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Fears that a new constitutional amendment in 2016 legalizing medical marijuana is the first step in legal recreational pot, the same people who opposed Amendment 2 last fall are now behind legislative efforts to expand medical marijuana. But as Mike Vasilinda tells us, that support comes with some big catches.

883 thousand more people voted for medical marijuana than voted against it. While it narrowly missed being part of the constitution, lawmakers are taking notice..especially since a new petition drive is under way for 2016. This is what House Speaker Steve Cristifulli has this to say. “I’m not a big proponent of individuals going to the ballot, to work on issues like that, but, you know, I think we have a process that is set up here that allows us to liberate the  issue.”

State Senator Jeff Brandes has already filed legislation similar to what 5voters said they wanted.

Lawmakers and opponents don’t want to fight another constitutional amendment battle because they don’t want medical marijuana in the Constitution.

Florida Sheriff’s, who were some of medical marijuana’s most vocal opponents voted 38-2 to oppose Brandes’s legislation, but at the same time they issued a position paper saying they would accept non smokable marijuana if access was limited to 9 diseases.

“Its a non starter if its anything but non smokeable” says political operative Barney Bishop.

Barney Bishop coordinated the forces against Amendment 2, but since Christmas he has been negotiating between the two sides. He expects legislation to pass this year or next… Q:”And why non smokeable?” “Just because there isn’t any good health benefits from smoking anything. We do allow for vaping.”

Legislation allowing non smokeable medical marijuana is expected to be introduced in the House as early as this week.

Pro medical marijuana groups are holding a rally at the state capitol tomorrow.

The Critical Incident Response Team report in the death a a five year old thrown off the Skyway Bridge highlights three errors made by child protection workers. The first was the failure of staff to make a referral to the family as early as June 2013 for services to stabilize the family. The second was the failure to follow Florida Abuse Hot Line procedures when a call came to the hot line on December 29 warning Phoebe Jonchuck was in danger. The third was the failure to act on a call that came in January 7th of this year, hours before Phoebe was thrown 60 feet to her death. The caller said Jon Jonchuck wanted him to read from a Swedish bible because he was God.

“At one point he said he was God too.”

Q:”He was drugged?”

“Yeah, he was god himself at one point in the conversation. He said he was. The child was in the office, then he talked about an angel coming down and ah, and then he had to be in a church in 15 minutes to be baptized.”

The Department of Children and Families declined to make someone available on camera. DCF changed Hot Line procedures once it knew the second of the two calls had not been acted upon.

https://www.flanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Call-1-7-2015.mp3 

The battle between the North and the South could be re-emerging in Florida’s legislature. As Matt Galka tells us, they may have to decide if Confederate veterans should be allowed in the new Florida Veterans Hall of Fame.

Armed with the Confederate flag and a shirt proudly displaying the Stars and Bars, African-American H.K. Edgerton is trying to do right by Confederate veterans.

“The Confederate soldier is an American veteran, and this flag is a venerated object mandated by the United States Congress, end of the question,” he said.

Edgerton, who received a medal from the Governor, and Sons of the Confederate Veterans colleague David McCallister chastised the state for not allowing Confederate soldiers into the Florida Veteran’s Hall of Fame.

Nominated soldiers for this years class included former Governor Edward Perry, David Lang who helped spawn the National Guard, and former U.S. Senator Samuel Pasco – who the county was named after.

“Samuel Pasco, he was a private in the war, wounded, POW,” said McCallister.

You won’t find Civil War Veterans on the wall because soldiers needed to have fought for the United States Armed Forces. The interpretation doesn’t sit well with cabinet member Adam Putnam

“If you’re throwing these guys out on a technicality, that’s just dumb. There’s no need to relitigate this,” said Putnam.

The class was put on hold until a clear interpretation of the law and a review of the three other men could be completed.

“Don’t tell me about he’s a rebel, he did all these other kinds of things. Poppycock! He is an American Veteran, recognize him,” said Edgerton.

The issue may come down to a vote from the state legislature. The class that was slated to be inducted would have contained the first African-American inductee.

Lawmakers are questioning training and supervision at the state’s Child Abuse hotline after the Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll acknowledged that it missed at least two opportunities to save a 5 year old who was thrown off a bridge by her troubled father.

The state spends 18 million dollars a year operating the child abuse hotline. But two calls warning of danger to 5 year old Phoebe Jonchuck…one a week before her death, weren’t taken seriously.  Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll acknowledged the second call in a meeting with lawmakers.  “In hindsight, looking at those calls, we probably should have accepted them both and we should have inititated an investigation on dad” said Carroll.

Lawmakers with oversight praise the agency for its transparency in the death investigation, but State Senator Eleanor Sobel says the missed calls raise serious questions about training at the hotline.

“What are the qualifications to be on the hotline?  What’s the training? Who’s answering the phones?”

Rep. Gayle Harrell, Chair of the House Children, Families & Seniors subcommittee has similar questions. Q:”What training do you think was lacking at the hotline?”

“I don’t know! And I think the Secretary realizesd that, and he’s already instituted some changes.”

A full report on the days weeks and moths leading up to Phoebe’s death is due Monday.

Secretary Mike Carroll told lawmakers that not only did his agency miss handle the calls, it also failed to assess the danger and provide services. “and dad was allowed custody of that child, and there were really no services put in place for that child, so uyou are gonna see that’s going to be a finding too!”

Records released by DCF show that in 2012, child-protective investigators knew the family had trouble and did nothing.”

The report on Phoebe’s death is required under a law passed last year. The report will contain a full history of the state’s contact with the family. What it did right or wrong, and the redacted calls made to the abuse hotline.

Tallahassee Police today released three videos found on the laptop of shooter Myron May. The recordings were made two days before May opened fire at the library in the early morning hours of November 20th. In the first video, May says he is a targeted individual and outlines the various ways he believes he is being targeted. In the second he offers a prayer. “Father, don’t let my story die. Father I want to ask your forgiveness for my actions. Please let those who are harmed in any way by my actions. Give them the spirit of contentment and peace.I really am sorry, and have mercy on my soul. I love you. Amen.”

May was shot and killed by police after he shot three people and refused to drop his weapon.

While the Governor and Cabinet came out with new processes today for future firings and hirings at agencies they supervise. But they did not agree or order an investigation into whether the open meetings law was violated when aides talked behind the scenes. House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford says lawmakers may have to step in to get to the bottom of how the state’s top law enforcement official was fired.

“You know we do have the ability to subpoena, we do have the ability to hold hearing and take testimony. I suspect more pressure would be on the legislature if the Cabinet doesn’t want to take corrective action and begin that process today” says Pafford.

Pafford says he has talked with Republican House Speaker Steve Cristifulli and says the Speaker is aware of his responsibilities but gave no indication if he was willing to hold hearings.

State health officials, growers, and parents are expected to wrap up a rule making session that will lay out how the state will make Charlotte’s Web, a low THC marijuana available to patients. A majority of voters said yes to a full blown medical marijuana in November, but the measure fell short of being in the constitution. Now House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford thinks lawmakers will act sooner than later.

“I think that at 58% the people spoke. And I think, they are clearly okay with moving beyond Charlotte’s Web. What that looks like, I don’t know” says Pafford

Legislation to allow medical marijuana for more patients has been filed by a Republican Senator. Lawmakers are also facing another ballot vote in 2016 in which may believe if they don’t act first, voters will.

More than a hundred foster children and the people who take care of them were in the State Capitol today, letting lawmakers know what could make their stay with the Department of Children and Families more pleasant. Kurt Kelly is the CEO of the foundation that overseas foster care.

“We really want, from child welfare this year, we think it’s important for the children to tell their stories. .Some of the successes, some of their concerns, some of the areas we need support on.”

Rachel Gomez has spent the last four years in Foster care and is telling lawmakers the system needs more stability. “Well, I’ve had a lot of caseworker change and we would like more training and everything so we can have more stability and one case worker for our whole entire stay in the system.”

A House committee will spend half a day next week listening to concerns at DCF.

Negotiators in the state Capitol are making a last ditch effort to develop a rule for the growing and distribution of low THC marijuana. Lawmakers wanted a rule in place by January first. Because the Dept of Heath didn’t follow the law, the first rule was thrown out. Now 12 negotiators are working into the night to get a rule by the end of the month.

11 year old RayAnn Moseley is the reason lawmakers approved low TCH marijuana for children with seizures. After the Department of Health failed to follow the law, a judge threw out a proposed rule that could have made the substance available last month. Now RayAnn’s mother Holley is one of 12 negotiators working long hours to get a rule in place.

“She’s had a rough January. But she’s hanging in there. She’s strong, she’s a fighter. We’ll keep going and looking forward to the day that RayAnn gets to try Charlotte’s Web in Florida. How exciting will that be?” says Moseley.

Also negotiating are a handful of growers who may apply for licenses One of them is John Tipton of Ruskin  Farms. “I think this is the way it probably should have happened a long time ago. I think we would have been much further along had this happened earlier.”

One its first day, the group agreed to allowing each of the five licensed growers to have retail stores across the state. Louis Rotundo, founder of the Florida Medical Cannabis Association says that will benefit consumers. “That is the most important component that was always missing. That means that each nursery applicant will be able to establish a delivery system that may include storefronts.”

Wednesday will be a 14 hour day for negotiators, and they’ll come back Thursday morning at 8 am and work until they are done.

If there are no legal challenges to the final license awards, the first legal Medical marijuana should arrive in early summer.

Nearly 1500 calls were made to the national human traffic resource center last year from Florida…the third most in the country. As Matt Galka tells us, lawmakers are continuing to clamp down on the human trade.

Katarina Rosenblatt is a human trafficking survivor.

“In Miami at 13 I first was recruited at a hotel, and I escaped, and then I was recruited again at my middle school because I still had the vulnerabilities of coming from an abusive home,” she told a House committee on Wednesday.

She has gone on to earn her Ph.D. and has written a book about her human trafficking ordeal.  She spoke before a House panel Wednesday about the need to put more safeguards for human trafficking in at the school level. Lawmakers were receiving an update on a bill signed last year.

Representative Gayle Harrell says there is still work to be done.

“These pimps are very ingenius in what they do, they go out there and recruit young, vulnerable kids, and we need to address that problem as well,” said Rep. Harrell (R-Stuart).

One proposal floating around the Capitol is imposing a “sin” tax on adult entertainment establishments.

Representative Lori Berman is backing the idea. A $10 dollar surcharge would be put on customers at strip clubs with funds being directed toward human trafficking programs.

“We have an obligation and we have determined that we are going to help victims of human trafficking, and in terms of getting a source of funding for victims of human trafficking, it obviously makes more sense if you use something that has helped contribute to the problem,” said Rep. Berman (D-Boynton Beach).

Berman says there is a connection between the clubs and human trafficking, but the legislature will look into it further before making any major moves. Sex trafficking leads the amount of Florida human trafficking cases by about 4 to 1.

It may soon be harder for you to see the records of your government. After a record breaking 22 public records exemptions last year, lawmakers are back with more ideas for limiting what you can see.

Florida’s tax collectors were out in force at the Capitol. They are supporting legislation by Senator Jack Latvala that would keep email addresses they receive confidential.

“This is really an anti fraud measure” Latvala told a Senate committee.

Pinellas County Tax Collector Diane Nelson is worried that someone will duplicate her web site and send bogus emails directing payments to the false website. “They would make that web site look just like mine. And you would think you were receiving an email from Diane Nelson the tax collector vs a fake web site” says Nelson

So far more than 50 bills have been introduced limiting access to what are now public records. First Amendment Foundation President Barbara Peterson says it is an all out assault. “We’re having a real struggle I think. And it’s a critical time, I think for people to stand up and demand their rights under the constitution” says Peterson.

A case at the Florida Supreme Court could make it harder to get records you are legally entitled to.”

Curtis Lee was critical of the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund. When he wanted to see its records, the fund threw up roadblocks. “I would have to pay $280 to have someone watch me for the whole day” is what Lee was told.

Now Lee is asking the Florida Supreme Court to award him attorneys fees because he had to go to court to get records to which he was entitled. Attorney Robert Dees says a win is crucial. “And it will affirm people’s ability to get access to records.”

A ruling against fees could make records harder to get everywhere.

Florida wants to lead the way in job creation for people with disabilities. As Matt Galka tells us, advocates say lawmakers took a good first step today.

Disability advocate J.R. Harding says it’s hard enough to get a job. Adding a disability to the equation makes it even tougher.

“Employment for persons with disabilities has always lagged behind employment for persons without disabilities,” he said.

Florida lawmakers intend to change that starting with state jobs.  A proposed bill sailed through its first committee.  It would require state agencies to set goals and make sure underrepresented groups are in their workforce.

Senator Jeremy Ring says if it’s used in the private sector it should be used at the state level.

“If we’re asking sometimes things like affirmative action we’ve asked private companies to do so and have certain rules, we should have the same from a Government entity,” said Sen. Ring.

The bill is a top priority of both the House Speaker and Senate President. Senate President Andy Gardiner has a personal connection to the issue. His son has down syndrome.

“I’ve talked a lot about the importance of us in Government not necessarily providing everything but really providing the pathway for individuals not with disabilities but individuals with unique abilities,” he said.

Harding says it’s a good first step for the state.

“Florida can do better, and this would be a step in the right direction to empower not only state government, but all companies to consider persons with disabilities as viable employees,” he said.

The bill would also set up internship and on the job training programs for people with disabilities. 2015 marks the 25^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities act, which prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities.

Another former state agency head has gone public with heavy criticism about Florida’s Governor and his staff.  As Matt Galka tells us, the former Secretary of the state’s prison system painted a bleak picture.

Florida’s ailing prison system has taken another hit…and this time from its former chief.  Mike Crews – who stepped down in November – has publicly accused Governor Rick Scott and his office of ignoring multiple problems within the system.

Crews told the Miami Herald that the Governor’s office asked him to fire Corrections workers against Crews wishes, and tried to distract from the dangerous prison conditions that led to inmate abuse and deaths.

Senate Criminal Justice Committee chairman Greg Evers says he’s taking the allegations seriously.

“I’ve got a lot of concerns about the allegations that secretary Crews came up with. I’ve seen that there’s a lot of truth, underlying truth in everything he said, because those are the things I’m actually picking up in the investigations I’m running,” he said.

Governor Rick Scott addressed Crews’ comments Monday in Jacksonville.

“What I can tell you is that we’re at a 43 ½ year low on our crime rate, we’ll continue to increase funding, we have a true reformer running this department, and I absolutely believe in accountability and transparency,” he said.

Lawmakers have already come up with a 29 page bill to fix the prison problems but say more changes could be coming.

Following the comments and his own personal, unannounced visits to three correctional institutions, Evers says lawmakers need to get their fixes right.

“We’ll be moving back at a snails pace instead of a sprint, we’ll be going back to a snail’s pace to actually win the race and really find out what’s going on,” said Evers.

The state spends more than $2 billion dollars on prisons. The Governor’s latest budget would fill 300 vacant staff positions – which Evers says still isn’t enough.

The Governor’s proposed budget would add more than $50 million dollars to the prison system, which includes money to fix run down facilities. It does not call for employee raises – which corrections employees haven’t seen in seven years.