Gaetz & Weatherford Claim Lobbying Money Has No Influence On Them

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford laughably tell Adam Smith that campaign contributions have no influence on them.

According to Follow the Money, Gaetz has received $18,736 from lawyers and lobbyists. Weatherford received a whooping $56,625 from lawyers and lobbyists. Do you really believe lobbyists are going to give money to Gaetz and Weatherford and then not expect any favors in return? That doesn't pass the laugh test.

Movement on In-State Tuition Rates

Florida state Sen. Jack Latvala is proposing in-state tuition rates for the children of illegal immigrants.

"These children are the children of taxpayers in Florida, who pay our sales tax, who pay our gas tax," Latvala said at a news conference Wednesday at St. Petersburg College's Clearwater campus. "I just think this is a disparity, a discriminatory issue that needs to go away."

State Rep. Ed Hooper appeared with Latvala at a press conference at St. Petersburg College. Hooper voiced approval for Latvala Senate bill. Rep. Jeanette Nuñez is working on a companion bill in the House. House Speaker Will Weatherford has indicated that Nuñez's bill will get a floor vote. The problem appears to be Senate President Don Gaetz doesn't support Latvala's proposed bill.

"I don't know how I explain to them that … we will subsidize families who didn't play by the rules," Gaetz said.

Without Gaetz children of illegal immigrants will not get in-state student rates. These children are being punished for their parents' citizenship status. This policy hampers the economic opportunities for young people that have been in America most or all their lives. These young people identify themselves as Americans. Yet they are denied the education to achieve the American dream.

Sen Don Gaetz Backs Medical Marijuana Bill

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz has announced that he will support medical marijuana. This means medical marijuana will get a vote in the Senate.

“As a father myself, I am unwilling to require these parents to be criminals in order to get treatment for their children,” he said. “As the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz, I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children’s lives.”

Gaetz's son, Rep. Matt Gaetz, is the sponsor of House Bill 843. The text of the bill.

An act relating to cannabis; amending s. 893.02, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "cannabis" for purposes of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act and applicable to certain criminal offenses proscribing the sale, manufacture, delivery, possession, or purchase of cannabis, to which penalties apply; providing an effective date.

Translation: marijuana prescribed for medical purposes will no longer be a criminal offense under the bill.

There are problems facing HB 843. House Speaker has given no indication that he would support the bill. Gov. Rick Scott would most likely veto the bill. Scott and Weatherford were both against the ballot initiative making medical marijuana legal. Sen. Don Gaetz was against the ballot initiative. His support of his son's bill is a big step in making medical marijuana legal. The ballot initiative is still the most likely way to make medical marijuana legal. The ballot language.

Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Barbara Peterson Appointed by Don Gaetz

There are times that I like Florida Senate President Don Gaetz. I hope appointing Barbara Peterson leads to the Florida legislature doing a better job of complying with the Sunshine laws.

“Barbara Peterson is Florida's respected guardian of open records, open meetings and open government," Gaetz said. “Her leadership of the First Amendment Foundation gives credibility and reliability to this important work. Her expertise in advising public officials, the media, courts and citizens about access to records will lead to more transparency and user-friendliness through a consolidation of many complex and duplicative websites.”

The mission of the First Amendment Foundation.

The First Amendment Foundation believes that government openness and transparency is critical to citizen trust and involvement in our democratic society – without Government in the Sunshine, civic engagement cannot bloom. Through ongoing monitoring of the state’s public records and open meetings laws, and the education of government officials and the citizens they serve about those laws, the Foundation promotes the public’s constitutional right to oversee and to participate in the governance process.

Services: Sunshine Monitoring: The Foundation monitors the Legislature, state agencies, the courts, and, when possible, local governments, for actions and issues related to open government, alerting its members through periodic reports of all open government activity.

FOI Hotline: The First Amendment Foundation runs the FOI Hotline, where callers to our toll-free number (800-337-3518) can get information and assistance with their questions about the application of the Sunshine Law and the Public Records Law. Currently, the FOI Hotline is averaging about 200 calls a month, with almost half coming from the general public. The Foundation also responds to emailed questions about open government. Contact us by email.

Let's hope that the Florida legislature listens to Peterson's recommendation. The Rick Scott administration has used private emails to avoid the Sunshine law. Unfortunately, the legislature hasn't challenged Scott for the lack of transparency. That needs to change.

Gaetz Wants Hearings Into Heritage Property Insurance Deal

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz is calling for a special session to look into why the state run Citizens Property Insurance decided to hand over policies to Heritage Property Insurance. Heritage has nearly no track record to take the biggest risk property insurance policies. Heritage has been in existence less than a year. $110,000 to Scott's re-election campaign and now stands to make $52 million from the policies it claimed from Citizens.

Statement from Gaetz.

“The Florida Senate believes the facts and circumstances surrounding the Heritage transaction need thorough investigation so the people of Florida are assured that it and transactions like it are in the best interest of Floridians,” Gaetz, R-Niceville, said in a statement. “As such, as soon as Committee meetings begin this fall, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will conduct hearings to investigate and propose ]solutions to the concerns raised by this transaction and any others that might result from Citizens’ attempts to reduce its liabilities.”

Unsurprisingly, Gov. Rick Scott could not give a straight answer on whether or not he supported the Heritage deal. I noted before straight talk is not Scott's forte.

Reporter: A couple weeks ago, Citizens did a $52 million deal with a nine-month-old insurance company. We know how you feel about Citizens but you haven’t really said specifically how you feel about this unique and new type of deal. Do you support that type of economic activity at Citizens, are you against that specific deal?

Scott: First off, I want to try to do anything I can to try to reduce taxes in our state. As you know, my first year in office we reduced property taxes by over $200 million, so I think that’s a real positive. What Citizens is doing is, Citizens needs to make sure they downsize. They should be the insurance company of last resort. I’ll do anything I can to make sure they keep doing that. As you know I (appoint) two of eight board members and I don’t appoint the chairman. I want them to make sure they constantly look at how do we get them out of the business of being the insurance company of first resort. I want them to be the insurance company of last resort. That’s what they’re set up to do and that’s what they need to do.

Reporter: But, specifically. A couple weeks ago you went line-by-line and looked at budget issues and vetoed things were $100,000. This is a $52 million deal, and you’re the CEO of the state. Should you not look at this deal, specifically, and say, ‘I’m for this deal,’ or ‘I’m against this deal,’ or ‘I have issues with this deal,’ as others have?

Scott: Citizens has a board. I appoint two board members. I don’t appoint the chairman. My expectation is that they go through, and any program like that, they review it. And do the right thing.

The reporter made it easy for Scott by asking if Scott could state if "‘I’m for this deal,’ or ‘I’m against this deal,’ or ‘I have issues with this deal.’" This isn't rocket science. It is difficult for a man that takes pains to avoid the Florida's Sunshine Law and once gave a deposition where Scott the businessman couldn't give an answer to what a market is.

Cusack: Is Orlando a significant market for your company?

Scott (after attorney objects): I'm not sure what a 'market' is.

Scott is incapable of being truthful.

Don Gaetz on the Sequester

Republicans in Congress are more concerned about pleasing conservative media than governing. Republicans on the local and state level have to explain to their constituents why their jobs will suddenly disappear. Case in point is Florida Senate President Don Gaetz.

"What's not debatable is that sequestration has created a sense of uncertaintly and instability in sectors of the Florida economy," Gaetz, a Niceville Republican, said during a speech at the Capitol Tiger Bay Club meeting today.

Gaetz noted there are five military bases in the Panhandle region he represents. Directly and indirectly, the defense and aerospace industries employs thousands of people who are already being fuloughed and could face layoffs, he said.

Republicans have talked about massive budget cutting as creating jobs. Balancing budgets and job creation are not one and the same. Britain used drastic austerity measures after the 2008 crash. The results has been a disaster.

What has British achieved through its austerity? Since Cameron took office in spring2010,unemployment hasn’t budged much past 7.9%. Consumer confidence declined further. And gross domestic product, the sum of all goods and services, is below the level when Cameron assumed power.

Florida Senate Launches Obamacare Website

I disagree with Florida Senate President Don Gaetz on many things. Gaetz does deserve credit for acting like a serious person. Gaetz has pushed for ethics reform. Gaetz now has had the Florida Senate launch a website on the Affordable Care Act. From the press release.

“In the coming months, members of the public, health care providers, representatives from Florida’s insurance industry, and countless other stakeholders will provide valuable feedback as members of the PPACA select committee discuss, evaluate and debate Florida’s policy options under one of the most complex and far-reaching federal laws in the history of our nation,” said President Don Gaetz in a news release. “The new portion of the Senate website was created to serve as a centralized location for interested parties to watch meetings, read bills and share their viewpoints with the committee.”

I would prefer Gaetz start-up a state exchange. However, a transparent process with the Senate seeking council is not a bad place to start. Gaetz is on-record as not being a fan of ACA. I'm glad he put his personal feelings aside.

The Senate website on the possible implementation of ACA is at www.flsenate.gov/topics/ppaca.

New Tone In Tallahassee

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford are wisely steered away from inflammatory rhetoric against their Democratic colleagues. After the defeats suffered by Republicans around the country it is smart politics for Gaetz and Weatherford not to sound like Allen West or Joe Walsh. Both men are stressing bipartisanship. However Weatherford himself pointed out that he will still push for conservative legislation.

There is a glimmer of hope from Gaetz and Weatherford.

Along with Gaetz, Weatherford wants to eliminate fundraising committees used by lawmakers. Weatherford said they aren’t transparent.

It’s unclear how exactly Weatherford could enhance transparency, but his shift has nevertheless impressed League of Women Voters of Florida president Deirdre Macnab.

The fundraising committees have been used to help get certain members enough influence to gain leadership positions in the Florida legislature. Gaetz and Weatherford will be term-limited out and don't have to worry about gaining leadership posts. They are free to eliminate the fundraising committees. Lobbyists are granted access and no transparency. Not that it matters, both Florida political parties host galas for lobbyist to come and hand checks to them.

There is no guarantee that Gaetz and Weatherford will follow through. That will be up to activists. This Franklin D. Roosevelt quote to Sidney Hillman sums up what activists must do.

ROOSEVELT: "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it."

Why SB 2036 Isn't Fiscally Conservative

Senate Bill 2036 would rewrite state law so no data would be collected to see if private prisons save the state of Florida money.

An act relating to the outsourcing or privatization of agency functions; amending s. F.S. 216.023, F.S.; providing that certain information relating to the outsourcing or privatization of an agency function that is expressly required by law is not required to be included in the agency's legislative budget request until after the contract for such functions is executed; amending s. 287.057, F.S.; providing that procurements for outsourcing or privatizing agency functions that are expressly required by law are exempt from the requirement that they are evaluated for cost-effectiveness, and efficiency; amending s. 944.105, F.S.; providing that certain requirements that apply to the Department of Corrections' contract do not apply to contracts for outsourcing or privatizating the operation or maintenance of correctional facilities which are expressly required by law; providing an effective date.

If the bill becomes law, the state would not be allowed to evalulate the performance of private prison contractors. Contractors could not be legally mandated to provide reports detailing prision health or safety issues.

Another issue that proves that that Republicans are not fiscally conservative. The state would have no idea if they are saving money under private prisons. Which is exactly why Senate President Mike Haridopolos is trying to fast track this bill. Haridopolos and other Republicans know for-profit prisons will cost the state more. The rush is because private prison companies have given $400,000 to Florida Republicans during the last election cycle.

Last session, Dr. Michael Hallett sent a letter to Sen. Mike Fasano warning him about giving private prisons too much power.

"It renders the state subject to captivity once the contract is awarded, by giving one corporation so much power and control over such a significant segment of the state budget," he said. "You can't turn this around on a moments notice."

Fasano is the chairman of the Criminal and Civil Appropiations subcommittee. All legislation on the state suppose to go through Fasano's subcommittee. Haridopolos decided to have SB 2036 go through the rules committee. The bill is so bad that no senator will take credit for being its author.

Haridopolos and other Republicans create red tape that makes it hard to collect unemployment or children to be enrolled in Kidcare. They do this under the claim that they are fiscal conservatives. Yet, these same Republicans are writing legislation intended to forbid them from finding out if there are cost overruns with private prisons. When a politician says he or she is a fiscal conservative, what that poll really means is he or she corporatist who doesn't give a shit about the taxpayers' money.

Update: Via Twitter: Sen Paula Dockery informed me that the sponsers of SB 2036 are John Thrasher, Don Gaetz, and J.D. Alexander.

The Gainesville Sun has come out strongly against SB 2036.

Senate Bill 2036 is an invitation to corruption. If lawmakers are arrogant enough to pass it, Rick Scott should veto it It stinks.

Scott is leading to push to privatize prisons. Scott has no intention of vetoing SB 2036.

Meet Don Gaetz

Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, will be the next Florida Senate President. How does one get such a lofty position? Answer: by raising money for other Republicans. Gaetz runs the Florida Conservative Majority PAC. The Republican Party of Florida received $41,000 from FCM. The Don Gaetz Campaign Account raised $30,000 for the RPOF.

The Florida Leadership Alliance raised $12,500 for Republican candidates. Below is a list of recipients.

ALTMAN, THAD
ATWATER, JEFF
BENACQUISTO, LIZBETH
BOGDANOFF, ELLYN
BRANDES, JEFF
BRODEUR, JASON HOUSE
CANNON, DEAN HOUSE
DIAZ DE LA PORTILLA, MIGUEL
FLORES, ANITERE
FORD, C V (CLAY)
GAETZ, MATT HOUSE
GARCIA, RENE SENATE
HARIDOPOLOS, MIKE
HAYS, ALAN SENATE
INGRAM, CLAY
LATVALA, JACK SENATE
METZ, LARRY
MORAITIS, GEORGE
NEGRON, JOE
NORMAN, JIM
NUNEZ, JEANETTE
OELRICH, STEVE
ROONEY, PAT HOUSE
SIMMONS, DAVID
STORMS, RONDA R

Gaetz ran as a self-financed candidate. He became a multi-millionaire as a hospice provider. Gaetz does not back Obama's health care reform.

Under the federal health care reform – commonly called “ObamaCare” – individuals could be penalized financially for not purchasing the kind of health care insurance dictated by the federal government. SJR 72 would amend the state constitution to protect any Florida citizen from being punished by the federal government if that individual refuses to obtain government-approved insurance. SJR 72 does not take Florida out of federal health care reform, but gives individuals the right to make their own health care choices.

Like SJR 2, this provision can only be added to the constitution if 60 percent of voters agree.

This is bogus. Citizens can choose the private health care plan that is right. People that don't fall below the required poverty line will be taxed if they don't get health coverage. I am not a fan of Obama's health reform but the distinction is important.

Gaetz backed a tax increase when he was chairman for the School Board of Okaloosa County Schools. I wonder how that will sit with the tea party.