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More Environmental Education Needed

Rain dampened Earth Day ceremonies at the state Capitol today, but several hundred kids still showed up to hear from the state hydrologist why rain is a good thing. Environmentalists applauded the Department of Environmental Protection sponsored event, but Janet Bowman of the Nature Conservancy says kids in Florida today are being shortchanged at schools when it comes to environmental education.

“If we don’t expose children to the outdoors. They won’t be important to them. They won’t understand why protecting water and our lands are important. And when they grow up, they won’t really have the background to appreciate what many in Florida have fought for 30 years to protect” says Bowman.

State parks across the state will celebrate Earth Day this weekend with a variety of activities.

Possessing other people’s IDs and credit card information in Florida isn’t necessarily a crime. Police have to prove the person with the info plans to commit fraud. As Whitney Ray tells us, the House voted to change that and now it’s the Senate’s turn to take action.

In less than three minutes, the Florida House passed a bill to protect people from identity theft. Representative Larry Ahern is sponsoring legislation making it a felony to possess IDs, credit cards or the banking information of five or more people.

There are exceptions. Parents, teachers or other workers who have a legitimate reason to possess the information are exempt. This bill targets the bad guys.

Like the parents of a six year old who brought a plastic bag full of debit and credit cards to show and tell. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office questioned the parents but had to let them go.

“We were not able to charge the parents because as the law stands now the mere possession of 52 debt cards is not illegal. We have to show intent,” said Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office Captain Robert Ura.

Stories like this filled the halls of the state capitol. Wednesday police got their wish. The Florida House speed thorough House Bill 6-91. The following day, a Senate Committee heard the bill.

Senate Sponsor Arthenia Joyner expects quick passage in her chamber.

“I’m looking forward to it passing so they can effectively use it and put a stop to the carnage that is happening to people with their credit,” said Joyner.

Florida leads the nation in Tax Fraud. The hope is the new law will help the state shed the title. The bill creates a misdemeanor for people caught with four or fewer pieces of other people’s information.

In the summer of 1989, Floridians were horrified over the death of two year old Bradley McGee at the hands of his stepfather. The child had been dunked head first in the toiled, beaten and tortured for weeks before dying. Thomas Coe was sentenced to life, but under the law at that time he is entitled to a parole hearing. Today was that hearing.

Bradley McGee spent most of his life in foster care…returning home just two moths before being beaten and tortured to death by his step father. Thomas Coe received a life sentence. Cheryl Coe served nine years. Under the law at the time, Coe is entitled to parole. Polk County State Attorney Jerry Hill described the crime to the Parole Commission this way: “I think this is the worst case I’ve ever appeared on. I promise you is far and away one of the saddest.”

At the time, Bradley became the poster child for change. His foster mother Pam Kirkland lead the charge. “I think we’re tired of children paying the price that we adults have the responsibility to protect these children.”

Kirkland has now passed and is buried next to Bradley. Her daughter came to tell the Parole Commission the world has no use for Thomas Coe “And the anger and the mentality he has will never change because there’s no remorse today.” Another family friend, Dorine Parsons, nearly broke down from rage. “This morning Thomas Coe got up and he breathed. This baby did not.”

The Commission denied parole…and set a lengthy seven year period before the case can be heard again. The decision satisfied the Samantha Campbell.  “It’s a shame that Sheryl got to walk because of overcrowding which is very sad, but God will take care of that not us.”

Bradley McGee would be 26 had he survived.

Several bills filed to limit abortions in Florida are up for votes in the state House. Members asked questions on the bills this afternoon. They even waved the rules and, as Whitney Ray tells us, passed one bill to protect the fetus in a botched abortion.

The remaining abortion bills could be voted on later this week.

In the middle of a packed agenda, Florida House members tackled three abortion bills. The first would make the death of a fetus in the commission of a crime against the mother, murder.

“If a person commits any crime that causes the death of, or bodily injury to an unborn child, such person commits a separate offense,” explained Representative Larry Ahern.

After a half hour of discussion the bill was put on the agenda for final passage.

“I believe that abortions are wrong as you know, but I believe discrimination again any human is wrong,” said Representative Charles Van Zant.

Then Democrats and Republicans faced off over a bill to ban abortions based on the race or sex of the offspring. Before the procedure doctors would have to verify the mother’s motive.

“So are we asking our doctors and our health practitioners to now put on a police officers cap and perform a criminal investigation?” ask House Democrat Dave Kerner.

One of the abortion bills had the potential to be the most controversial piece of legislation of this session but changes were made and it passed with unanimous support.

“It defines born alive in clear and unambiguous terms a delivered human infant who draws a breath,” said bill sponsor Representative Cary Pigman.

The bill requires doctors to protect the life of any fetus surviving a botched abortion. The bill passed with overwhelming support.

Three teachers from three counties, Escambia, Alachua, and Hernando, have filed a lawsuit in Federal Court, challenging a 2011 law that tells districts how to evaluate teacher performance.

All three are former teachers of the year. The say they are not receiving equal protection under the 14th amendment because they are being measured by test scores of students they have never taught. Florida Education President Andy Ford calls the system absurd.

“It’s very compelling that when you have teachers who have been honored by their faculty and in their districts as being a Teacher of the Year to have an unsatisfactory evaluation or evaluation that’s less than perfect. Based on student test scores of kids you’ve never taught  in a grade level you never taught.  It is just absolutely absurd and we need a new system” says Ford.

Beth Ann Moore is a high school teacher in Hernando County and says her evaluation is based on students she has never taught. “Seems like I should be evaluated on students I teach and the subjects that I teach. So that way I am truly getting an evaluation of my teaching abilities and also seeing the growth of my students in my subject area” says Moore.

A second plantif in the case is Kim Cook. She teaches grades one through three in Gainesville. Cook filed the lawsuit challenging the states system of evaluating teachers because her scores were based on students at another school that she has never seen. “And they were students I’ve never met at a completely different school. I’ve had no part in instructing them whatsoever. ”

Reporter: “So you have been evaluated on based on performance of students you’ve never taught.” “That’s correct” says the elementary school teacher.

The case was filed in Federal Court in Gainesville.

Consumer advocates are claiming a small victory tonight. Legislation to shrink state-run Citizens Property Insurance and raise rates on new customers is stalling. As Whitney Ray tells us, the bill was on the Senate agenda for final passage but the vote was postponed.

Twenty four hours before a crucial vote on Citizens Property Insurance consumers spoke out.

“I am in Citizens, not because I chose to be in Citizens but because I was forced into Citizens,” said John Thompson.

Because of sinkholes, no private company will insure Thompson’s home. Monday he came to Tallahassee to explain his dilemma to lawmakers.

“Do I have the solutions no, but time and time again I feel that I’m failed because our legislators don’t listen to us. They listen to the insurance lobbyists,” said Thompson.

Thompson’s gripe may have been heard. The bill was set for passage Tuesday morning but the vote was postponed.

“At the request of Senator Simmons, committee substitute for Senate Bill 1770 is temporarily postponed,” said Senate President Don Gaetz.

The delay may mean the votes to pass the bill weren’t there. In the meantime insurance and business lobbyists continue to push for its passage.

The bill would prohibit Citizens from covering properties worth more than a million dollars, then reduce the eligible values by 100-thousand dollars each year for the next five years.”

David Hart with the Florida Chamber of Commerce says if Citizens doesn’t shrink soon everyone will be paying more.

“We are actually all still paying back Citizens for the losses in ‘03 and ’04,” said Hart.

Citizens insures more than 400 billion dollars in risk. When the state run company can’t pay, all Florida property owners see their insurance bills increase.

After the bill was temporarily passed Shawn Shaw with the Policyholders of Florida released this statement: “The delay of this bill to raise rates and stall our housing recovery shows that policyholders and consumer advocates are making a difference. We will continue to pound lawmakers with the facts – this bill would hurt our housing recovery, harm policyholders, and make rate making even more political.”

A big vote today in the Florida House. A bill granting instate tuition rights to the children of illegal immigrants passed with overwhelming support. As Whitney Ray tells us, the legislation comes two years after state lawmakers considered an Arizona-style immigration law.

Debate in Spanish and Creole could be heard in the Florida House Chambers. The multi-lingual portions of Friday’s legislative session were sparked by a bill to lower tuition costs for students born in Florida to undocumented parents.

“They are US Citizens. They we’re born in this country, like I was and many of you were and they deserve this benefit,” said the bill’s sponsor Jeanette Nunez.

The bill passed with overwhelming support, but before the vote, there was controversy.

“It is something that gives me hope for the future but it makes me sad that we cannot move more deliberately,” said Representative Jose Rodriquez.

Representative Jose Rodriquez tried to amend the bill to include non-citizen students who were brought here as kids and are pushing legislation called the Dream Act.

“Many of the dreamers were brought here young and they have no country to go home to. They are as American as anybody else culturally,” said Rodriquez.

The bill’s passage is a big step here in Florida. Just two years ago the state’s Republican led legislature was considering an Arizona-style immigration law.”

“This is a huge step forward. Two years ago we were discussing the Arizona-type of immigration law,” said Artiles.

Democrats vowed to use the bill as a starting point. They want to come back next year and pass the Dream Act.

Florida foster kids face an uphill battle. Some are shuttled from home to home. Others live in group homes hoping to be reunited with their parents. As Whitney Ray tells us, Governor Rick Scott signed legislation today to give foster kids more normal lives.

Stephen Satchell was a sprinter in high school. He was also a foster kid. When his team made the finals Stephen couldn’t go, because laws meant to protect foster kids often keep them from living normal lives.

“My case worker didn’t schedule the court appearance in time and I wasn’t able to get the court order to attend and it was really devastating because we made nationals that year,” said Stephen.

Stephen is part of Florida Youth SHINE, a foster care advocacy group helping change state law. Thursday in Tallahassee they shared stories of how red tape keeps foster kids down.

“In 7th grade I had a best friend and I wasn’t able to go to her house,” said Danielle McMahan.

“In elementary school a lot of the kids were able to go out to do these youth programs for the church and I was never allowed to go because I was in a group home,” said Ti’erra Carter.

And a simple right of passage like getting a drivers license at 16 couldn’t be done without a case worker or in some cases a court order. The laws are meant to protect foster kids from dangerous situations but they were keeping the kids from harmless activities. Not anymore.

“What a momentous day today is,” proclaimed DCF Secretary David Wilkins.

With the stroke of a pen Governor Rick Scott eliminated the barriers. Now decisions about sports, sleepovers and field trips can be made by foster parents, not case workers and courts. And even though it’s too late to help these child advocates, they’re still rejoicing.

“Florida Youth SHINE is awesome and I feel like it’s really unreal,” said Danielle.

“It’s a really big day,” said Ti’erra.

One more victory for the advocacy group and more opportunity for foster kids.

According to a legislative study just 10 percent of eligible Florida foster kids have received a learners permit and just three percent a drivers license. Now the decision about when the teens can apply for their licenses will be solely in the hands of their foster parents.

It’s probably the most dangerous thing you do every day.

Get in your car and drive. Today about 40 bicyclists finished a 400 mile ride to the state capitol to promote road safety. A mother told her story about losing her son to a drunk driver. Two FSU college students talked about the death of their friend who died on a trip from Tampa to Tallahassee.

Sarah Sweat / Q…prevent them. :12
FSU Student
“Pay attention to those around you. Pay attention to the conditions and pay attention to the road. You have to be ready for anything. Bad things happen to good people who are doing the right thing and all we can do is our best to prevent them,” said Sarah Sweat.

This is the third year for the event. It’s sponsored by the Dori Slosberg Foundation. Dori is the daughter of Representative Irv Slosberg. She died in a car wreck before he was elected.

Governor Rick Scott carried the torch for the Special Olympics today.

He was joined by a few hundred Florida law enforcement officers. This was the 30th year for the torch run which begins about a two miles from the state capitol. Scott says his budget will help disabled Floridians finds jobs.

“My budget has 36 million dollars to provide critical services to people who are on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities waiting list, which means that hundreds of families that need support will get it,” said Scott.

The Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games will be held May 17th in Lake Buena Vista.

The state senate is saying no to police drones.

A bill to ban police from using drones to spy on law abiding citizens passed the full senate today. The legislation would allow police to use drones after they’ve received a court order or in emergency situations. The bill’s sponsor Senator Joe Negron says the right to privacy needs to be protected.

“I believe that it achieves a delicate balance between freedom and security and I want to thank the law enforcement community for their suggestions,” said Negron.

The bill emerges as the federal government explores more police state policies like increased TSA checkpoints, internet censorship and radio frequency tracking through state and school issued IDs.

An attempt to keep medical patients from hurting themselves and others has new life. Until today legislation to give nurse practitioners the right to conduct involuntary mental health exams looked dead. As Whitney Ray tells us, a group of dedicated nurses brought the bill back to life.

An emergency news conference in the second half of session, standard operating procedure when a bill is in trouble.

Wednesday, nurse practitioners called reporters to the state capitol. A bill to give them more authority to stop potential suicides and homicides passed the house… but seemed dead in the Senate.

“In the Senate we need your advocacy,” said Representative Hazel Rogers.

This issue concerns the Baker Act. The law allows doctors, mental health experts and police to committee people deemed to be dangerous.

Stan Whittaker is nurse practitioner and works at a country clinic where doctors aren’t always available. One day Stan tried to help a man bent on suicide. He called the police.

“When the law enforcement arrived the person was asked the questions. The same questions I asked, but he told a different story,” said Whittaker.

The police couldn’t commit the man.

“And less than two hours later that person was found dead,” said Whittaker.

As nurses shared their stories… news from the Senate arrived.

“We just heard that Senator Sobel has put this bill on the agenda for one o’clock,” said Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda.

The crowd cheered. They’re plan worked. The Senate hears the bill Monday.

The fattest budget in Florida history passed the State Senate this afternoon with unanimous support. The 74 billion dollar spending plan includes a 25-hundred dollar pay raise for teachers and a three percent increase for state workers. Senate Budget Chief Joe Negron says state workers have gone too long without an increase.

“They haven’t had a raise in six years. We appreciate what they do everyday. All of us know how hard they work and so we are recognizing that with an across the board three percent pay increase,” said Negron.

The Senate’s plan has bipartisan support but in the House trouble is brewing. Most House Democrats are vowing to vote against the budget in their chamber, unless the Medicaid expansion is included.

“It’s time that the money comes back to us and it’s coming back to the most neediest Floridians. Those who are out there working hard every day and can’t afford any type of health coverage and we want to be there for them and it’s important enough for us to take a position on this budget,” said Thurston.

Some House Democrats plan to break ranks. They’ve spent years fighting for items in the budget like state workers raises and increased education spending.

Pressure for state lawmakers to accept federal money to expand Medicaid is mounting. Young adults who are too old for Medicaid and too poor to buy their own coverage are in Tallahassee asking for help. As Whitney Ray tells us, they’re caught in the coverage gap.

It’s a tale of two Medicaids. Donya Marshall’s daughter Chloe has DiGeorge Syndrome. She and her husband both work. Both have insurance, but they still can’t pay Chloe’s medical bills. So Medicaid does.

“Without Medicaid in our lives we would not have been able to take her to so many appointments so many times a week,” said Donya.

Then there’s Geosel Robles. Geo has Muscular Dystrophy. He works. He goes to college. He recently celebrated a bitter birthday.

“On his 18th birthday he got a birthday cake, but he lost his insurance,” said Dr. Britt Stroud with Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Until last year Medicaid paid for Geo’s treatment. Now, without health insurance he can’t afford to visit the doctor.

Geo: You’re feeling bad because you don’t know what’s going on.
Reporter: So you live with that uncertainty every day?
Geo: Everyday man, but I’m not going to let it keep me down. I have goals.

Tuesday at the state capitol doctors told stories about young adults caught in the gap. They’re covered by Medicaid until they’re 18, then they’re on their own.

“When we transition the children in to adult services we have a similar situations like Geosel has explained to you,” said Dr. Daniel Plasencia.

The doctors and patients form the Florida Remedy Coalition. They’re asking state lawmakers to expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap. And with just a few weeks left in session the pressure’s mounting on lawmakers to accept the cash. The Senate has devises a plan to take the money. Now all eyes are on the House.

Geo hopes the House comes through but he’s pushing forward regardless. While MD tears down his body, Geo’s focused on sharpening his mind. He wants to be a lawyer.

The Senate plan would allow private insurers to take the Medicaid money to extent coverage. Florida’s House Speaker now says he’s open to alternative plans but still worries about what will happen when the federal money runs dry.

Several bills to reduce the number of abortions in Florida are gaining momentum this legislative session. Today supporters of Planned Parenthood held a rally on the capitol steps, but as Whitney Ray tells us, instead of railing against the pro-life legislation, the group focused on the Medicaid expansion.

Planned Parenthood workers and supporters held signs on the steps of the historic capitol Monday.

The focus of the rally; the Medicaid expansion made optional through the Affordable Care Act.

“My colleges need to act now, not next session, to expand access to health insurance to more Florida women and their families,” said State Senator Eleanor Sobel.

While the rally focused mostly on the Medicaid expansion; inside the state capitol legislation to reduce the number of abortions in Florida was moving.

Of the half dozen bills filed. One would outlaw abortions based on the race or sex of the fetus. Another makes killing a fetus while committing a criminal act against the mother a separate crime.

The bill garnering the most attention deals with botched abortions. Last month lawmakers asked poignant questions of a Planned Parenthood lobbyist about what to do if the fetus is still alive after the procedure.

At the rally, CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida Lillian Tamayo said their physicians are prepared to handle the situation.

“If confronted with a situation like that, our physicians would provide the appropriate care for both the infant and the woman,” said Tamayo.

After the rally an amended version of the bill passed a committee, with Planned Parenthood’s support. Another bill would allow rape victims who decided to keep their child to take their attacker to court to eliminate the rapist’s parental rights.