Matt Gaetz for Florida House of Representatives

Florida Trend: ‘Promising new Florida House members’

peter — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:22:53 +0000

“Almost from day one, Gaetz has engaged in lively floor debates, prolifically filing amendments to bills. In 2011, he helped draft significant portions of HB 993, a bill that streamlined Florida’s environmental permitting process, and he considers it some of his most significant work to date. On and off the floor, Gaetz isn’t afraid of making waves. In 2010, he and another lawmaker sued former Gov. Charlie Crist on behalf of a Crist campaign contributor who was seeking public records related to Crist’s abrupt party switch. In 2011, he publicly chastised Okaloosa County officials over a disagreement about legislation that would have made changes to the county’s pretrial release program. He’s inspired the wrath of liberals for his stances on everything from abortion to teachers unions. Gaetz says his hard-charging, gung-ho style suits his district. “I come from the most Republican-performing district in the state — out of all 120, mine performs the most Republican — so in many ways my role here is to be a conservative champion and to provide a very zealous defense of the conservative cause. To do that, you have to keep your eyes open and your head on swivel.”

NWFDN: Local legislators reflect on session’s successes, heartbreaks

peter — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:54:48 +0000

Soon after he was sworn in, Rick Scott established the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform. He charged the office with signing off on rules made by government agents.

The court, according to Matt Gaetz, said Scott couldn’t dictate which state agency rules would be implemented without the Legislature giving him that power.

NWFDN: Scrap metal proves lucrative for thieves

peter — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:54:30 +0000

Legislation introduced this year by state Rep. Matt Gaetz would increase penalties for scrap recyclers who knowingly take stolen metals and crack down on scrap metal thieves.

Herald: Fla. could curb lawsuits against doctors

peter — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:53:52 +0000

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach and sponsor of the House bill, said his legislation will make Florida more attractive for doctors. One of the aims of his legislation is to cut down on the number of unneeded tests given by doctors to ward off potential lawsuits, he said.

“This will be a great place to practice medicine,” Gaetz said.

SSN: Bills align judicial panel terms with Governor, raise judges’ retirement age

peter — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:03:49 +0000

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, and Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, have introduced bills authorizing the governor, upon taking office, to replace the five members of the JNC appointed by his predecessor instead of having to wait for their staggered terms to expire.

Gaetz wants governor to choose student rep for higher education panel

peter — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:02:14 +0000

Gaetz said he’s called for the vote to change the constitution because students at Florida State University asked him to do so. He said the elective process as it exists now amounts to a “pay for play” system.

NwFDN: Taking a chance on casinos

peter — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:17:58 +0000

Rep. Matt Gaetz asserted that “Florida would never be discussing gambling if we weren’t facing a budget crunch.”