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The challenge is on for school principals to make sure their students are safe from online predators.  Attorney General Bill McCollum and Education Commissioner Eric Smith want as many schools to sign up for the attorney general’s CyberSafety presentation, a 50-minute interactive program that shows kids the potential dangers of surfing the internet.

“We want them to think about this and get engaged,” the attorney general said.  “What is a friend?  Do you really know the friend?  And we go through a series of demonstrations that interact with video and slides and conversation that show them they really don’t know all those people and who could be out there.”

Two challenge winners will be announced in May, one based on number, the other based on percentage of schools signing up.  The winning districts will receive special CyberSafety presentations hosted in person by Attorney General McCollum and Commissioner Smith next fall.
 

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Guiliani has been spending a lot of time campaigning in Florida.  Thursday afternoon, he met with Governor Charlie Crist at the Florida state capitol.  During a speech, the former New York City’s mayor highlighted his leadership during the Sept. 11th attacks on America 6 years ago.

“The great challenge of our generation is winning the Islamic war of terrorism against us,” he said.  “There are many parts to this war.  It is not just a military war.  There are many aspects that do not involve it being a military war at all.  It’s a comprehensive war.  And it’s one that needs a leader who can see it that way.”

Giuliani is banking on winning Florida to propel him to the nomination.  So far, Giuliani has captured zero delegates in the early nominating contests.

Early voting is underway, but with the majority of voters heading to the polls on January, 29th the property tax debate is still a hot topic.  The Capital Tiger Bay Club in Tallahassee hosted a forum on the proposed amendment.  It would double the homestead exemption and allows homeowners to take their Save Our Homes benefits with them when they move.  Representatives from the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Association of Realtors, and Florida Tax Watch debated the pros and cons of the amendment.

“We think it is going to definitely pick up the market some,” said Trey Price, with the Florida Association of Realtors.  “Is it going to return to the real estate bubble and boom of 2002, 2003, that’s doubtful.  But one thing it is for certain going to do, it’s going to offer opportunities for people to move into the home of their dreams, to move to a better and bigger house, or, if they even want to downsize, to pay less taxes.”

“You’re going to take a very unfair property tax system that you have now, and you’re going to make it more unfair, said Mike Sittig, with the Florida League of Cities.  “And instead of the property tax being based on the value of the house, the property taxes are going to be based on how long you lived in the house prior to the one you live in now.”

60 percent of voters have to approve Amendment 1 for it to take effect.

The state suspended Allstate Insurance’s certificate to do business in Florida. The move comes after the company was uncooperative at a hearing into the companies business practices.  Existing customers will continue to be covered, but if you were thinking about using the good hands people to buy car insurance, Mike Vasilinda tells us you’ll have to think again.

Hear it here: Allstate License Suspended

Allstate’s ability to write new business was suspended after the company failed to produce thousands of documents subpoenaed by the state. The lack of documents cut short a hearing Tuesday looking at whether the company conspired to keep rates high, by conspiring with trade groups like the Florida Insurance Council.

The maximum fine would have only been ten thousand dollars, so the state opted to get the company’s attention.

“Current policy holders will not be affected,” Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said.  “This is only for new business in Florida. We’re going to focus on their auto business in florida which is about a billion dollars in business in Florida. We’re going to hit them where it hurts. We’re going to get their attention.”

The company isn’t writing new home policies so it loses nothing there. Existing home and auto policies will remain in effect.

In this news release, Allstate says it’s surprised. The state says Allstate can start selling car insurance again when it gets the documents it wants.

Business was slow at John Cheney’s Tallahassee Allstate office. Inside, Mr Cheney told us he was uncertain what would happen next.

Bob Lotane represents an industry trade group and he wouldn’t speak for Allstate, but he says the message being sent isn’t good.

“This market as it is, has a serious lack of capacity and I think that the negative tone that’s being set here isn’t going to help attract anymore,” Bob Lotane with the FL. Assn.   of Insurance and Financial Advisors said.

Allstate has more than 11 hundred agents in Florida.

A statewide grand jury estimates that one thousand gangs are terrorizing the state of Florida.  And the problem is growing.  As Chris Casquejo tells us, the attorney general and law enforcement want changes in state laws.

Hear it here: Statewide Grand Jury’s Gang Recommendations

Florida has an estimated 65,000 gang members and the largest increase in gang activity nationwide.  A statewide grand jury believes current laws are not enough.

“We can put some of these scumbags in jail,” said Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell.

The grand jury is recommending 16 changes to Florida law, including protecting witnesses who testify against gang members.  The statewide prosecutor also wants to keep thugs from hitting the streets right after being arrested, by making it harder for them to post bond.

“Prosecutors need to have an opportunity to come to court and tell the judge about the defendant, about the harm that’s being wreaked on the community before the defendant already bonds out,” said statewide prosecutor Bill Shepherd.

The gang problem is so widespread that the attorney general says that each of Florida’s 67 counties has at least one gang.

Attorney general Bill McCollum wants to add 20 new special prosecutors who would deal only with gang cases, a battle that won’t be easy with lawmakers in budget-cutting mode.

“We need to set a priority,” McCollum said.  “That’s the Legislature’s job, of course, to set it.  But it’s my job to advocate it.  It’s my job to tell them that this needs to be done.  That it’s a really serious matter and it would help immensely.”

Florida’s gang war is not ending anytime soon.  Felony related gang convictions have nearly doubled over the last two years.

You can find Florida’s gang prevention website at www.safeflorida.net/safestreets

The state’s prison system has a new man at the top. Walt McNeil takes over as corrections secretary. For the past year, McNeil has run the Florida’s juvenile justice system. The former Tallahassee police chief replaces Jim McDonough, who retired after nearly two years on the job. McDonough came to the rescue after a corruption scandal led to the ouster of his predecessor. McNeil says he’s up to the challenge.

“I accept the challenge and the call to serve the citizens of our state in this capacity, bringing with this, all of the skills and resources that I’ve garnered over the years as police chief, most recently as secretary of juvenile justice, he said. “We are going to move forward with the governor’s mission to make sure that the citizens of Florida are safe and protected.”

Florida’s prison system is the nation’s third largest with an annual budget of more than $2 billion.

Florida’s first-ever drought and wildfire summit brought together local, state and federal officials to get a handle on the current conditions and threats facing Florida and the Southeast.  Florida is a month and half into wildfire season.  The state’s drought has lingered for about a year and half. As a result, both ground and surface water levels have reached close to record lows. Low water levels make help make conditions ripe for wildfire season, which starts in December and ends in May. Despite the drought, forecasters believe the wildfire season is not as bad as it could be.

“Everyone can make a difference, even if you’re just piling up trash in your yard and burning it,” said Ira Jolly, with the Division of Forestry.  “You can make a difference. You don’t have to burn it on a windy day. Call in and see what the conditions are before you burn. But everyone should take a part in this.”

So far, 100 wildfires have burned in Florida since January 1st, charring 14,000 acres of land.  This is slightly fewer than the average number of wildfires that have burned annually during the last 25 years.

A hearing into whether Allstate Insurance colluded with other companies to fix insurance rates ended abruptly today in Tallahassee after the company failed to provide thousands of documents sought through a subpoena. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the lack of cooperation has regulators calling for stiffer penalties for insurers who ignore regulators.

Hear it here: Allstate Hearing Ends Early

The hearing began with Allstate withdrawing a request to hike rates 41 percent.  It had already been rejected, but was being appealed.

Then, from the moment three witnesses were sworn in, the hearing went downhill.

“You believe that filing a 41 percent rate increase adequately passed on the cost savings to Floridians?” Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty asked.

“We believed that the actuarial review would be accurate,” Allstate Assistant Vice President Ron Stouffer replied.

Forty thousand documents have already been turned over. Regulators say most are meaningless and that the company failed to fully comply with any of 59 specific record requests. Instead it filed objections.

“Directors and officers of Allstate Insurance Company made the decision not to comply with the subpoena as of today, is that correct?” Steve Parton, general counsel for Insurance Regulation, asked.

“Mr. Parton, I have already told you, I have not been involved in the decisions as to how we will produce and what we’ve been producing,” George Grawe with Allstate Governmental Affairs replied.

The overall lack of responsiveness prompted Senate President Designate Jeff Atwater to promise stiffer penalties for ignoring regulators.

“This dance is over,” Atwater said. “The people of Florida need immediate relief.

Finally regulators had enough.

“I really have no reason to believe that you will abide by the subpoena today,” McCarty said.

The hearing ended as it began: with no answers.

Allstate’s spokesman contended the company was happy to be there. The company will get another chance to tell its story under oath to Senators next month.

The state’s offensive against the insurance industry continues tomorrow, with Allstate facing state regulators.  A year has passed since homeowners with high insurance bills were promised that help was on the way.  As Chris Casquejo explains, regulators hope the hearings will yield some answers.

Hear it here: Allstate To Answer Possible Collusion Charges

Early voting is underway, and while insurance isn’t on the ballot, voter Allen Joseph says high rates will definitely impact his choices come November.

“I think the way this legislation was put together, it’s just not quite the way it should be, Joseph said.  “It’s very complicated creating bills.  And this one doesn’t necessarily solve the problems.”

The state took on $28 billion worth of risk.  In turn, lawmakers believed insurers would drop rates an average of 24 percent.  In two out of three cases, just the opposite happened. Allstate asked for an average increase of 42 percent.  Now, state regulators will grill Allstate about possible collusion.

“We’re not accusing anyone of anything,” said Ed Domansky, with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.  “And if in fact, when all of this is said and done, there is no evidence of anything like that, that’s fine.”

Later this week, the Senate is expected to release a list of insurance companies it wants to hear from.  Executives from those companies will be asked to testify under oath.

If they refuse, the companies face subpoenas.  The insurance industry says it has nothing to hide.

“We’ve already sworn under oath, said Sam Miller, with the Florida Insurance Council.  “We’ll swear under oath again.  There is no magic way to roll rates back in the cycle that we’re in.”

Florida property insurers are projecting a $3.4 billion profit for 2007.

The Senate Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability will meet February 4th and 5th.

The latest numbers from the state show that a controversial ballot initiative is about 110,000 signatures short of appearing on the November ballot.  Florida Hometown Democracy wants voters to have the power approve or deny city and county land-use changes.  The Division of Election had to stop using a computer system because it had been miscounting signatures for months.  Hometown Democracy supporters wonder why the state waited until last week to reveal the problem.

“They could have had the fix hopefully done and arrived at ages ago,” said Hometown Democracy’s John Hedrick.  “Rather than here we are, at the supposed 11th hour.  We’re now a little more than two weeks away from the signature deadline, and yet, this all gets sprung on us.”

Supporters have to collect more than 611,000 signatures certified by the state to get ballot initiatives before voters in November.

More than 400,000 voters have requested absentee ballots for the January 29th primary as early voting got underway throughout the state.  More than 206,000 Republicans, 163,000 Democrats and 52,000 unaffiliated voters who didn’t identify a party affiliation have asked for absentee ballots.  As many as 2 million voters are expected to head to the polls before the primary on January 29th.

“The combination of full slates on both parties and this tax question, I believe will push turnout into close to record numbers, if not an actual record,” said Leon County Election Supervisor Ion Sancho.

Early voting ends Sunday, January 27th for the majority of counties in Florida.  Some counties will end it on Saturday, January 26th.

The latest poll results are in.  Quinnipiac University hails Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John McCain as the presidential frontrunners among likely Florida voters.  Clinton leads Senator Barack Obama 52 to 31 percent, while McCain holds slight lead over Republican contenders Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.  Quinnipiac’s assistant director of polling, Peter Brown, attributes the flip-flop in Republican frontrunners to the results in Iowa and New Hampshire.

“When you finish fourth or fifth or sixth in Iowa or New Hampshire, it’s hard to convince your voters in Florida that you’re still a serious candidate for President,” Brown said.  “So that would explain the drop in Giuliani.  In terms of McCain, winning solves a myriad of ills.  When we last polled in December, people had given him up for dead.  He resurrected himself in New Hampshire and now he’s benefited from it.”

The poll also found that 75 percent of Clinton voters are less likely to vote for another candidate, while 61 percent of Obama voters remain faithful.  Only 42 percent of McCain voters are less likely to switch their votes, a smaller percentage than all three of his competitors.

The Hometown Democracy Amendment could be in trouble. Newly released figures by the Secretary of State show only 501,530 signatures have been verified so far. Organizers have until February 1st to show 611,009 valid signatures. Organizers blame the state for not letting them know about problems in posting valid signature totals.

Florida For Marriage Protection is showing 589,020 valid signatures. These are the last totals we will be given until after the February 1st deadline.

New Voter Registration statistics are out. The score:

Democrats 4,137,067
Republicans 3,825,727

Democrats also appear to be making headway with the fast growing Hispanic population in Florida. Democrats now have 383,887 Hispanic voters, just a few less than the GOP, which is showing 408,490 registered Hispanic voters.

Dem’s also out pace the GOP in Black voters: 1,002,894 to 64,460.

View County by County Registration by Party and Race Here

Evolution could be coming to your children’s science classrooms.  A panel of education experts just wrapped up three days of meetings at the state Department of Education to hammer out new standards.  As Chris Casquejo tells us, the state board of education will have the final say next month.

Here it here: Evolution Coming Soon To Florida Classrooms?

The way science is taught in Florida public school classrooms could soon change.
Right now, the state science curriculum uses the words “biological changes over time” not “evolution.” Biology teacher Nicholas Daigle believes the current standards shortchange students.

“It’s very hard to teach good biological science without mentioning evolution,” Daigle said.  “It’s one of the basic underpinnings of modern biological science.”

A panel of more than 50 educators met over the past three days to hammer out the finishing touches on the new science standards.

Since work began on the new standards last May, the state Department of Education has heard from more than 10,000 people.

Many believe that evolution should be taught as just one theory.  They want the state board to include alternatives, such as intelligent design.  The Department of Education says the board will take it all into consideration.

“There are multiple views to include evolution, the theory of evolution, to not include it, to include it and other theories,” said Mary Jane Tappen, director of the DOE office of math and science.  “So they’ll get all those facts.”

Governor Charlie Crist is taking a wait and see attitude.

“I think the way it’s been handled historically in Florida is probably appropriate,” Gov. Crist said.  “It’s been introduced and discussed in terms of being a theory.  I don’t know if there’s a need for a change in that.  But I’ll leave the decision to the board.”

The State Board of Education will vote on the new standards on February 19th.

Public comment on the Florida Department of Education’s website ended on December 14th.