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Lawmakers return to Tallahassee on Monday, kicking off their 20 day special session in order to craft a state budget. Matt Galka tells us what they’ll be focusing on.

An abrupt end to Florida’s regular session at the end of April left lawmakers with plenty of unfinished business. Lawmakers are constitutionally required to craft a state budget and will return next week to do so during a special session.

“The Speaker and I both have said that we intend to get a budget done. I know there’s  a lot of talk about a continuation budget and things like that but the dialogue we’ve had is that we’re going to get a budget done and we feel very strongly about that,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner on Wednesday.

A healthcare battle caused the budget breakdown. The Senate wants to expand Medicaid, the House doesn’t.  But more than healthcare will be discussed over the scheduled 20 days. There are 32 bills on the table – like one allowing nurse practitioners to write prescriptions.

“It’s about allowing individuals who are trained to practice to the full extent of our training and medical care for Floridians who need it. It improves access and maintains and quality and can reduce costs,” said Robert Weissert with Florida TaxWatch.

Tax cuts being pushed by the Governor and environmental funding stemming from voter demand will also need to be figured out.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the environmental Amendment 1 but conservationists weren’t happy with dollar estimates during regular session

“The funding is a little light, we believe that both President Gardiner and Speaker Crisafulli are committed to getting Amendment 1 right in this first year and that means fully funding Florida Forever,” said Will Abberger with the Amendment 1 Coalition.

Time is of the essence for everyone looking for a slice of the budget pie.  Lawmakers intend to have everything wrapped up by June 20^th.

Both the Florida House and Senate convene starting at 1 p.m. on Monday. If lawmakers can’t reach a budget agreement before the current year’s budget expires on June 30th, then the state could be forced into a Government shutdown.

A slick new ad in the battle over healthcare expansion portrays Florida Hospitals as greedy and responsible for an increasing national debt. The ad was produced by a political committee called Florida Roundtable, which is tied to powerful Florida State Representative Richard Corcoran of Pasco County. As Mike Vasilinda tell us, healthcare advocates call the spot inaccurate.

The mostly red white and blue ad says the current costs of the current medicaid program are growing rapidly….

“leaving less money for education”

But that’s not what Rick Scott told us recently. “So now, we have a program that we can afford as taxpayers, two, we have recipients now who are responsible for their care, so it’s exciting what we’ve done” said Scott on May 20th.

The ad goes on to bash hospital profits.

”Growing profits paid for by growing debt” chimes the ad.

Damien Filer of Progress Florida calls the ad misleading.

“Well, its not at all accurate for starters, but more importantly, the people of Florida are tired of the constant bickering, and infighting” says Filer, who advocates for expanded health care.

“We reached out to the Florida Hospital Association because they are being portrayed as the villains here, but we haven’t heard back.”

This afternoon, they issued the following statement: “The Florida Hospital Association advocates every day for our hospital members and the patients they serve. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thousands of caregivers provide quality care to all patients in hospitals — from babies and their mothers to the most frail and vulnerable among us.

In a state with the third highest number of uninsured in the nation, ensuring all Floridians have access to affordable, quality health care services is our top priority. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders on long-term, sustainable solutions that are in the best interest of Florida’s patients and communities.”

The ad also says kids who need coverage already get it and only deadbeats “Who do not work” will benefit from expanded health care.

Karen Woodall has fought for expanded health care since at least 2011.

“So its just totally misinformation.”

We also reached out to Representative Richard Corcoran, a powerful state legislator who’s behind that spot. Corcoran did text us back but only to say he wasn’t at the Capitol.

We also aught up with the Senate President…who wants more health care…He hadn’t seen the ad…nor did he want to.

“Here’s the question, it they’re already out there attacking you, how can you ever reach a compromise?”  And that’s a question that will remain unanswered until at least Monday when Lawmakers return to the Capitol.

Lawmakers begin a 20 day special session on Monday to pass a state budget. Discussions also include the expansion of healthcare, which have so far gone nowhere and blocked any negotiation on the budget.

A year long battle to get medical marijuana into the hands of needy families in Florida could finally be ending. And as Matt Galka tells us, lawmakers could be considering expanding marijuana in the state when the medicine rolls out.

It’s been a long road for a low-THC strain of Medical Marijuana known as Charlotte’s Web in Florida.  The medicinal pot was approved in 2014, but a year long battle between the Department of Health and multiple organizations challenging various sections of their rules has delayed getting the medicine into patients hands. Jeff Sharkey with the medical marijuana business association says it looks like those days are behind the state now.

“It’s been a long process for a lot of people, but I think this rule making process has help clarify – this is a new emerging industry and people wanted some clarification on what they’re going to grow, how it’s going to be fostered, what’s safe,” he said.

A judge dismissed the final rule challenge Wednesday.  Five growers licenses still need to be granted this summer.

The medicine isn’t expected to be available until late 2015 or early 2016, around the same time lawmakers will be back for legislative session.
“There’s been an interest with the Senate in expanding the medical marijuana bill, increasing the number of people eligible. Veterans, people with ALS, a number of other folks with debilitating diseases,” said Sharkey.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar) sponsored the original bill of the medicine that is believed to help seizure victims. He says it could open the door for medicinal use in Florida.

“Once we get the infrastructure and the systems in place I expect that we can help even more patients in Florida with cannabis,” Rep. Gaetz told us over the phone.

Lawmakers made attempts to expand medical marijuana in the state during regular session this year, but the legislation didn’t get very far.

If lawmakers don’t revisit medical marijuana in 2016, supporters are confident that a medical marijuana amendment will be back on the ballot during election season.  2014’s amendment allowing medical marijuana usage in the state was narrowly defeated.

Three out of our Florida voters said yes to spending an existing real estate tax on purchasing environmentally sensitive land, but then state makers tried an end run, using the money for existing operations. Now, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, and upset environmental community plans to start pushing back.

Here’s why environmentalists are upset….they recommend 155 million for land buys …the Governor one hundred million…but House and Senate budgets had just 8 and and 15 million. Adding fuel to the fire….a third of the money voters approved is still destined to fund existing operations of  the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Amendment 1 Organizer Will Abberger says lawmakers aren’t keeping faith with voters.

“When Florida voters voted yes to fund the Land Acquisition Trust Fund they were voting they were voting for funding to acquire Florida’s threatened wildlife habitat, so funding agency operations that were previously funded out of general revenue seems a little bit inconsistent with that.”

During a conference call, Mary Barley, the principal behind the Everglades Trust promised a full court press to turn voters wishes into reality,

“We will continue to invest and keep you posted, because the cost of inaction could be catastrophic.”

Audubon Florida President Eric Draper acknowledges that dramatically changing funding during a special session is a heavy lift. “Voters should be angry by there fact legislators are not spending the money the way that Amendment one was supposed to be spent” says Draper.

One potential compromise making the rounds is going to a hundred million dollars for land purchases. That’s the Governor’s position. In exchange, he gets the tax cuts he wants.

At a Tuesday news conference, Senate President Andy gardiner  said the tax cuts were still on the table. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re very open to all if it” said Gardiner.

And what is becoming clearer is that the budget,  and money for health care and the environment are all intertwined.

A series of rallies are set for this Saturday to bring attention to the lack of funding. In our area (see below). After the rallies, environmentalists plan a direct mail campaign and robo calls targeting key lawmakers who are following through with funding for land and conservation.

Below is a list of the rallies on Saturday

Alachua

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: 15935 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32615

(Parking at Lowes, Sonny’s BBQ, or other nearby lots. This is the stretch of 441 that everyone uses to get to Spring Country!)

Bradenton

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Manatee County Courthouse, 1115 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Fort Myers

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Lee County Alliance of the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Jacksonville

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223

Melbourne

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Grills Riverside, 6075 N US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32940

On the Lagoon, east side of US Hwy 1, just north of Pineda Causeway.

Miami

City of South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard invites you to a public meeting with the Water and Land Legacy Coalition.

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: South Miami City Hall Commission Chamber, 6130 Sunset Dr., South Miami, FL 33143

Orlando

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Eagle’s Nest Park, 5165 Metrowest Blvd, Orlando, FL 32811

Stuart

When: Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Terra Fermata, 26 SE 6th St., Stuart, FL 34994

Tampa

When: Saturday, May 30, 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Where: Cypress Point Park, 5620 W. Cypress St., Tampa, FL 33607

Florida could soon be changing the way they tackle some relief efforts following hurricanes and other disasters. As Matt Galka tells us, Florida State University is helping state officials in getting more involved with drone technology.

Drones are becoming increasingly popular for hobbyists, but Florida State University has bigger plans.

David Merrick is the school’s director of the Center for Disaster Risk Policy.  He says the technology could take off for state’s and agencies working during disaster relief

“One of the big things that we think we can use it for is damage assessment. In other words, looking at how bad the disaster impacts were, what extent are residences and businesses damaged, how expensive is flooding, road conditions, things like that,” he said.

Last week, FSU became the first school in the country to use the technology during a hurricane exercise.

Merrick and his team were able to broadcast real time video of a mock assessment and recovery effort back to the state’s Emergency Operations Center.

This video from the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in 2005 shows a manned helicopter doing the same type of work.  Merrick says the unmanned aerial systems could do the same thing and save money.

“So the concept here is by using relatively inexpensive UAS we can do that job cheaper and possibly faster than some of the manned aviation assets,” said Merrick.

FSU started its unmanned aerial systems program this past spring.  It’s the only state school that currently offers one.

A bill that was signed into law this year limited what drones could film because of privacy concerns, but that restriction would be waived in the wake of a disaster.

Florida oysters from the Apalachicola Bay on the gulf coast have seen a disastrous decline – leading to litigation among Florida, Georgia and Alabama over freshwater use. As Matt Galka tells us, a new federal plan aims to help water flow into the area…and restore livelihoods and oyster production in the state.

It wasn’t a good Oyster haul for Tony Saddler and his son in Apalachicola Bay Tuesday morning.

“Only got about a half a bag, out there about two hours,” he said.

But things are improving…slowly.  The bay used to provide nearly 90 percent of all the oysters in the state, but a recent drought nearly wiped out the industry. Restoration plans are starting to help businesses that almost went under.

Congresswoman Gwen Graham wants to kick start the effort.  She announced her bay restoration plan while looking for Oysters with fisherman Tuesday morning.

“This is a treasure to Florida, it’s a treasure to our country, and what I hope will happen is that we will get more and more people to come down to North Florida and see how special this place on the world is and want to be invested in helping protect it,” said U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham (D-2nd Congressional District).

The deterioration has caused Florida to sue the state of Georgia – alleging the peach state is hogging too much freshwater for the city of Atlanta and not letting it flow south.

So even though the problem is mainly in the panhandle a lack of oyster production could mean your seafood prices go up.

Restaurant owner Lynn Martina has had to downsize from wholesale seafood to running a raw bar because of the lack of production.

“I never dreamed we’d go from selling them by the tractor trailer load to selling them by the dozen but that’s where we are, and it’s just because of the decline,” said Martina.

The Apalachicola Bay was declared a fishery disaster in the summer of 2013 because of the dying industry.

In addition to being the traditional beginning of beach season, Memorial Day is also the start of turtle nesting season in Florida. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, hundreds of dedicated volunteers protect nesting areas that would otherwise go unnoticed and likely be damaged by unsuspecting beach goers.

As the sun rises most mornings, you’ll find Bill Wargo walking the sands of Alligator Point, just south of the state Capitol.

“I always hoped that in retirement that I could maybe do something with the environment or nature, or whatever” says Wargo.

Retirement was in 2003. For the last 12 seasons, he’s been walking this beach, protecting the nests he finds. “And there is a certain amount of work and challenge to it, but I’ve always loved nature.”

Sometimes it’s not a turtle track that catches his interest….but man made beach paraphernalia….he tags it to let owners know it could impede a turtles route to a nest.

Nat sot: “because turtles will nest in this area.”

Five years ago when the BP oil spill threatened this beach, all of the eggs here were relocated to the east coast. Most turtles return to the beach where they were hatched to lay their own nest….usually 25 or 30 years later. No one can be sure what the turtles of the 2010 season will do…but Wargo says business has been booming at Alligator Point ever since the oil spill.

“Since since 2010, we’ve had more activity here on Alligator Point than we’ve ever had.”

Turtles begin nesting in the western gulf before reaching Alligator Point.

Along the beach, Wargo met a resident walking his dogs.” Are you seeing any turtles laying yet?” he was asked. “No not yet, but any day. Any day. We’re right at that point.”

And with Bills Wargo’s help, the 58 nests last year on this spit of land sent an estimated 5000 baby sea turtles into the gulf.

“And it’s been a labor of love” he adds.

Bill Wargo is a retired university professor and former director of state education technology. He says the health of sea turtles is important because it is an indication of the health of the Gulf of Mexico’s eco system.

Florida Audubon is urging beach goers to stay out of areas posted as bird nesting areas. Unlike many species sea birds lay their eggs directly on the sand and are often invisible to the untrained eye. Julie Waithmell of Audubon Florida says disturbing the birds could be catastrophic.

“Most people don’t even realize that birds nest on beaches.They expect a nest to be in a tree or bush, but these birds lay their eggs directly on the sand.Park biologists post protected areas, for them, but people will look into the posted area and not see anything and think…it’s okay for me to cross the twine line. When they do that, it flushes the parents from the eggs and chicks. It leaves them exposed to the sun or to predators or even to crushing under foot” says Waithmell.

Most beach nesting birds are on the state threatened species list of rare and declining birds.

More Americans are expected to travel this weekend than anytime in the last ten years. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, expect more traffic and a bigger police presence this weekend.

The weekend traffic has already started flowing.

”33 million people”  Thats the number of Americans AAA says will be traveling this weekend. Can you guess the top destination in the country?

“Orlando”

“just going to Disney World.” is what travelers on Interstate Ten told us. Orlando is the number one destination says AAA, which also says the biggest reasons more people are traveling is because of cheaper gas and an improving economy. But that’s not what we found at this rest area.”

Jo Robinson came from Alabama “Going to my granddaughters graduation in Sarasota” she told us.

Lynn Houston of Mobile, Alabama was on his way to a long weekend getaway with his wife. “Why this weekend?” “I was off my work and we planned this little get away.”

Ladaisha Turner is on active military duty in Oklahoma. She and husband Justin were on their way to meet up with family in Brevard County. “My sister is graduating high school. My dad’s coming back from England, so haven’t seen the family in two years” says Ladaisha.

Jane Street came from Panama City, Florida enroute to Disneyworld with another woman and three boys. “The boys are out of school and we decided to go before the Florida schools got out.”

Ben Franzuela and his wife were on their way home to Jacksonville. The couple timed their vacation to get home before the weekend started.

Q:”Are you trying to get home before Memorial Day to beat the traffic?”

“Yeah” “Yes”

“”We want to be with family.”

The heaviest travel in ten years comes as data from the CDC shows Florida is one of just 8 states where accidents are a definitive cause of death. FHP Spokesperson Capt. Nancy Rasmussen says its a big state with lots of tourists.

“Everything fun from Orlando with Disney World, going down to the keys. Everybody’s going to be on the road traveling, so that just makes this a very traveled state” says the FHP Captain.

Speeding…reckless driving and DUI will be on the patrols radar…W.D. Williams

Of AAA Motor Club South says if you’ve had too much to drink…call for a ride.

“Completely anonymous. We’ll come get both you and your car and get both of you home safely” says Williams.

Last Memorial Day weekend, Florida saw more than 3 thousand crashes that  injured 1300 people and killed 28.

Last Memorial Day Weekend the Florida Highway Patrol made 91 DUI arrests, cited 1868 people for not wearing their seat belt, 20,692 got a ticket for speeding or other offense.

Florida has been lucky since 2005 when it comes to avoiding hurricanes, but every year could be *the* year the state gets hit again. As Matt Galka tells us, state officials are always at the ready.

Florida’s emergency operations center was a flurry of action Thursday. Two hurricanes had just walloped Florida.

Luckily it was only a drill. Hurricane season doesn’t start until June 1st, but with one named storm already in 2015, director Bryan Koon says Florida remains at the ready.

“The early season storms is no indicator that it’s going to be an above average or below average season, in fact some of the forecasts indicate that it might be a slightly less than average season, but the message to Floridians is that it doesn’t matter how many storms are in the Atlantic this year, it matters how many impact Florida and impact you,” he said.

It’s been 10 years since Florida was hit by a hurricane. But that doesn’t mean people should be complacent.

“Since the last time Florida had a hurricane, millions of new people have moved to the state, and on any given day we have millions of tourists, so we have lots of people in Florida who have never experienced a hurricane before,” Koon said.

If Florida gets hit with its first hurricane in a decade, it will be the first year that lawmakers, who may not have a concealed carry permit, to travel with their gun if they’re forced from their homes.

Lawmakers say they wanted to make sure Floridians weren’t being thrown in jail by just protecting their property.

“If you put it just underneath your seat, or if you put It inside your door, that could be considered carrying a concealed weapon with you, that could be considered a third degree felony,” said bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) in March.
The Governor signed the bill into law on Thursday.

Florida officials encourage everyone in the state to “Get a Plan.” Go to F-L Get A Plan dot com for information on how you can get your own disaster kit ready.

The hopes of thousands of parents of children with learning disabilities were dashed when state lawmakers went home early. The kids were promised brighter futures by top lawmakers, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us Governor Rick Scott may be rekindling some of that hope.

Senate President Andy Gardiner is the father of an 11 year old autistic child. Parents in the Developmentally Disabled community see him as a savior. He pushed two bills..opening job opportunities and the possibility of college for their kids. Gardiner was visibly unhappy when the legislation died during last months legislative meltdown.

“And sadly, some of the stuff for individuals with unique abilities that were finally going to have their opportunity to be promoted., those bills are dead” Gardiner said in a gaggle after the House went home.

Then, out of the blue, Governor Rick Scott showed up at a school for the uniquely abled on Wednesday, making a quick tour and presenting teachers with medals.

“Thanks for all your hard work” Scott told one teacher.

“You’re Welcome” she responded.

Scott’s been critical of the Senate and Senate President over their efforts to expand health care. We asked if his presence was sending Gardiner a message

“It’s very important to fund the K-12 education that helps students like this.”

Q:”And an olive branch for the Senate President?”

“Well, You know, my goal is to continue to work with the House and Senate to make sure we have a budget for all our families. That includes education funding and tax cuts.”

There was a bit of irony in the visit. Governor Rick Scott has been a staunch opponent of expanding Medicaid…yet most of the students enrolled in this school are also enrolled in Medicaid.

Perhaps the visit was just a coincidence..the disabled legislation is not part of the special session….but like everything else in the Capitol….things change in the blink of an eye.

While Scott still opposes a Medicaid expansion, he is taking credit for streamlining the program, cutting costs and saving taxpayers money.

Governor Rick Scotts Lets Get to Work Committee has raised more than two million dollars since last years election. The fundraising continues. Scott was asked why.

“I think its important to continue to talk about what’s important to our state. You know, education funding tax cuts, to continue to grow jobs and bring companies here, so that’s what this will do” says Scott.

Scott used several hundred thousand dollars to promote his tax cut plan in TV spots that aired during the legislative session. He is the first Governor in recent memory to continue to collect cash with no campaign on the horizon.

Governor Rick Scott has hinted that he is considering a run for the US Senate in 2018 or perhaps a Presidential run in 2020. In tallahassee today, Scott was asked about his future political plans, and responded like most political figures thinking about a higher office.

“I got three years and seven or eight months to go with this. I continue to do this job the best I can. And, um, I’ll worry about that along the way” Scott responded.

Scott raised the specter of a Presidential run on FOX news when he was in Washington DC last week.

Viral videos of people disrespecting the American flag have caused one patriotic Floridian to take action. Matt Galka tells us about the Panhandle woman launching her stars and stripes campaign in the run up to Memorial Day.

This video from Valdosta State University, a Georgia school about 20 miles north of the state line, showed the arrest of a veteran trying to stop a protest.  The veteran was outraged after she saw people trampling the flag.  She wasn’t alone.

Dawn Veit – who’s family has deep roots in the armed forces – was disgusted and now she’s taking action.  The Chipley, Florida woman launched the “Flag of Freedom’s Nation” project where she has simply gone to local businesses and groups and asked them to take pictures showing their patriotism.

“The American flag has become a political sign, and that’s not what it’s supposed to be. It represents all of us and our country and more and more over the last few years it’s become a way to show your political views and I think that’s what bothers me most about it,” said Veit.

Veterans around the state were equally as outraged about the viral videos and they’re hoping people remember the true meaning of this weekend’s Memorial Day holiday,

Vietnam Veteran Joe West, who runs a veteran’s events organization in the capital city, says people who trample the flag aren’t just walking on a piece of cloth.

“That same flag that they’re walking on is the same flag we drape over our warriors who give their life to protect those freedoms. The disrespect that that shows all of the men and women who serve this country is intolerable,” said West.

Veit says that anyone can get involved in the project, all they have to do is snap their own photo with the flag and post it to social media.

Veit’s campaign was featured nationally on cable news Wednesday morning, and Florida’s legislature passed a patriotic themed bill of its own this year.  State lawmakers passed a bill mandating state and local government flags be made in America.

State agencies are raising a myriad of things government would not be able to do if July first comes and goes without a new state budget. As Mike Vasilinda tells us the list of what state government would stop doing is 65 pages long.

The Department of Revenue says child support payments would stop because no 0one would be on duty to process them.

The national Guard would stop training. Fishing licenses couldn’t be sold, and nuisance bears would be left roaming.

The scenarios are all contained in 65 pages submitted to the Governor detailing what state agencies would and would not due if lawmakers don’t pass a budget by July first.

The Department of Law enforcement says it would no longer be able to run background checks on potential gun buyers.

But here’s the catch. Under state law, if the gun buyer doesn’t get an answer from FDLE in three days they get the gun. Pawn shop owner Mark Folmar is comfortable felons would get caught in the end.

“And I’m sure once everything gets going again, we’d have to turn in all the paperwork on people who did buy guns. and the government would check, if there were felons who bought them, I’m sure they’d go pick them up” says the pawn dealer.

And forget about buying a lottery ticket. 9 thousand retailers would be out 6 million a week they earn on commissions. James Miller of the Florida Retail Federation

Says his members will lose even more. “So when you don’t have people wanting to go in and buy lottery tickets, and while they are there, they also get food, snacks, beer, gas, whatever it might be, you’re also losing these extra purchases they would make.”

The child abuse hot line would continue taking calls and investigating reports of abuse. Unemployment benefits would continue to flow. But the Agency for People with disabilities says it would have to kick out more than 600 people from state care.

Highway construction projects would also stop in their tacks.

But here’s something motorists might like: The state would stop collecting tolls.

Lawmakers begin a special session on June first that will last at least 20 days. The have been feuding over Medicaid expansion, which ironically, could stop paying current providers if no budget deal is reached.