State Rep. Will Weatherford Sets 2012 Priorities

In a meeting with State Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, earlier this summer, the representative reviewed the previous session, outlined his priorities for next session and discussed his upcoming position as Speaker of the Florida House. 

In the last legislative session, Weatherford pointed out the two leading legislative concerns: the budget and educational accountability.  

In regard to ongoing fiscal concerns for the state, Weatherford said it is “better to deal with budget issues now instead of five years later.” Furthermore, he pointed out that dealing with budget issues now is part of planning for long-term growth. 

Notable past legislative policies were across-the-board budget cuts and the educational accountability bill, or HB 1255. The bill, which passed this year, changed a number of rules for public education, including making it mandatory for school districts to make virtual education available to students.

Weatherford also sponsored four abortion bills in the 2011 legislative session. 

With the 2011 session a thing of the past, Weatherford has begun setting his legislative priorities for 2012. In the next session, he plans to prioritize kindergarten through 12th-grade educational funding, as well as to focus on infrastructure development.

“Pasco is poised for progress,” Weatherford said. He explained the growth of Pasco County and the need for planning to meet the county’s population increase. He said would like to support bills that make Pasco County “a place to live, work and play.”

Planning for Pasco's Growth

According to recent Census data, trends show Pasco being the highest population growth county in the Tampa Bay area, with an increase of more than 34 percent since 2000. 

In planning for Pasco’s growth and the progress of Florida overall, Weatherford supports the idea of creating a “growth state.” The creation of a growth state is supported by two legislative focuses, he said: a predictable business climate and a quality education system reflective of 21st century learning. 

Jobs are also a big concern in Central Pasco, and the issue hasn't been overlooked by Weatherford. The state, he said, has experienced some growth in employment. There has been recent, positive job growth, he said, and "over 60,000 new jobs created in the past year. These are signs of business life returning to Florida.”

Weatherford has been designated to serve as House Speaker for 2012-14.

Being Speaker will be “an opportunity to lead," he said, adding that it will be a "humbling experience to represent Pasco County as Speaker.”

Will Weatherford is the current Florida House Representative for District 61. He was first elected in 2006. He attended  Land O’ Lakes High School and Jacksonville University where he studied business administration. 

To learn more about Weatherford see his Florida House of Representatives page or visit his campaign page, willweatherford.com. 

Find more census data here.