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WILL WEATHERFORD

William W. Weatherford

    Will Weatherford is the 84th speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, a Republican first elected in 2006 representing parts of Pasco and Hillsborough counties. He is the youngest speaker in recent Florida history. Weatherford wasn’t on the ballot in 2006 but was elected because the GOP nominated him to replace Ken Littlefield, who was appointed to the Public Service Commission.

    Weatherford was born Nov. 14, 1979, in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Jacksonville University and worked as a real estate broker and aide to House Speaker Allan Bense before getting elected. He is married to Bense's daughter, Courtney, and they live in Wesley Chapel with three daughters.

    • IN THE NEWS

    1. PolitiFact: Weatherford overreaches with claim that Medicaid expansion drives deficit

      05/19/13 LegislatureBy Katie Sanders, Times Staff Writer

      The Florida House did the nation a favor by refusing to expand subsidized health insurance to 1 million low-income Floridians, argues Speaker Will Weatherford.

    2. House Republicans say 'no' to pension for future employees, 'yes' for themselves

      05/17/13 Blog Tia Mitchell

      House Republicans supported Speaker Will Weatherford's attempt to overhaul the pension system, closing it to new members in 2014. Many of these lawmakers are enrolled in the pension, choosing not to select an alternative option that is more similar to a 401(k).

    3. Pension vote puts some House Republicans in awkward position

      05/17/13 LegislatureBy Tia Mitchell, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

      TALLAHASSEE — Florida House Republicans tried to close the state's pension system to new employees this year, saying it's a ticking time bomb that could cripple the state's budget for years to come.

    4. State analysts reverse course, say supermajority wasn't needed on tax cut vote

      05/16/13 LegislatureBy Toluse Olorunnipa, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

      TALLAHASSEE — After Gov. Rick Scott's highly prioritized manufacturing tax cut passed the Florida Legislature without receiving a two-thirds majority of votes, legislative staff analysts have had a change of heart and now believe such a supermajority was not necessary.

    5. Weatherford, Jeb Bush to attened 'MavPAC' conference

      05/14/13 Blog Alex Leary

       

      House Speaker Will Weatherford will attend the MavPAC annual conference in July in Miami, organizers said. 

    6. Lawmakers' pet projects leave no paper trail to Florida budget

      05/11/13 LegislatureBy Michael Van Sickler, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

      TALLAHASSEE — Turn to any page of Florida's 450-page budget and what's most striking is the missing detail.

    7. University leaders expect Gov. Rick Scott to veto tuition increase

      05/09/13 CollegeBy Tia Mitchell, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

      TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers included a 3 percent tuition increase in next year's budget, but state universities say they aren't counting on the extra money.

    8. Weatherford makes all the "right" moves in first session as House Speaker

      05/06/13 Blog Michael Van Sickler

      TALLAHASSEE — Few Florida politicians were known for being more likable and reasonable than House Speaker Will Weatherford.

    9. Weatherford's veer to right confuses Democrats, but wins support from conservatives

      05/06/13 LegislatureBy Michael Van Sickler, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

      TALLAHASSEE — Few Florida politicians were known for being more likable and reasonable than House Speaker Will Weatherford.

    10. Democrats urge Medicaid special session, Weatherford says it 'doesn't make sense'

      05/06/13 Blog Tia Mitchell

      Pressure is mounting on Gov. Rick Scott to call a special session to end the Legislature's impasse on Medicaid expansion. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and the 14 Democratic members of the Florida Senate sent separate letters today making that very request, but Scott isn't likely to oblige them if he doesn't think …