Gabrielle Russon

Orlando

Freelance Journalist and Writer at Freelance

Freelance writer. Ex-Orlando Sentinel theme parks reporter. Proud but pudgy 27X marathoner. Mom of 3 under 4. Sparty on!

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Articles

Can arts supporters finally have something to cheer about?

2 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

After last year’s devastating arts cuts, lawmakers agreed to spend $20.8 million on cultural and museum grants. During Monday’s budget talks, the Senate lowered its offer from $23.3 million to $20.8 million while the House’s offer was at $5.8 million as the Chambers’ top budget lawmakers hashed out the state’s spending plan. The two Chambers closed out the Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Monday, arriving at the Senate’s $20.8 million.
Budget conference: Senate seeking $5M more for law enforcement recruitment bonuses

2 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

The Senate is asking for an additional $5 million for law enforcement recruitment bonuses to bring the pot of money this fiscal year up to $15 million. Initially, the House, which has been at odds with DeSantis throughout Session, wanted to not fund those bonuses at all. However, the two sides reached a consensus to fund the bonuses with $10 million last week and finalized the line item.
DCF sends cease and desist to reporter working on Hope Florida story

2 weeks ago | miamitimesonline.com | Gabrielle Russon

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has sent a cease and desist letter to an Orlando Sentinel reporter who has been digging into the Hope Florida scandal. Jeffrey Schweers, the Sentinel’s Tallahassee bureau reporter, has broken some scoops regarding the embattled charity backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Gov. DeSantis announces body armor company is expanding into Wakulla County

2 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

A company that manufactures and designs body armor is expanding into Wakulla County and will hire 300 employees, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. DeSantis joined business leaders for a press conference in Crawfordville to tout the economic news in one of Florida’s rural communities. Point Blank Enterprises, the largest manufacturer of body armor in the United States, is planning to move into a new facility in Wakulla’s Opportunity Park.
Spring Break helps Orange County generate $33M in hotel tax revenue in April

2 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

Spring Breakers helped generate $33 million in Orange County hotel tax revenue this April, but that falls short of last month’s total and of revenue from past holidays. April 2025 tax revenue was down 9% compared to last April. “April collections were higher than last year — in part because Easter fell in April this year instead of March,” Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond said.
House and Senate struggle to reach parks funding agreement

3 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

Even though the public clearly loves parks, the House and the Senate haven’t reached an agreement on how much to invest in them during the upcoming fiscal year. Missing in the budget conference spreadsheet is a line item for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP), which provides grants for local parks across Florida. “FRDAP was in our last offer and it wasn’t matched so it has been bumped. On state parks, we offered $19M in land management ($5M in GR and $14M in trust funds).
DCF sends cease and desist to reporter working on Hope Florida story

3 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has sent a cease and desist letter to an Orlando Sentinel reporter who has been digging into the Hope Florida scandal. Jeffrey Schweers, the Sentinel’s Tallahassee bureau reporter, has broken some scoops regarding the embattled charity backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
How much should the state spend to protect Jewish students?

3 weeks ago | wp.me | Gabrielle Russon

Lawmakers are debating how to spend millions of dollars for security at Jewish schools for children and at universities as budget negotiations continue in education. The Senate wants to spend $15 million on security guards and transportation grants at Jewish day schools, while the House offers $7 million. That’s another lingering issue in the pre-K-12 education budget to be hashed out. Lawmakers are also negotiating a fixed capital outlay funding item for Jewish day schools’ security.
How much should the state spend to protect Jewish students?

3 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

Lawmakers are debating how to spend millions of dollars for security at Jewish schools for children and at universities as budget negotiations continue in education. The Senate wants to spend $15 million on security guards and transportation grants at Jewish day schools, while the House offers $7 million. That’s another lingering issue in the pre-K-12 education budget to be hashed out. Lawmakers are also negotiating a fixed capital outlay funding item for Jewish day schools’ security.
House and Senate have big voucher issues to navigate

3 weeks ago | floridapolitics.com | Gabrielle Russon

The House and Senate are still negotiating a preK-12 education budget as lawmakers propose changes to the management of taxpayer-funded private school vouchers and a host of other issues, including Jewish day school security training and teacher and professor development.