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.

The race is set with four candidates for Orange County mayor, including, from left, businessman Chris Messina, former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Clerk of Court Tiffany Moore-Russell and County Commissioner Mayra Uribe.

Maxwell: How do they differ? Orange County mayoral candidates on the issues

July 10, 2026 at 2:26 p.m.

Readers gave columnist Scott Maxwell questions to pose to the candidates for Orange County mayor - about transportation, hotel taxes, the environment, homelessness, SunRail, baseball and more. Here's what they...

The unedited responses on 16 issues from Orange County’s mayoral candidates

July 10, 2026 at 10:31 a.m.

In their own words: The candidates for Orange County mayor share their unedited responses to 16 questions about everything from transportation and the environment to homelessness and further expansions of...

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier couldn’t get in front of enough TV cameras when he debuted “Alligator Alcatraz.” But now the project has proven to be a costly boondoggle, he has less to say. CBS Miami reported that when the news team tried to ask Uthmeier questions about the sky-high costs, “he refused to speak and was hurried away, surrounded by his security detail.” (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Maxwell: Uthmeier scurries from cameras, now that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ bills are due

July 8, 2026 at 8:06 p.m.

Scott Maxwell: James Uthmeier used to be a big talker when it came to "Alligator Alcatraz." But now that the facility is shuttered and the boondoggle bills are due, CBS...

Sister Gail Grimes in front of a rendering of herself, upper right, in the lobby mural at the Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. She was one of the three original founders of the center in 1971 that helps immigrant and in-need farm workers and their families. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Maxwell: Spirited nun ‘retired’ at age 76 and then worked another 12 years

July 7, 2026 at 3:04 p.m.

Scott Maxwell: Sister Gail Grimes 'retired' at the age of 76. But she kept on serving others until she died this past weekend at the age of 88. She said...

At Florida International University, the state school is threatening to punish students and withhold their diplomas for standing in silent protest while wearing anti-ICE T-shirts during a school event — a move constitutional experts and defenders say is a blatant violation of free speech. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS)

Maxwell: Free speech? Florida students have diplomas threatened for silent ICE protest

July 2, 2026 at 1:33 p.m.

Maxwell: Free speech? Florida university threatens students' diplomas for participating in a silent protest where they stood up wearing anti-ICE T-shirts.

Last year’s list of “10 People Who Make Orlando a Better Place to Live” included people who help others with disabilities, lead local philanthropic efforts, champion voting rights, protect the environment and work on the front lines to help the less fortunate. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Maxwell: Who makes Orlando better? Plus, watch out for Hope Florida 2.0

July 1, 2026 at 2:24 p.m.

It’s time again for readers to submit their nominations for “10 People Who Make Orlando a Better Place to Live.” Plus, questions about whether the Hope Florida scandal will have...

This bench, beneath a tree in Orlando Veterans' Memorial Park near Lake Baldwin, is where retired firefighters will meet any first responders who are going through struggles, just want to talk or are interested in getting more professional help. The project is called "The Bench 988." (Scott Maxwell/Orlando Sentinel)

Maxwell: This bench beneath a shady tree in Orlando is a lifeline for struggling firefighters

June 26, 2026 at 2:19 p.m.

After seeing too many of their peers struggle and even take their own lives, two retired Orlando firefighters set up a bench near Lake Baldwin where they will meet any...

The feds say they wanted to get detainees out of 'Alligator Alcatraz' before hurricanes arrive, suggesting maybe this tent-and-cages facility wasn't a great idea in the first place. Plus, new records show 'Alcatraz' contractors may get paid extra simply to leave.

Maxwell: Even as it’s abandoned, boondoggle ‘Alcatraz’ may cost taxpayers more

June 24, 2026 at 5:34 p.m.

The feds say they wanted to get detainees out of Alligator Alcatraz before hurricanes arrive, suggesting maybe this tent-and-cages facility wasn't a great idea in the first place.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has convened another task force to look at hotel tax spending. Last time, members were told they shouldn’t look at ways to spend those billions of dollars on things this community truly needs, like transit, transportation, housing and public safety. So they spent another half-billion dollars again expanding the convention center.

Maxwell: Here we go again. Orange County looks to ensure hotel taxes can’t pay for local needs.

June 23, 2026 at 8:01 p.m.

The last time Mayor Jerry Demings convened a hotel-tax task force, members were told they shouldn't think about things this community truly needs. So they spent another half-billion dollars expanding...

Maxwell: Readers have good, tough questions for mayoral candidates

June 19, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Maxwell: Four candidates are running for Orange County mayor. But before they get anyone’s votes, readers have a lot of questions they want answered - about everything from taxes and...

All Stories