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Matt Gaetz - page 22

Will 1030 or 7066 put medicinal marijuana in the ground?

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Growers, investors, and patient advocates are reading state Rep. Matt Gaetz’s words on medicinal marijuana as if they were ancient tasseographers reading tea leaves. They are trying to discern whether medicinal marijuana will become available under SB 1030, approved in 2014, or SPB 7066, which is moving through the Florida Senate. “What are they doing in Tallahassee? Where are we going with this?” asked Kerry Herndon, a Central Florida grower interested in one of the licenses authorizing the cultivation of medicinal…

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Sober homes certification bill passes House

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In what might be the culmination of a years-long effort to pass legislation to regulate the growing cottage industry of private halfway houses for addicts known as “sober homes,” state Rep. Bill Hager has successfully shepherded his HB 21 toward passage in the House by a vote of 113-2. “Dating back to my service on the Boca Raton City Council, I have been keenly aware of the neighborhood challenges relating to so-called sober homes. I am pleased that the House of Representatives agreed…

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House passes tax-cut package, uncertain in Senate

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Although the Florida House overwhelmingly passed a $690 million tax-cut package Thursday, it still faces an uncertain future in the Senate. While the Senate looks to plug a $2.2 billion hole in the healthcare budget, the House is focused on keeping Florida’s economy growing by cutting costs for households and businesses. “One of the best ways to have a vibrant economy is to put money back in the pocket of taxpayers. That is why we cut the cellphone and TV…

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State lawmakers honored as epilepsy ‘Champions of the Heart’

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The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) recognized six Florida lawmakers this week for their efforts in helping individuals and families touched by epilepsy. The EFOF “Champions of the Heart” are state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Rene Garcia of Hialeah and Denise Grimsley from Sebring, and state Reps. Katie Edwards of Plantation, Matt Gaetz of Shalimar and Matt Hudson from Naples. They were all honored at a reception in Tallahassee Tuesday evening. A devastating neurological disease, epilepsy affects as many as 400,000 Floridians,…

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Islamic State group cited as need for records exemption

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A Florida state representative is using the threat of the Islamic State group to advance a bill that could make it harder for people to find addresses and phone numbers of military service members, their spouses and children. The House Local & Federal Affairs Committee unanimously approved the bill Wednesday. It now goes to the full House. Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz‘ bill (HB 185) would allow active and former military members to tell government agencies to keep private personal information…

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Florida film tax incentives package gets through House Committee

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A Florida House Committee today passed a bill (HB 451) that would replenish a tax incentives program to woo Hollywood film, television and digital productions to Florida, but it wasn’t easy. Orlando Republican Mike Miller is sponsoring the bill in the House, while Nancy Detert from Venice is carrying it once again in the Senate. For the past few years, similar efforts to allow Florida to become competitive with neighboring states in providing tax incentives for entertainment productions has proved to be a bridge…

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Uber bill cruises through Senate panel, will see amendment in Appropriations

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A ridesharing insurance requirements bill that goes hand in hand with a broader effort to pass legislation permitting Uber across Florida made progress today, passing quickly and unanimously through the Senate Judiciary Committee early Tuesday evening. The proposal — SB 1298 — sponsored by Altamonte Springs state Sen. David Simmons requires that app-based “transportation network companies” like Uber and Lyft carry specialized insurance policies, the same way cab companies carry commercial and liability insurnce. Simmons’ bill provides for specific guidelines — including $1 million…

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