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This is Mental Health Awareness week in Florida. More than one million people, including more than 300 thousand children have been diagnosed with mental health issues. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, culture, income and education. Florida currently spends a quarter billion dollars a year to house 17,000 mentally ill patients in jails and forensic units. Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon says if he had just half that much money to spend on prevention, he wouldn’t need the other 125 million.

“We are spending on our project beds about 140 thousand dollars a year on one bed we spend about a quarter of a billion dollars on 17 hundred beds. Imagine what a quarter of a million dollars would do for front end services. I mean we really have to take a look at it Judge Leffman has articulated what we are currently doing is really the true definition of insanity,” said Sheldon.

Most forensic units are a revolving door. Patients are stabilized, released, then stop taking their medications, and get into trouble with police because they are not on medication.

Lawmakers are pressuring the state to reduce its airplane fleet to save money. Getting rid of the state’s newest jet could save taxpayers as much as a million dollars a year. As Whitney Ray tells us, all money saving options are on the table, but when it comes to catching a flight out of Tallahassee options are limited.

Hear it Here: Parking State Jet Would Save Taxpayers More Than A Million Dollars

Governor Charlie Crist and other high ranking state officials have access to a fleet of three state planes. Some groups are asking the state to sell the newest jet to save taxpayer money. Crist said getting rid of the jet is still an option, but the state couldn’t sell it. “It’s not off the table. It’s a decision for the legislature, but it’s hard for us to sell though because we don’t own it,” said Crist. The planes are leased. It cost 8,000 dollars a round trip to fly across the state. Florida could save a few thousand dollars by using an air charter service instead. Of course the cheapest option for the Governor would be to fly coach, but leaving from Tallahassee Regional Airport could take some extra stops to reach some parts of Florida. Some nonstop flight options from Tallahassee have been cancelled. The Florida Democratic Party says regardless of the hassle a layover could cause, flying coach would be better for taxpayers than keeping all three planes. “We’re cutting 500 million dollar from health care this year. We’re cutting 140 dollars per student from public schools and yet Charlie Crist still loves to fly around in luxury jets. It’s a complete waste of taxpayer dollars and he should get rid of them,” said Florida Democrats Spokesman Eric Jotkoff. Getting rid of the jet could save taxpayers a million dollars a year. Getting rid of the jet and one of the two planes could save 1.8 million. Parking the planes and flying commercially would also cut down on carbon emissions.

Florida Probation officers who monitor sex offenders have a new laptop system to help them keep track of offenders. The state Department of Corrections rolled out its Mobile Data Access System. The wireless database and tracking program, gives probation officers up-to-the-minute information on sex offenders, including the last time they were drug tested, their last meeting with an officer and even their location. Probation Officer Jennefer Thurber was one of the first officers to use the program.

“If sex offenders aren’t where they’re supposed to be, we get an alarm and we have to investigate that. Having a laptop at our use, we can physically pull up and see where there are at that time,” said Thurber.

Budget cuts force the state to layoff 264 probation officers this year. The Department of Corrections says this program will help the remaining officers take on extra cases.

Several nonprofit groups filed a lawsuit today saying a Florida law prohibits their right to free speech. The state’s electioneering communications law requires groups to register with the state before they voice support for a candidate or constitutional amendment up for a vote. Senior Attorney for the Institute for Justice Bert Gall said the law keeps small community groups from participating in elections.

“They have to follow the same rules and regulations that apply to professional and political committees that can afford a team of lawyers and accountants. Make no mistake about this Florida’s law shuts ordinary people out of the political process and it makes politics an insider’s game,” said Gall.

People who break the electioneering law could face a thousand dollar fine.

Thousands of poll workers are being trained across the state this month. Their decisions and performance on election day could determine the outcome of a close election, depending on who votes and who gets turned away. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, with just 27 days remaining, three is a lot to learn.

Welcome to Elections 101. Elections Trainer Kimberly Miller is walking her students though election day. “And we’re going to walk through right now how to close down the polls on election night, ” says Miller.

Across the state, poll workers are being trained on the basics. These soon to be poll workers are being trained on new touch screens that are for use by physically challenged voters. “Here’s the number. You want to record that on your log sheet,” Miller tells her students.

The pay isn’t great. But few poll workers like JoAnn Pullen do it for the money.
“It’s a good way to be a helpful persona and make sure the elections go well. I’ve been doing it since I was 21.” Pullen would’t tell us how long that has been.

Training for each county is different. Secretary of State Kurt Browning says some are already finished. “I want our poll worker to go to the polls in Florida  with a very positive attitude, a helpful attitude.”

In August, poll workers in Palm Beach misplaced 3500 ballots, raising questions about how prepared the state would be in November. Governor Charlie Crist says we will be ready.
“And I think its because of those people who work so hard to make sure the election has integrity, it is honorable, that it is done right and every vote counts,” says the Governor.

Poll Worker Dave Fritz says a complicated election code makes the job all the more difficult. “This is your drivers license, this is you. Typically is it pretty comprehensive for the job you gotta do.”

“And when a problem arises, send them to the clerk?”

“Its those three words. Send them to the clerk.”

In many ways, the nation’s view of Florida is in the hands of these poll workers.

With the stroke of his pen, Governor Charlie Crist has created a Silver Alert system in Florida. Similar to Amber Alerts, the Silver Alert is designed to create a wide spread lookout for seniors who wander from their surrounds. It was created after Mary Lallucci’s mother checked her self out of a Pinellas County nursing home and accidentally drove into the intercoastal waterway.

“And I hope our tragedy saves lives, and I know it wills saves lives. That’s the only thing that brings comfort to my family….is that our tragedy will save someone else’s life. And we thank all of you,” says Lallucci.

The state plan is patterned after a Pinellas County plan that has been in effect 3 months.

Florida’s No Match, No Vote law continues to be controversial. As Whitney Ray tells us, the Obama Campaign will have extra eyes on Florida polling sites looking for voters not being allowed to cast a traditional ballot because of problems with their identification.

Hear it Here: Lawyer Up: Obama Camp Watching Florida Polls

This year Qua-Aisa Blackmon will cast a ballot for president for the first time in her life.

“It seems there’s a lot riding on it with the war and the quote unquote recession,” said Qua-Aisa.

Because of a new restriction, if there is a typo in Qua-Aisa voter registration form, she’ll have to cast a provisional ballot, and come back with in two days to verify her ID.

“That doesn’t really seem fair,” said Qua-Aisa.

The Obama Campaign will have people at the polls to help people who cast provisional ballots because of the No Match No Vote law.

“We’re going to make sure that everybody who wants an opportunity to vote in this historic election has an opportunity,” said Kevin Cate, the Regional Communications Director for the North Florida Obama Campaign.

The Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida sent a letter to the Florida Democrats asking them not “assist” voters at the polls, warning them about state laws concerning poll watchers.”

State law will allow a campaign to have one poll watcher at every precinct, but they have to follow strict guidelines.

“The poll watcher is not allowed to interfere or solicit votes before the vote. Now they can talk to them afterwards but it has to be after the vote has been cast,” said Jennifer Davis, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State.

In a close election the decision could rest on provisional ballots. The state’s Division of Elections is working overtime to catch typos in new registration forms. If information on a registration application doesn’t match the state database, a letter is sent to the applicant asking them to fix the problem before Election Day.

Florida employers could soon get a discount on workers compensation insurance. The National Council on Compensation Insurance is asking the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for a 14 percent rate reduction. The NCCI has lowered rates every year since 2003. OIR spokesman Ed Domansky doesn’t expect this to be the last reduction request from the council.

“There is a possibility the rate could go even lower and by that I’m referring to the current trend factor. Specifically the frequency and severity of claims has continued to decrease to the point that it’s not unrealistic to think that this rate could go even lower,” said Domansky.

If approved the rate reduction would save Florida business owners a total of 465 million dollars a year.

The instability of the stock market could make it harder for Florida insurance companies to pay claims in the event of a major hurricane. The state’s catastrophe fund relies partly on the sale of bonds to back insurance companies in the wake of a disaster. With investors questioning the stability of the market, bonds could be hard to sell. Chief Financial Officer Spokeswoman Tara Klimek said even if the state sales the bonds, Floridians would still have to cough up some cash to help rebuild.

“If we have to dip into the hurricane catastrophe fund and bond in order to pay claims, that results in assessments on insurance consumers throughout the state, consumers and businesses. And if we had to bond for the full 28 billion dollars it would be 1.8 billion dollars a year, every year for 30 years. That’s hidden taxes and that’s just not right,” said Klimek.

Next Tuesday the State’s Catastrophe Fund Advisory Board will meet to reevaluate the funds capacity.

Florida, along with 32 other states, has entered into a record setting 62 million dollar settlement with an Indiana drug company. Florida’s Attorney General filed a complaint against Eli Lilly and Company over its marketing of the drug Zyprexa. The company was advertising the antipsychotic medications for uses that weren’t mentioned on its label, such as depression. Attorney General Chief Counsel Bob Hannah said the company also failed to warn people of the drugs possible side effects.

“Not only did they aggressively target off label use which targeted often times children and the elderly, but they did not warn of the potential side effects which could include diabetes, total weight gain and hyperglycemia. Those things were not advised to the consumers of physicians,” said Hannah.

Florida will get 3.6 million dollars from the 62 million dollars settlement.

One in four teens admits to texting while driving. They may be part of the reason why teens were responsible for 36,000 wrecks on Florida roads last year. About 500 of those were fatal. As Whitney Ray tells us, the state launched a new website today aimed at making teens safer drivers.

Hear it Here: Texting Teens Worry Highway Patrolmen

Scars on his face and neck remind Brandon Donaldson he’s lucky to be alive. Brandon was riding with a friend who was speeding. He wasn’t buckled up.

“I was thinking, like, this can’t be happening. I though it was a dream, but that was the last think I remember I don’t remember hitting the mailbox,” Brandon said.

Brandon is just one of more than 36,000 Florida teens who were in wrecks last year. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles launched a new website aimed at making teens better drivers.

“Two thirds of teens killed in traffic accidents aren’t buckled up. When properly used occupant restraint systems reduce the chance of a fatal injury by 45 percent,” said Colonel John Czernis.

Patrolmen say distractions like loud music, DVD players and food are the main cause of teen driving accidents. One in four teens admits to texting while driving.

People who send text messages while driving do two things that really worry cops. First they take their eyes off the road. Second they take their hands off the steering wheel to send messages.

Seventeen year-old Omar Hudson said he’s read text messages while driving.

“I try to look at the text look at the road look back and forth, but I try not to do it too often,” said Omar.

But once has been too often, too many times. The website (www.takethewheel.net) has video messages from teens who survived wrecks and a section for people to post their own stories.

The clock is ticking for people who haven’t registered and want to cast a vote in this year’s presidential election. The new voter registration deadline for the General Election is midnight tonight. More than 100 state employees are working overtime to process the massive piles of new voter registration applications already turned in. Secretary of State Kurt Browning said people who want to vote on Election Day need to get to their county election office before it closes, or get their application in the mail.

“They need to make sure that if they drop their application in a mailbox that its postmarked by today. That’s a little iffy because sometimes mail gets postmarked and sometimes it doesn’t. If it doesn’t get postmarked it’s going to be considered having being mailed later after the book closing period,” said Browning.

If you postmark a voter registration form by midnight tonight you will be a registered voter, assuming you fill it out correctly.

Governor Charlie Crist spent Monday on the campaign trail with GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin in Clearwater and Fort Myers. Palin has taken some heat for several interview blunders with national media outlets. Her performance during the VP debate was spoofed on Saturday Night Live and some conservatives are asking her to jump off the McCain ticket. Republicans hope being seen with Crist will help boost her popularity. Republican Party of Florida Spokeswoman Katie Gordon said Crist’s endorsement goes a long way in Florida.

“I think having Governor Crist along certainly helps Governor Palin, just as we saw the governor’s endorsement of Senator McCain right before the primary helped him win the primary here and Florida then build momentum moving forward to Super Tuesday where he ultimately secured the nomination. I think Floridians realize that like Governor Crist, Senator McCain and Governor Palin have the common-sense, do the right thing style of governing that goes beyond partisan politics to produce results for the people,” Gordon said.

Florida Democrats said Crist should be focused on Florida not delivering the White House to the GOP.

“Governor Crist puts partisan politics and jet-setting around Florida above trying to solve our economic crisis. He’s taken a record number of days off. He never seems to be here in Tallahassee working, doing his job. Florida’s in a recession for the first time in 16 years. We lead the nation in job losses. We’re number two in the nation in foreclosure and Charlie Crist’s only solution is to hold campaign style events around the state,” said Florida Democrats Spokesman Eric Jotkoff.

Palin will be in Pensacola and Jacksonville Tuesday. Democratic VP Nominee Joe Biden will be in Tampa on Wednesday.

Foreclosure after foreclosure is due in part to people being given loans they should not have been given, or loans in which the terms were misleading. In many cases, loans originated by Countrywide escalated sharply. In July, The attorney general called it deceptive. Bank of America, which took over the mortgage lender, stepped in to settle. Sandi Copes spokesperson for the Attorney General says the news is good for 57 thousand Countrywide customers in Florida.

“Bank of America has really worked very hard to reach the best possible outcome for Florida consumers and all of the consumers who were effected by Countrywide’s practices”, says Copes.

Florida is second in the number of problem Countrywide mortgages. The settlement nationwide could reach 8 billion.  Customers should be hearing from the company around December first.

The deal, which wasn’t worked out until midnight Sunday night, stops every Countrywide foreclosure now in progress in its tracks.

Mike Fields of Bank of America says under the settlement, 52 thousand customers still in their homes will find it easier to keep them. “Some will have interest rate reductions, some will in fact have principle reductions, but  the goal is to keep homeowners in their homes. It’s the right thing to do”.

Borrowers who have already lost their homes may be eligible to receive cash payments.

Countrywide customers can call the company to see what if any relief may be due them. The number to call is 1-800-669-6607

Florida’s struggling economy could be to blame for a 25 percent increase in calls to the state’s abuse hotline. About 1,200 people call the hotline every day, up from 900 in December of 2007. As Whitney Ray tells us, three out of every four calls requires special attention from a case worker.

Hear it Here: Abuse Hotline Calls On The Rise

For every councilor working at Florida’s abuse hotline, a ringing phone represents a life in turmoil or a child in danger. Councilors are working to keep up with a skyrocketing number of calls.

Secretary of the Department of Children and Families George Sheldon said financial stress is contributing to the increased call load.

“This is a tough time for folks, they’re uneasy, they’re losing their jobs. They’re trying to figure out how to take care of their family. Too many times they turn to alcohol or substance abuse,” said Sheldon.

Councilors say the hardest calls they get are from children, especially when the kid’s life is in danger. Those calls get immediate attention.

Juanita Belcher said some calls are hard to get over.

“A couple of weeks ago I had an injured baby, abused by a step father. It had cigarette burns. That stayed with me,” said Belcher.

Jamie Valdes has been counseling victims for eight years. He keeps pictures of his children on his desk for inspiration.

“The calls that we take sometimes are really bad, some of them are awful. Having these pictures are my sanity. It’s knowing that there’s love out there,” said Valdes.

And for some the help they need is a phone call away. Calls to the abuse hotline have risen at about the same rate as request for food stamps. Calls to the abuse hotline are up 25 percent. Application requests to the food stamp call center are up 23 percent.