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Providing educational and work opportunities for children with developmental disabilities and a major water protection bill are the top priorities that got lost last year when lawmakers couldn’t agree on anything, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, both are on track as lawmakers vow to bury the hatchett.

Senate President Andy Gardiner’s son Andrew has Downs Syndrome. Gardiner says he and others are

“uniquely abled”.

For more than two years, Gardiner has championed giving the uniquely abled a chance. The wants them to have a shot at a college education and the hope of a job.  But the hopes of thousands of families were dashed last spring when lawmakers couldn’t agree on anything.

Last spring, lawmakers were accused of being as dysfunctional as a do nothing congress in Washington, But here the second day of the new session, that appears to be changing.

Senators passed legislation guaranteeing ten thousand dollar a year scholarships for the uniquely abled Sen. Don gaetz (R-Niceville) says its created college opportunities.

“This scholarship is used to meet the needs of a child. That could mean clinical therapies, access to speciality school classes.”

Because of his advocacy, Senators tried to name the scholarships after Gardiner.

“Thank you, but I will tell you no thank you” responded the presiding officer.

He balked, saying it would violate a deal with the house.

But then a call came.

“Speaker called and said he would take the amendment” a tearful and visibly shaken Gardiner told his colleagues.

Afterwards, Gardiner said he couldn’t put into words the emotions he was feeling, but he made it clear he had a new partnership with the House Speaker.

“I think what you see is a real trust between the Speaker and I, going into this session that we want to help each other.”

And the effort proves that cooperation is in the air, even if it only lasts the first week of this nine week legislative session.

As part of the peacemaking lawmakers also passed a landmark water bill, a priority of the House Speaker and one that has been called transformational, and they agreed to a House priority to spend 14 million dollars on a school uniform program.

A $1.5 billion dollar jackpot is up for grabs in tonight’s Powerball drawing, and as Matt Galka tells us, average Joe’s aren’t the only people watching the numbers.

While Powerball players await to see if their numbers are called Wednesday night for a record breaking jackpot, Florida lawmakers had lotto on their minds, too.

Representative Frank Artiles (R-Miami) bill passed its first committee. His proposal would cap the prices of scratch of tickets at $5 bucks. Games currently go up to $25 dollars. He says they take advantage of poor residents.

“Whether it’s today, the $1.5 billion dollar powerball, or next week…this is the first time in a long time that something is being done to reign in the Florida lottery,” he said.

Artiles says he’s not playing the Powerball.  Other State Reps will be watching the numbers.

“My wife already bought a ticket,” said Rep. Joe Geller (D-Dania Beach).

So what could you do if you win? Well you could build a new florida state capital. It only cost $45 million to build back in the 70’s.

Florida Lotto Secretary Tom Delcensarie says his building, the building where the jackpot drawing will take place, is buzzing.

“It makes it fun, we were selling on Saturday, we were actually selling 1500 dollars a second in just powerball between the hours of six and seven,” he said.

And the guy everyone will have their eyes on Wednesday night, Powerball Host Sam Arlen, says he’s feeding off the game’s momentum.

“No pressure, right? It’s amazing, I hope we get a winner tonight, I hope we get several winners,” he said.

Just don’t mess up the numbers, Sam. It could be a billion dollar mistake.

If you’re still looking to play and beat the 292 million to one odds, you have until 10 p.m. eastern to buy a ticket. Powerball costs $2 bucks a play.

Governor Rick Scott laid out his agenda for lawmakers in his sixth state of the state address at the State Capitol today, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, Scott continued his near singular focus on jobs.

Governor Governor Rick Scott told lawmakers the state of the state is: Growing

It was his sixth address to lawmakers. He says the state is growing because he and lawmakers cut taxes and regulations. He asked more of the same.

“With record state revenues, we have the opportunity to diversify our economy and help our small businesses grow by cutting taxes by one billion dollars” Scott told lawmakers,

But the biggest applause of the day came when he mentioned the global terrorism fight.

“Our next President must make it their mission to eliminate the threat of ISIS to the United States of America” Scott ventured.

What the Governor didn’t mention was the Seminole Compact, which could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for his tax cuts.

The omission puzzled some fin his own party, including Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton)

“I don’t think he is counting one against the other necessarily. From our perspective  we have to look at the tax cuts anew and determine where a decent number is” Galvano said afterward.

The Senate’s Democratic leader. Sen. Arthenia Jopyner, (D-Tampa) says that while she supports job growth, she says the Governor has placed too much attention on creating low paying jobs “these low paying jobs which is the majority of them he has created does not bode well for people at the bottom. It rally doesn’t” says Joyner.

Scott’s speech sets the agenda for this session that ends in March. But he can’t control what lawmakers do between now and then.

The Governor is spending more than a million dollars from his political action committee on TV spots supporting the tax cuts he wants. He also plans a statewide bus tour to make his case for cutting taxes directly to the states business leadership.

Several dozen immigrants  identifying with a group called “We are Florida” chanted at the state Capitol today during the Governor’s State of the State speech to protest at least three bills filed to crack down on those in the state illegally. One calls for the arrest of anyone who has been ordered deported who remain in the state.Another would remove lawsuit protections, known as sovereign immunity, for so called sanctuary cities that protect those here illegally, and a third would recalculate how welfare benefits are determined if there is an illegal immigrant in the household. Gaby Garcia-Bera

is the spokesperson for We Are Florida.

“This year we’re out here because we know that there is an onslaught of bills  targeting our communities, and we want our legislators to know Flordia is full of families, full of communities of hard working people, and we denounce the idea that Florida is the type of place that condones deporting and breaking apart families” said Garcia-Bera

At least five bills have been introduced that could impact the immigrant community. The plans to spend a lot of time in the Capitol this session making their presence known.

As lawmakers began their 60 day annual session today, the state senate convened in a chamber with a seal that no longer contained the confederate flag. State Sen. Arthenia Joyner asked the flag be removed and the Senate voted over the summer to change their emblem. today she was pleased.
“And I’m wearing the new senate seal on my lapel, minus the confederate flag because that represents a period in history that is painful, racist, and derogatory to black people in America” said Joyner.

“So, you’re glad it’s not in front of the Senate any longer?”

“Absolutely, that’s why I pursued it” she responded

This coming weekend, a group of Confederate loyalists plan to protest the removal of the seal on the steps of the Capitol.

Mayors from Jacksonville, tampa, Orlando, Ft. Myers, Apalachicola, and Pensacola were singled out by Governor Rick Scott during his State of the State Speech to kick off the annual legislative session. Scott is seeking a revamping of the state fund that is used to lure new businesses, and each of the six mayors has endorsed his idea.

“The creation of this new, two hundred and fifty million dollars trust fund will help us diversify Florida’s economy. Support our small businesses, and become the number one place in the world for families to come and get a good paying job” said Scott.

How much the state spends on economic development has been a point of a contention between Scott and lawmakers for at least two years because much of the money has gone unspent while Scott keeps asking for more.

The way the death penalty is decided in Florida is changing after a landmark Supreme Court decision. As Matt Galka tells us, lawmakers will most likely scramble to react.

Judges and not juries decide whether or not criminals are sentenced to death in Florida.  But the United States Supreme Court ruled the system unconstitutional Tuesday.

The ruling came down just as lawmakers settled in to start the 2016 legislative session. Juries don’t need to be unanimous in recommending a death penalty to a judge and the judge has the final say. Senator Thad Altman sponsored legislation to change that before the ruling came down.

“That process is going to remedy better justice and it’s going to prevent mistakes of the past.”

The ruling stems from the case of Timothy Lee Hurst – a Pensacola popeye’s employee convicted of killing his manager. A jury recommended 7 to 5 in favor of the death penalty and a judge imposed the sentence

The Attorney General’s office said it’s still early and thye’re reviewing the ruling

Attorney General Pam Bondi said it’s possible the ruling means legislation is needed.

“Perhaps. We are still digesting the opinion, of course it just came down moments ago…we’ve been working on it to see what’s needed for a fix,” said Bondi.

State Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar) says if the state wants to keep the death penalty the legislature will need to make changes.

“The timing is right for us to make that necessary adjustment and modernize our death penalty system so we can continue to have capital punishment in the state of Florida,” said Rep. Gaetz.

Michael Sheedy with the Florida Catholic Conference suggested it could be the end of capital punishment in Florida.

“Criminals that commit terrible crimes can be punished very severely without resorting to execution,” he said.

Nearly 400 prisoners sit on Florida’s Death row. The ruling does leave the door open for some appeals, but many of the prisoners on death row have already seen their appeal time expire or were put away based on indisputable aggravating circumstances.

Legislation allowing a dog to get it’s day in court after biting someone is moving through the state Capitol tonight.  As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the legislation was inspired by a four year old Lab mix that bit a child after the dog retreated and was followed by the child.

Meet Padi, a four year old Lab Retriever Mix. PADI made national news when it was spared by a circuit judge after biting a visiting child who pursued the dog into a corner.  State law automatically requires a dog who does sever damage to someone to be put down. State Senator Bill Montford says a number of dog owners came to him asking for help.

“This gives an opportunity for the owner to appeal and say, let’s look, let’s really look at the details here, the circumstances and let’s make the right decision.”

PADI was spared when a judge ruled the law unconstitutional. But the law’s sill in effect in most of the state.

Under the current law, a dog biting someone is automatically considered in the wrong. This legislation changes that.

Animals rights activist and lobbyist Jack Cory says is he feels threatened and shoots someone, he’s protected by stand your ground.

“However, if my dog is with me and he feels threatened, or things I’m threatened and he attacks you, then the dog is deemed to be a dangerous dog and in most cases can be killed.”

The statewide organization representing City and County shelter operators supports the legislation,k in part because policies on what to do with a dog which has bitten someone vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Diana Ferguson represents the FL. Animal Control Assn.

“From our perspective, it’s important to have the clarity and I think it’s important for the animal owners, you know, peach of mind as well.”

The legislation has cleared three committees without a single no vote.

Padi is owned by a vet. The child was visiting the office and pursued the dog under a desk after taking it’s toys. Padi severed the child’s ear lobe.

A coalition of public interest groups which had backed an amendment for this fall’s ballot now says they will fall short of the required number of signatures because big utility company’s sabotaged their effort at every step. The utilities mounted a similar petition gathering effort and drove up the price from as little as a dollar a signature to six dollars. Steven Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy says the utilities also misrepresented for which amendment they were gathering signatures.

“They were carrying both. they were being paid more, so part of their game was to driver the cost up on each signature. So we started at one price, and overtime we moved up to try and stay competitive, they would double what we did.”

The consumer groups say they are now aiming for the 2018 ballot, but hope some progress will be made this legislative session to open the solar market and give utilities more competition.

Have you gotten a medical procedure recently only to be floored by the bill that arrives in the mail after the fact? As Matt Galka tells us, this is all too common for Floridians, and lawmakers want it to change.

Last year, Medicaid expansion and providing coverage for the uninsured derailed Florida’s legislative session. Opposing lawmakers said there were better ways to provide affordable healthcare

Senator Rob Bradley and Representative Chris Sprowls introduced one of those options Monday.  Their bills would require hospitals to publish their procedure prices online.  Bradley says too many of his constitutents have suffered sticker shock.

“What this bill is about is information, a consumer, wherever they live in Florida, needs to have real information about price and quality. And obviously price and quality is not uniform throughout the state,” said Sen. Bradley (R-Fleming Island).

Senate President Andy Garidner says the proposals don’t tackle the main issue: coverage for the uninsured

“At the end of the day it’s about the uninsured and letting them have access, and so we’re involved in all of them, we’re not just going to say no, but we also believe especially on transparency, it should be across the board,” he said.

The Governor says he isn’t quite ready to back the bills because they don’t go far enough. Governor Rick Scott says Floridians need pricing transparency, but he says hospitals should be punished for price gouging.

“Hospitals are charging more than they should charge for a service. That’s not right, there should be required transparency so you can make a good decision on your own, but if you’re price gouged there should be tough penalties,” said Scott.

The bill sponsor’s said making price gouging a crime isn’t something they’re focused on.

The Florida Hospital Association says they support price transparency and would like to reach “common ground” with lawmakers. Here’s there full statement:

“Florida hospitals support price transparency and are committed to helping patients understand the cost of their care. We stand ready to work with lawmakers in the House and Senate to find the best approach to give patients meaningful information about the cost and quality of their health care. We believe there’s room to find common ground on the proposed legislation. And, this week, we’re launching a new section on missiontocare.org to display hospital price and quality data in a publicly available, easier-to-use format.”

If you haven’t bought your Powerball ticket yet…what are you waiting for?! The jackpot is at an all time high, expected to be more than $800 million dollars. As Matt Galka tells us, the historic drawing will be held in Florida’s capital city and he takes us inside.

The machines are under lock and key at the Florida lottery headquarters in Tallahassee, but come Saturday night they will be rattling, and millions of people around the country hoping their numbers come up during the historic Powerball jackpot drawing.

Florida lottery secretary Tom Delescenserie says lotto fever adds up to a win for the state education system.

“Just since this roll in November, we have transferred 40 million dollars to education, just on this Powerball jackpot,” he said.

And let’s say you do win. What’s next? Certified Public accountant Steve Cutright says money management is key.

“You’ll have every Uncle Joe twice removed coming out of the woodwork and thinking you’re a bank, so you have to surround yourself with a good team,” he said.

Players have until 10 pm eastern Saturday night t buy their tickets. They cost $2 bucks a play.

If there is no jackpot winner after Saturday night the grand prize will roll over again, meaning the next jackpot is expected be more than one billion dollars…there’s even an outside shot it gets to that point before Saturday night’s drawing.

Governor Rick Scott has proposed a billion dollars in tax cuts, primarily for business. Lawmakers have already expressed some doubts, so as Mike Vasilinda tells us, Scott is about to wage a grass roots campaign to convince lawmakers.

Rick Scott is spending a million dollars on TV to convince lawmakers to cut taxes by a billion.

Nat sot of commercial

“I own a mortgage business. A technology firm. Manufacturing. My first business was a donut shop.”

It’s an unusual step for a sitting Governor.

Sot Brecht Heuchan

Lets Get to Work Spokesman

Q:”why do it? He has a big bully pulpit.”

A:”Sure he does, but its also important for him to make sure, A bully pulp on goes so far.”

Mike Vasilinda Standup

“Scott used the same tactic last year when he wanted 670 million in cuts. He got just over 400 million.”

If the same ratio applies this year, and that’s a big question, Scott would see cuts of about 600 million. But Karen Woodall of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy says Florida can’t afford that big a giveaway.

Sot: Karen Woodall

Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy

“You see that just about every institution that the state is responsible for is failing and people’s lives are at risk. We’ve got corrections, we’ve got mental health institutions. We have child welfare.”

Scott’s approval ratings have never hit 50%. Insiders speculate the TV campaign is just the forerunner of a run for the US Senate in 2018.

Sot: Sot Brecht Heuchan

Lets Get to Work Spokesman

Q:”Of course, cynics would say he’s planning to run for something.”

A: “Yes, I know. I’ve heard that. But he’s happy being Governor and he’s got at least three more years of doing this job and he’s laser focused on doing that job and laser focused on bringing more jobs to Florida.”

But campaign or not, Scott has never been the consulate political insider who can shake hands and backslap to get his way…so a grassroots effort may be his best chance of success.

One of the political problems for the tax cut package is that many of the cuts sought by the governor reduce revenue year after year, rattan than relying on a surplus for a one time cut like a tax free holiday.

Late Thursday, the state of Florida executed Oscar Ray Bolin, 53. Bolin had been found guilty of murdering three women in the Tampa Bay area nearly 30 years ago. Today, about a dozen anti death penalty activists met at the state Capitol for a prayer vigil for Bolin and his victims. Protestor Walter Moore says the vigil was about more than Bolin.

“It’s a service of remembrance for the victims of the crime that has taken place, as well as for the perpetrator.  And for their families, and for that matter, for all those who participate.”

While the activists say their numbers were small, they say opposition to the death penalty continues to grow, especially when life in prison without parole is a possibility.

Florida lawmakers begin their annual session Tuesday and signing a new gambling deal negotiated between the Seminole Tribe and Governor Rick Scott is high on the agenda. And as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the Tribe’s supporters have a new poll out today suggesting Floridians approve of the deal.

Governor Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe inked the new compact in December. It gives the state 3 billion over seven years, triple what it gets now.

Nat sot: “This is an historic day”.

In exchange, the tribe gets more slots, more card tables and roulette and craps.  Lawmakers must still approve.Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen says the deal if good for everyone.

“The compact will save thirty-five hundred jobs, people that are working today. Ah, It will create another four thousand permanent jobs.”

A poll by the Florida Chamber says 70 percent believe the blackjack deal with the tribe has been good for the state. Chamber VP Dave Hart says the group has been a supporter of signing a new deal for more than a year.

“And we’ve also believed that a compact and a renewed compact was the most significant way to contain the expansion of gambling.”

Tucked deep inside the compact is a provision that could end live racing at horse and dog tracks.”

Florida horse and dog breeders are already trying to kill the so called decoupling language, arguing it would result in expanded gambling. Jack Cory represents the Florida Greyhound Assn.

“Now you’re going to be running off-track betting parlors, you’re gonna be running card rooms, and  obviously, everybody is going to want to expand to slot machines.”

No Casino’s says the poll is misleading because it allows expanded gambling in Florida.  The Tribe disputes that.

“That’s actually not accurate. There is no more locations.. In fact, the compact is very specific that there can’t beans expansion of locations” says Jim Allen.

Which proves that the definition of expanded gambling is in the eyes of the beholder and now in the hands of the legislature.

There’s no guarantee lawmakers will approve a new compact, which is why both the state and Seminole Tribe are keeping federal lawsuits alive aimed at either keeping the games going or shutting them down.

College students around the state returned to their dorms at FSU this week, and some of them found a nasty surprise. Matt Galka spoke with students about the mold that was waiting for them when they got back to campus.

It was on the floors, tables, even her shoes. Florida State University freshman Stefanie Prieto says mold was everywhere in her dorm room in Smith Hall when she returned from winter break.

“I came back on Sunday night, and the moment I walked in it just smelled disgusting and there was like mold all over the floors, all over the furniture, all over my items,” she said.

Her room wasn’t the only one with a mold problem.  Pictures were shared on social media showing mold on pillow cases and walls in other rooms.

“The air quality definitely makes people cough, I know when I moved in over the fall, I got bronchitis because of the air quality, and I know people are still getting sick now after they moved in from winter break,” said Prieto.

Fellow freshman Nicholas Conrad said he didn’t feel healthy living in the dorm.

“Yea, I’m just uncomfortable but there’s not much I can really do,” he said.

Florida State’s University Housing Department said that despite the mold the building was still deemed livable. Director Shannon Staten said that about 50 rooms were effected and that their health and safety department discovered the mold just before students came back.

“We started immediately with staff and cleaned the rooms we found, and made sure we were getting in there and trying to get it cleared up,” she said.

Staten blamed the problem on muggy and wet weather in Tallahassee over Christmas break, and the doors and windows staying closed in the old building.

The University Housing department has a policy for students that want to move out, but it’s only allowed if a medical doctor determines the building is making the student sick.