Legislation could shorten Frank Walls’ stay on death row
State Rep. Matt Gaetz is eager to give serial killer Frank Walls something to contemplate as he sits in his cell on death row at the Union Correctional Institute. Gaetz believes legislation he has introduced, if passed, could significantly lessen the time Walls will have left before his date with the executioner. “If the Timely [...]
Ethanol bill passes state House, awaits approval in Senate
A law that requires gasoline sold in Florida to contain some percentage of ethanol may be headed for repeal. Bills sponsored by state Rep. Matt Gaetz and state Sen. Greg Evers appear to have cleared all significant hurdles in the Legislature. H.B. 4001 passed the House with a 77-39 vote and S.B. 320, amended to [...]
Lawmakers look to speed death penalty
Bills now in the House and Senate would create tighter timeframes for appeals and post-conviction motions, make it harder for inmates to dismiss their lawyers, and heighten the legal standards for pleading certain arguments. Florida has 405 inmates on the death row, more than any other state except California, which has 724. It takes an [...]
Ethanol repeal passes House Energy Committee
With your support and testimony, HB4001 has officially cleared the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee and is one step closer to relieving consumers of Florida’s oppressive ethanol mandate. The next stop for HB4001 will be the House Regulatory Affairs Committee. I look forward to working with the committee members and to sharing with them the [...]
Op-ed from Matt: Fixing Okaloosa
Since age nine, Okaloosa County has been my home. My mother grew up here. Someday, my children will too. I love Okaloosa County – and that’s why our government should be worthy of our great citizens. After all, countless honest, hardworking county employees see their service dishonored each day the politicians fail to truly accept [...]
Time to repair busted death-penalty system
State Rep. Matt Gaetz recently argued Florida’s death-penalty system is broken. His solution: Limit what he called “legal gamesmanship” and waves of “endless, insincere appeals.” Doing so would slash the nearly 14 years victims’ families wait on average for the condemned to get the needle. When you’re right, you’re right. And the Fort Walton Beach [...]
Car dispute bill gets in gear
A House panel Thursday approved a bill that backers say would help head off legal fights between car dealers and customers about problems with vehicles. The Civil Justice Subcommittee voted 11-1 to approve HB 55, which would require consumers to give written notice to dealers at least 30 days before filing lawsuits. Customers would not [...]
