSantis vetoed money for children's museums, family theaters and Florida symphonies, citing "sexual" content, it revealed an odd obsession for this governor Columnist Scott Maxwell says that when Ron DeSantis vetoed money for children's museums, family theaters and Florida symphonies, citing "sexual" content, it revealed an odd obsession for this governor](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OrlandoShakesXmas.jpg?w=123)
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Maxwell: DeSantis vetoes arts grants, seeing ‘sexual’ boogeymen everywhere he looks
Columnist Scott Maxwell says that when Ron DeSantis vetoed money for children's museums, family theaters and Florida symphonies, citing "sexual" content, it revealed an odd obsession for this governor
![Florida has a history of write-in candidates trying to play games with elections. Columnist Scott Maxwell says most of them are either schemers or incredibly lazy Florida has a history of write-in candidates trying to play games with elections. Columnist Scott Maxwell says most of them are either schemers or incredibly lazy](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tos-l-writeins.jpg?w=140)
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Scott Maxwell: Write-in candidates: Scammers, schemers, slackers
Florida has a history of write-in candidates trying to play games with elections. Columnist Scott Maxwell says most of them are either schemers or incredibly lazy
![For 10 years, we have honored people throughout Central Florida who don’t normally make headlines but make real differences in our community. Past honorees have worked in education, philanthropy, business, faith, law enforcement, arts, culture and more. For 10 years, we have honored people throughout Central Florida who don’t normally make headlines but make real differences in our community. Past honorees have worked in education, philanthropy, business, faith, law enforcement, arts, culture and more.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/10People2022.jpeg?w=140)
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Scott Maxwell: Know someone doing good things? Nominate them to be honored
For 10 years, we have honored people throughout Central Florida who don’t normally make headlines but make real differences in our community. Past honorees have worked in education, philanthropy, business,...