Will Weatherford, Don Gaetz Push for Ethics Reform, Residency Requirements

House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz said Wednesday they want to make a greater push for ethics laws on lobbyists and lawmakers.

Some of the rules proposed by Weatherford and Gaetz would make sure certain legislators are living in their districts, an issue that has gathered considerable criticism when it was discovered that some lawmakers were living outside of their districts.

Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, championed the effort to crack down on residency issues, filing a bill that would impose a stronger definition of "residency" for elected officials. Latvala estimated 10 percent of his co-workers in the Florida Legislature don't actually live in the districts they represent.

"It's now our joint view a clear, enforceable rule is called for," Gaetz said.