Writing about education for @FLPhoenixNews headshot by @jricephotog
Tallahassee, FL
Joined August 2014
- Tweets573
- Following861
- Followers422
- Likes8.2K
DeSantis wants special session to implement ‘taxpayer bill of rights’
Will he get one?
floridaphoenix.com/2026/11/0…
Jay Waagmeester retweeted
This is the truth. I’m glad we slayed gender ideology and protected women’s sports in Florida years ago, but just banging that drum every two years is not going to cut it with so many other issues that need to be addressed.
Gov. Ron DeSantis says he knew Republicans were in trouble when he saw them spending hundreds of millions on transgender ads.
DeSantis went to war with Disney over gender ideology in 2022. Even he says Republicans were "fighting in yesterday's battle."
DESANTIS: "I knew Republicans were in trouble when I was reading an overview about what they were running ads on. And they're spending hundreds of millions of dollars across the country on on transgender ads."
"Look, I fought Disney on gender ideology… But that was not the issue motivating voters."
"It was kind of like an attempt to just scare Republicans to vote."
"Republicans… they really were fighting in yesterday's battle."…
Last month, Pew asked Republican voters which issues mattered most.
Their top 5: the economy, immigration, the future of democracy, violent crime, and the size of government.
Transgender issues ranked 15th out of 16.
Jay Waagmeester retweeted
Congratulations to Florida Atlantic alumnus Pat Murphy ’82 on leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a World Series title!
His tomorrow began at Florida Atlantic, and we are immensely proud of his accomplishments on baseball’s biggest stage. 🦉 ⚾️
Missed this last week:
UCF trustees extend President Cartwright for three years. Contract keeps him in Orlando until Dec 2029.
nicholsonstudentmedia.com/ne…
Jay Waagmeester retweeted
RNC Joe Gruters sipped a vanilla latte at a coffee shop in a state he hadn’t expected to spend time in at the start of the midterm cycle. Republicans are looking to squash Nebraska’s independent experiment in the Senate race
My latest @NE_Examiner
nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/10…
Jay Waagmeester retweeted
Administrative judge sides with Florida instructor regarding Charlie Kirk post floridaphoenix.com/2026/10/2…
In the dark? 2026 ‘Government in the Sunshine’ manual seemingly shelved.
In case you missed my latest:
floridaphoenix.com/2026/10/1…
Jay Waagmeester retweeted
In the dark? 2026 ‘Government in the Sunshine’ manual seemingly shelved floridaphoenix.com/2026/10/1…
Never underestimate the strap method.
Seen downtown Pensacola post-Isaias
This Pensacola port-a-potty is strapped in for #HurricaneIsaias expected to make landfall this evening.
There’s hardly an empty barstool, parking spot, or bored bartender in downtown Pensacola tonight, about 24 hours since Hurricane #Isaias hit
This is the 3:30 Central time view in downtown Pensacola. The first downed tree I’ve seen. #HurricaneIsaias
This Pensacola port-a-potty is strapped in for #HurricaneIsaias expected to make landfall this evening.
Jay Waagmeester retweeted
I am pleased to share that former Florida Governor, @JebBush, will be facilitating a panel discussion about the future of higher education at the @SUS_Florida Florida Board of Governors 2026 Trustee Summit for all university trustees November 12 at @FIU! Florida will continue leading the way!
Most Florida universities fell in national rankings, per U.S. News & World Report floridaphoenix.com/2026/09/2…
Florida professors fear being targeted or cancelled, faculty review shows floridaphoenix.com/2026/09/1…
