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The battle over high stakes gambling is heating up in the state Capitol. Florida could reap anywhere from a hundred million to a billion dollars a year, depending on which plan wins, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, neither the House or the Senate seem to be holding the winning hand.

The state Senate envisions roulette and craps being added to the list of gaming at Seminole Indian reservations. Pari-mutuels in Miami Dade and Broward would get high stakes poker and black jack, while dog tracks and Jai Alai statewide would get video lottery games. The plan raises a billion dollars a year.

But the House, which heard about the evils of gambling from a researcher, wants to end black jack and other card games Charlie Crist negotiated with the Seminole Tribe.

The Governor wants the Senate plan.

“The package that they have been able to put together could generate about a billion dollars without any taxes,” Governor Charlie Crist said.

The leadership of the Christian right came to town to lambaste the expansion of gambling, saying it creates losers not winners.

“It’s estimated that Floridians will have to lose 7 billion dollars to produce the one billion promised for state coffers,” Dennis Baxley with the Christian Coalition said.

And in a rare news conference, the House Speaker deflected questions about how far his chamber would go toward compromise.

“The way that we have read it, obviously that the Class 3 slots are what they are entitled to,” House Speaker Larry Cretul said.

The House and the Senate are so far apart on gambling, that they may not resolve the issue in the 35 days that remain. And that means the Governor may have to call them back.

So the battle is between ideology and show me the money.

The Christian Leaders have traditionally opposed raising new taxes, but today conceded that taxes would be preferable to increased gambling.

Florida’s unemployment for February hit a 33 year high. 874,000 people are now out of work and the state’s unemployment trust fund is shrinking fast. But as Whitney Ray tells us, the state could receive 1.1 billion dollars in federal help if the legislature acts quickly.

Shirley Baker is hunting for a job to feed two-year old Robert and her three other kids.

“Looking for a job is awful because there is no one hiring,” said Shirley.

The unemployment rate continues to soar. At 9.4 percent, 874,000 Floridians are looking for work.

“The last time we had an unemployment rate as high as 9.4 percent was in April of 1976,” said Rebecca Rust, the Chief Economist for the Agency for Workforce Innovation.

The state’s unemployment trust fund shrunk to 740 million dollars a week ago. The state is paying out 60 million dollars a week in claims, raising concerns about the fund going belly up.

There are more than a billion federal stimulus dollars for the state’s unemployed, but it would take legislative approval to get the money and there are strings attached. The House is reluctant to take all of the money.

“If we begin to look at taking that portion of the stimulus package that would actually trigger a tax increase for small businesses,” said House Speaker Larry Cretul.

House leadership may not approve of taking all the money, but they will consider securing 700 million federal dollars to extend the unemployment eligibility period.

State lawmakers fear the unemployment compensation fund will run dry this summer. The state Agency for Workforce Innovation says it will likely last at least until fall. A spokesman for the agency says if the fund runs dry unemployment benefits will still be paid because it’s required by federal law.

There could soon be protection to keep renters from being blindsided by foreclosure.

Some renters are being evicted because their landlords can’t make their mortgage payments. Many learn about their landlord’s trouble after the bank forecloses. Lawmakers will review a bill requiring landlords to give their renters notice if the bank begins foreclosure proceedings. Bill sponsor Dave Aronberg says the legislation will protect renters’ credit scores.

“It also prevents renters from having a black mark on their credit report for being evicted, when they weren’t really evicted because they paid on time, but the problem was it was the landlord who was foreclosed upon, and if it was no fault of the renter, that renter will not have a black mark on their credit reporters,” said Aronberg.

Twelve other states are considering similar legislation.

A bill drafted in honor of a confidential informant killed in a drug sting is speeding through the legislative process.

Rachel Hoffman was killed last summer when Tallahassee Police sent her undercover to buy drugs and a gun. Rachel was under the supervision of a drug court and had never been convicted of a violent crime went she was recruited as an informant. Rachel’s mom Margie Weiss is asking lawmakers to adopt a statewide policy for recruiting confidential informants.

“I want to make sure that my daughter’s death is not in vain, that this never happens to another child or to a parent,” said Weiss.

Rachel was in a drug treatment program when she was recruited. The family’s attorney Lance Block wants the bill amended so police can’t recruit people for undercover work if they are in a treatment program.

“People that are in substance abuse treatment programs should not be taken out of those programs and put on the street while on drugs. Clearly that is not conducive to someone on recovery,” said Block.

The original draft of Rachel’s Bill offered more protective measures for informants. Block hopes lawmakers will reinstate some of those measures before they take a final vote.

A plan to provide funding for education through a penny sales tax increase while weakening class size requirements is shaking up state budget negotiations. The education funding amendment would need voter approval, but as Whitney Ray tells us, the Governor says he doubts voters will get a chance to decide.

The clock is ticking for schools to meet class size requirements. It will cost millions to hire enough teachers and build new classrooms to meet the requirements. Education lobbyists say it can be done.

“That has a price tag of almost 900 million dollars; that’s a third of a cent of sales tax and when you look at it in on that basis obviously you can’t do that without a major increase,” said Palm Beach County Legislative Director Vern Crawford.

Senator Stephen Wise is proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the sales tax to fund education.

“We’ve heard the message from the people of Florida and the teachers that we need additional revenue,” said Wise.

Wise wants to couple a penny sales tax hike with a reduction in the class size requirements. Republicans have been pushing weaker standards; Democrats want to increase revenue.

While supporters call the plan a compromise, others say this is simply a chance for lawmakers to pass the buck.

If passed the amendment would go to the voters this fall, but lawmakers could pass the measures before May. House Democrat Marty Kiar calls his colleagues across the aisle chicken.

“They are so afraid of their reelection campaigns and that’s why I believe they are trying to put it to the voters but they could do it themselves. I just think some of them need to grow some guts,” said Kiar.

When asked if he agreed with Kiar, Governor Crist said.

“I’m not going to bite on that,” said Crist.

A penny sales tax increase could raise 2.8 billion dollars a year for schools. If approved it would go into affect in January and generate 1.4 billion dollars for this next year’s budget.

A Grand Jury will call witnesses and subpoena documents in its investigation of former House Speaker Ray Sansom.

Sansom is being investigated after he took a six figure job with a college in his district months after he steered 25 million dollars to the school. Sansom quit the job and was ousted as speaker. The Leon County Grand Jury investigating the case reconvened today to discuss the case. State Attorney Willie Meggs expects the Jury to make a decision soon.

“I don’t think it’s going to go that long. I’m hoping we’ll accomplish a lot in our next session in April and if not I’m fairly confident that we’ll come to a conclusion in our position in May because their term ends in June,” said Meggs.

Complaints against the former speaker have also been filed with the state ethics commission.

A film company hoping to attract more moviemakers to the state plans to build a studio in South Florida.

Florida production company PAS Media is building Atlantic Film Studios. The 110-acre production house and film studio will be located in Broward County. Construction on the 500 million dollar project is scheduled to begin within the next 15 months. The production company is asking lawmakers to offer more incentives to movie makers in order to attract them to their studio. Representative Julio Robaina said the company will help stimulate the state’s economy.

“PAS Media and Atlantic Film Studios will be creating a vital resource in the state of Florida by creating thousands of jobs over the next few years and providing Florida the opportunity to create an industry that will benefit Florida for decades to come,” said Robaina.

The company’s president says Atlantic Studios will create 15,000 jobs in Broward and Miami-Dade County.

Florida’s jobless could miss out on a billion federal stimulus dollars, unless the state legislature takes action.

In order to receive the money lawmakers will have to weaken unemployment screening requirements and extend the eligibility period. Changing the requirements would cost the state an estimated 70 million dollars and when the stimulus money runs out the state could be left holding the bill. Governor Charlie Crist is encouraging lawmakers to find a cheaper way to get the money.

“They’re concerned that in the out years they would be stuck with having to continue and therefore impose an impediment on small businesses. I’m sympathetic to that. They’re lawmakers though. Maybe they cold come up with a law that would say we’ll take the stimulus for the unemployment percentage for X amount of years and not have to continue and keep the rates down,” said Crist.

If lawmakers make the changes unemployment benefits would be extended an additional 20 weeks. House Democrats sent a letter to the Speaker of the House urging him to make the changes.

State Farm Insurance still plans to stop selling homeowners policies in Florida, but the company is objecting to conditions placed on the company by the state. Late yesterday, the state denied State Farm’s attempt to change the conditions, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the denial leaves the company’s plans somewhat in limbo.

As State Farm prepares to stop selling homeowners in Florida, it doesn’t want to allow its agent’s to sell for other companies, so the only place agents can send homeowners is to the state run Citizens pool. The company’s position directly contradicts conditions put on the company by regulators. They say the company must not only free its agents but that it can not move policies to the state. Late Wednesday the state denied the company’s appeal of the provisions

“The petition came across largely as just expressing displeasure at the withdrawal order that the commissioner approved,” Ed Domansky with the Office of Insurance Regulation said.

The legal wrangling made by State Farm customers a month or two before their nonrenewal notice shows up, but the bottom line remains the same: you’ll need to find new coverage.

A State Farm Spokesman would say little.

“We are trying to work with the OIR to ensure a smooth transition for our agents, our policyholders, and our employees,” State Farm spokesman Michael Grimes said.

Governor Charlie Crist is also being more restrained than usual.

He continues to urge policy holders to check for new coverage online.

“Thank goodness that the Insurance Department developed shopandcomparerates.com, so when things like that happen, whether it’s state farm or any other company, the consumer has the power of choice,” Crist said.

But as many a million State Farm customers will have little choice if they end in the state run pool. And if they do, the risk to everyone else in Florida will go up dramatically.

Legislation making the state the sole provider of hurricane insurance is creating a storm in the capitol. The bill would eliminate Citizens Insurance and create a larger pool of policyholders to spread out the risk. As Whitney Ray tells us, the governor doesn’t like the plan and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer is calling it terrible.

Florida is just one major storm away from bankruptcy. The state’s catastrophe fund is inadequate and Washington is hesitant to offer a backup plan. Senator Mike Fasano is pushing legislation to create state hurricane insurance. Fasano says the plan could reduce rates.

“We have to create a windstorm pool to put all the homeowners and properties that want windstorm into one pool statewide thereby spreading the risk out and reducing premiums,” said Fasano.

Private insurance companies are seeking double digit rate hikes to prepare for a major storm, but the state has the most exposure. The state already takes on the riskiest properties through Citizens, leaving private insurance companies to cherry pick from the safer homes. Governor Charlie Crist wants to keep Citizens intact.

“From what I understand it talks about getting rid of Citizens Property Insurance Company and I couldn’t support that that has been a lifesaver for Florida,” said Crist.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said the plan stinks.

“It’s a terrible idea,” said Sink. “Let me draw a picture; If we have a one in a hundred year storm, which we very well could have, that’s 60 billion dollars in residential hurricane losses in our state.”

But the Cat Fund offers 20 billion dollars in protection, but its unclear if the state could bond for the extra amount. The sponsors of the legislation in the House and the Senate say their plan would lower insurance cost for everyone by enticing more insurance companies to write policies in Florida.

33,000 kids on the state’s welfare rolls rely on volunteers to help them through the legal system.

The state’s guardian ad litem program has just 500 employees. 7,000 volunteers have stepped up to help neglected and abused children through the legal process. Child advocates met with the Governor and lawmakers Wednesday at the capitol for Guardian Ad Litem Month. Florida Guardian Ad Litem Executive Director Theresa Flury said children need the services they provide.

“When a child is removed, they lose parents, they lose their siblings so a lot of times the guardian is the one constant in that child’s life when that child is going through an extremely difficult period of time,” said Flury.

Despite the success of the Guardian’s volunteer program, 5,000 kids still go through the court system without anyone to offer support. For more information about how to volunteer go to www.guardianadlitem.org

Governor Charlie Crist is warming up to eliminating a sales tax exemption.

State lawmakers have been reviewing 50 of the state’s sales tax exemptions in an effort to avoid deep budget cuts. Crist, who has opposed new taxes since he took office in 2007, says there is a current exemption he would consider. Right now car trade-ins aren’t taxed. Crist said eliminating that exemption could bring the state millions of dollars.

“There are a lot of exemptions out there and I would encourage the legislature to continue to review those exemptions and one of them that Jerry mentioned to me yesterday that may hold some promise is when people trade in a car apparently there’s an exemption for that. and I don’t know if that’s justified and it could mean a half a million dollars,” said Crist.

Crist says the money could be used to keep education spending cuts off the table.

The state’s highest ranking Democrat may be preparing to run for Governor.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has been fundraising and beefing up her staff. She has also increased her visibility this session speaking up in support for legislation to protect seniors from annuity fraud and challenging questionable government spending. Sink hasn’t said yes, but she isn’t saying no to a possible 2010 run at the Governor’s Office.

“I am focused on the job that people sent me to Tallahassee to do which is to look out for the citizen’s interest. We’ll deal with other political issues later,” said Sink.

Sink may be waiting to see if Governor Charlie Crist decided to run for US Senate. When asked if taking Crist out of the race would change her mind, Sink says a lot of people are waiting to see what Crist does before they make any political moves.

As school districts across the state brace for cuts, a new study by FSU suggests
that some of the programs on the cutting block are the most effective in keeping students motivated and engaged and in school.  As Mike Vasilinda tells us music educators and performing arts teachers are fighting for their livelihood.

To be or not to be…an actor, a musician, or an artist. The decision could change how a student performs throughout their life. A new study  by an FSU professor finds strong correlation between a student’s participation in the arts and how well they do on the FCAT, SAT and whether they drop out.  Music educators say there has never been such comprehensive evidence.

“The more arts they had, the better they did,” James Perry with the Music Educators Association said. “And there was a significant difference between the kids with four years of arts and students with no arts.”

High school principal Rocky Hanna says band students are among the best and brightest, but he also sees big differences when special ed students pick up a musical instrument.

“Music and arts help those kids develop and it stimulates their mind for growth,” Hanna said.

With budget cuts looming, performing arts educators are worried that their going to be the first people on the chopping block.

Educators hope lawmakers will look at the study and decide not to cut the arts deeper than any other programs.

Senate Educations Appropriations Chairman Steve Wise says he’s gotten the message.

“When we get through, I think the education budget is going to be, I think they’re going to be a lot happier than what they thought was going to happen,” Wise said.

But whether music and other programs can weather the budget storm remains deeply in doubt.

The study found enhanced academic performance when the arts were involved across all ethnic, racial and economic levels of society.

At least one local government, Alaucha County, is unhappy with comments made by Governor Charlie Crist, and they’ve written a letter to the Governor. In it, they ask him to stop vilifying local governments. “The most troubling aspect of your comments as they apply to our county is the fact that while you are blasting local governments, the ONLY rate of our citizen’s tax bill in the last three years to increase is the local required effort as dictated by the representatives in Tallahassee”, says the letter from the County Commission. You can read the entire letter here: Alaucha Letter.