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The head of the state Republican Party says the governor will find a suitable replacement for former US Senator Mel Martinez, but wouldn’t weigh in with his choice.

Party Chairman Jim Greer recognizes that the Republican brand is tarnished which only adds to the urgency of the appointment. Democrats are out pacing Republicans in fundraising and voter registration. Greer said that’s why his party is getting a jump on the 2010 election.

“We are getting geared up, we are starting earlier. I would say much earlier than normally the party would start in a normal election cycle. I believe we are going to need to do that to make sure we get registrations up, get our message out, that we are defining the Democrats before the Democrats attempt to define us,” said Greer.

Crist says he’s considering seven people for the US Senate seat. He hopes to make an appointment before the Senate goes back in session next month.

Health Care

The head of the state Republican Party says congress is rushing health care reform. In the mist of heated town hall debates on the issue, Party Chairman Jim Greer said congress needs to slow down so the public can catch up on the issues. Greer said he would rather congress take two years and get it right rather than doing something quickly and making mistakes.

“If we don’t know all the information and all the potential benefits and all the potential consequences on a major policy issue like this then stop and make sure everyone who has a stake in the issue has a seat at the table,” said Greer.

Waiting could benefit the GOP. In 2010 Republicans could have an opportunity to take back the congress.

Taxpayer Funded Abortions

Scare tactics over death panels and whether a national health care plan should pay for abortions have been questions clouding the health care debate. State GOP Chairman Jim Greer says most people would oppose taxpayer funded abortions, an idea that opponents of the heath care bill say has made its way into the legislation. Greer says neither pro-life nor pro-choice supporters want the government handing out money for abortions.

“I think most people, whether you support it, don’t support it say lets not get taxpayer funding involved in this issue,” said Greer.

The section of the bill some believe lays-out the ground work for taxpayer funded and possible forced abortions deals with home doctor visits for pregnant women. The legation says nothing about abortions.

A government watchdog group says the state needs to be more frugal.

Florida TaxWatch is hosting a series of meeting with business leaders to gather money saving ideas for the state. TaxWatch says reforming the prison system, collecting taxes already owed from online purchases, switching to online textbooks, and reducing fraud and abuse in Medicaid could help the state save billions of dollars and avoid cuts to vital services. TaxWatch Spokesman Rob Weissert says almost every area of government can do something to save more.

“We talked about different ways to do things that we are already doing. When we talked about maximizing revenue collections, that’s internet sales. When we talk about ways to provide education, health care, and all the things the state has to provide in more efficient ways, not only to make it more effective, because that is inherently more cost efficient, but also more efficient. To save money by doing things better,” said Weissert.

TaxWatch says ideas generated in the Government Cost Savings Task Force meetings will end up in legislation in the 2010 session. The Florida Speaker of the House, the Senate President, The Attorney General and the Chief Financial Officer are participating in the meetings.

After several failed attempts to stop black jack and other Vegas-style games at Seminole casinos, Attorney General Bill McCollum is continuing to call on the Federal government for help. Right now the governor is working behind closed doors with the tribe to reach an agreement that would allow the games in Seminole casinos. McCollum says without the agreement the tribe is breaking the law.

“I certainly have an opinion about legality of the situation. I very strongly feel that the gaming that is going on is illegal. There is no compact so it is illegal, but I can’t enforce that law,” said McCollum.

McCollum wants lawmakers and cabinet members join him in asking the US Attorney’s offices to stop the games. Since the Seminole tribe is a sovereign nation it’s up to the federal government to handle the situation. So far the feds have shown little interest in stopping the games.

A new weekly report shows 7 more Floridians died in the last week from Swine Flu, bringing the total deaths to 48. With school starting in less than 2 weeks, Mike Vasilinda tells us state health officials are planning a two-day blitz of the state to caution parents.

About one in every 10 of the 436 swine flu deaths in the United States have occurred in Florida.  The state’s Surgeon General says the number is not overly-alarming.

“The majority of the individuals have had other health conditions, absolutely,” Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros said.

The state’s top doctor met behind closed doors with the Governor, then the two announced a statewide blitz beginning Thursday, urging parents to be cautious.

“We just want to remind our fellow Floridians and parents to be mindful, to utilize common sense,” Governor Crist said.

“Making sure that individuals, especially if they’re sick, stay home,” Viamonte Ros said. “If their children are sick, stay home until they’re better before going back to school.”

Local health officials have been working with schools like this one across the state to establish a site for mass vaccinations if such a vaccination should become necessary.

The first batches of vaccine are expected to begin arriving in state in October. Heath officials have been busy identifying high risk populations.

“It’s mostly children between the ages of 6 months and 19 years of age, individuals above that age with chronic illnesses,” Viamonte Ros said.

In addition to H1N1 or swine flu vaccinations, at risk Floridians are also being urged to get seasonal flu shots.

State Colleges are also gearing up for the return of students and will begin education campaigns when classes begin.

For the first time in 33 years, the state cabinet approved plans to build a nuclear power plant. The plant would be built in Levy County, but as Whitney Ray tells us, opponents of the project say the whole state will pay a price in the nuclear plant comes to fruition.

They came concerned about their health.

“Don’t poison us. Don’t poison Florida. Don’t nuke this state,” said Russell McSpadden, a concerned citizen.

the environment,

“I am very concerned about the wetland impact,” said Lake Worth City Commissioner Cara Jennings

And their pocketbooks,

“You’re primary responsibility is not to protect the profits of private utility enterprises,” said green party member Michael King.

But their concerns didn’t sway a single vote. The Governor and state cabinet approved plans to build the first nuclear power plant in Florida since 1976. Progress Energy will own the plant. Its president says the new plant will help Florida skirt a future energy shortage and reduce coal use.

“This will help decrease our dependence on fossil fuel and it will reduce our carbon intensity, our greenhouse gas intensity over time,” said Progress Energy President Jeff Lyash.

The new nuclear plant is expected to generate more electricity that two coal plants in that area and once it’s up and running Progress Energy plans to shut the coal plants down. Governor Charlie Crist said nuclear is just part of the answer to solving the state’s energy problems.

“I think we need a broad array of diversity in our energy production in Florida that should include solar, wind, nuclear, wave energy generation, all of the above,” said Crist.

About a dozen protestors fed-up with the cabinet’s decision stood in front of capitol carrying signs, promising to stop the plant at all costs. The plant still needs approval from the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The commission is expected to have a decision by 2011. If approved, Progress Energy says the nuclear plant will begin operations in 2019.

More than 40 Floridians have died from swine flu since the first case was confirmed May 1st.

Florida has 3,320 confirmed cases. Health experts worry the virus will spread more rapidly once school starts. Governor Charlie Crist is asking parents to get their kids prepared because the first day of school is just around the corner.

“I think it is important to remind our fellow Floridians that there is an awful lot of cases now of swine flu in the sunshine state. It’s important that if you think your child is sick, they are showing symptoms, keep them at home. Be attentive and as we are entering the school year we are doing everything we can in terms of precaution to keep swine flu down,” said Crist.

The state is still working out the details of its swine flu vaccination plan. The vaccine is expected to be ready in large quantity by October.

Governor Charlie Crist is keeping his lips sealed about who he might appoint to replace Mel Martinez in the US Senate.

Martinez resigned Friday giving Crist the power to select a replacement. Crist is running to take the seat in 2010, but says he’s not interested in the current opening. Crist said he’s taking his time to find a good representative for Florida.

“We are reviewing an appropriate process for that. It is an important decision. It’s one I take very seriously. I want to make sure it is transparent, and of course it will be, and people who will be interviewed are of great quality and integrity and care about the people of Florida,” said Crist.

Crist says he will begin the interviewing process soon.

A US Congressman is calling out Governor Charlie Crist for being slow to spend stimulus dollars on highway projects.

According to Congressman James Oberstar, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Florida ranks dead last in stimulus spending on highways. Crist said Florida is not in last place and says the state is just being deliberate in its spending.

“We have a very thorough process as it relates to new projects and bidding and things of this nature in Florida, which I am very proud of. It ensures the integrity of how those dollars are spent which is incredible important to me and the people of Florida,” said Crist.

Florida has 1.3 billion dollars to dole out for road projects, but according to Congress just two percent of the money has been spent on projects currently under construction.

When Florida college students return to campus in two weeks, they will find their Bright Futures scholarships don’t buy as much as they used to. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, after years of trying, penny-pinching legislators finally succeeded in limiting how much high school graduates will receive from Bright Futures.

Last year, 159 thousand Florida students got a total or partial free ride on Bright Futures, costing taxpayers about 380 million dollars.

Bright Futures scholarships were created in 1997 as a way to prove that lottery money was actually helping schools. This is what high school students were saying at the time.

“I feel cheated.”

The first year provided college for 40 thousand students, costing 79 million dollars.

By 2003 growing costs had lawmakers looking for a way to limit the scholarships.Then Senator Ken Pruitt, one of the original sponsors, drove a school bus across the state to shore up support.

“The state has got to keep its commitment,” Pruitt said.

But now Pruitt is gone, and Bright Futures is changing. The scholarships will no longer cover up to 100 percent of tuition, but will provide a fixed amount. That worries Skye Demoya of Tampa.

“I had to take out a loan, so that means I’m going to graduate with more debt,” Demoya said. “Which is not good.”

The change is forcing music major Tom Kahre to work part time.

“I was not planning on doing that before but now it looks like I’m going to have to do that to cover some of those extra costs,” Kahre said.

Gone this year is a stipend for books. Last year it was worth just under $200.

Students who drop classes after they start will also be forced for the first time to pay the state back.

Last year, 159 thousand Florida students got a total or partial free ride on Bright Futures, costing taxpayers about 380 million dollars.

The state is processing 50,000 requests for conceal carry gun licenses, with thousands more pouring in every month. Floridians are stocking up on guns and as Whitney Ray tells us the state may need to change deadline restrictions to keep up with all the paper work.

Applications for conceal-carry licenses are up 67 percent over a year ago. The state has 90 days to process the requests. Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson says his staff can’t keep up.

“That law was put into place when we had a normally 14,000 a year application rate. Now we’ve got 14,000 a month,” said Bronson.

The state is on pace to issue 150,000 permits by the end of the year. 50,000 are pending right now. Only two percent of applicants are denied.

“We are giving them the licenses as we get to them and that is all we can do,” said Bronson.

The flood of applications coincides with a surge in gun sales. Floridians began loading up once President Barack Obama won the election, fearing the new leader would push tougher restrictions. Pawn Shop Owner Mark Folmar says the economy has also played a role.

“A lot of people are looking at the economic times that we have and feeling like there might be more crime, that there might be more need for self protection,” said Folmar.

People aren’t just loading up on guns. Ammo is also selling out. The Department of Agriculture says more legally concealed guns doesn’t mean more crime. Just 1/10th of one percent with permits have committed a crime with their weapon.

State economists say the new tobacco tax has thrown off their revenue estimates.

The state cigarette tax went up a dollar July 1st, but fearing news of the increase would create a surge in sales, stores stocked up. The panic has helped generate 110 million dollars in floor taxes. State economists expected to bring in just 38 million. Amy Baker, the Director of the Florida Department of Economic and Demographic Research, said the surge was unpredictable.

“A piece of that floor charge that was higher than we thought came from just business type of changes from the retailers and wholesalers, a piece of it could also be related to individuals buying more to stock up on their own before the new surcharge went into effect, so we believe there is a component of both,” said Baker.

The tobacco tax increase was originally expected to generate a billion dollars in new revenue, but economists continue to tweak the estimates.

The Cash for Clunkers program is stimulating the economy and improving the environment, but it’s also ridding the roads of dangerous vehicles. As Whitney Ray tells us, some of the trade-ins aren’t fit for the freeway.

These SUVs, mini-vans, and trucks are all headed the gas guzzler graveyard. The Cash for Clunker program is getting fuel sucking vehicles off the road. Many not a moment too soon, says car salesman Mickey Atkinson. The sliding side door on this Mazda mini-van doesn’t open.

“There would be no exit from this side if the car were upside down or leaning on the other side,” said Atkinson.

Cracked windshields, broken door handles, rust, and flat tires were just a few of the problems we found with the trade-ins.

“There are a lot that I don’t believe would have ever been still on the highway, if the inspection stations were still around. There are some very unsafe cars,” said Atkinson.

State inspections were eliminated in 1983. Bill Cloud inspected cars before the law was changed. Bill found dozen of problems with the clunkers.

“I’ve seen a lot of cars that were so unsafe that if people knew that car was headed at them down the highway they would have probably had a heart attack if they knew what kind of condition the car was in,” said Cloud.

But not all the trade-ins are in bad shape. This 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee is in good running order and the tires are nearly new, but it doesn’t matter. Whether junk or jewel all the cars are headed to the salvage yard. Making the air a little cleaner, and the roads a little safer. So far the Cash for Clunkers program has taken more than 220,000 gas guzzlers off the country’s roadways.

US Senator Mel Martinez resigned his seat today and Governor Charlie Crist, who was already running for Martinez’ seat in 2010, will have to appoint a replacement.

Crist could appoint himself, but of the nine governors who have gone that route since 1900 only one has won reelection. Reportedly Crist has already taken his name out of the mix. Karen Thurman, the Chairwoman of the Florida Democrats is taking the governor at his word.

“Until I see something different and if we are already hearing some names bounced around the chances are he is saying what he means,” said Thurman.

Reportedly Former US Senator Connie Mack and Former state House Speaker Allen Bense have taken their names out of the mix. Former State Senator and House Speaker Dan Webster is expressing interest in the job. Others speculate former Attorney General Jim Smith is a likely choice.

Crist’s Office Released this Statement:

“I have a great deal of respect for my good friend Mel Martinez. I know this decision was a difficult one for him, but I think he is doing what he believes is right for him and his family.”

“We will immediately begin the process of selecting an appropriate replacement to serve the remainder of Senator Martinez’s term and I look forward to making an announcement in the coming weeks.”

Some State Farm customers will see a 28 percent increase in their premiums.

The state has approved the insurer’s request to drop discounts for upgraded pluming, holding multiple policies and making minimal claims. State Farm was providing the discounts voluntarily. Mandatory discounts for people who strengthen their homes against storms will remain and the move will have no effect on the insurer’s plan to leave the state. Steve Patron, General Council for the Office of Insurance Regulation, said there’s still no solid pull out date for the company.

“This process can be a very lengthy process. You have a hearing at DOAH (Division of Administrative Hearings). There is something like 90 days after that for the party to file recommended orders then the ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) has a certain time limit when he or she issues a final order at that point either party can appeal to the First District Court of Appeals. That can take anywhere from six to 16 months, typically a year. So this process is a lengthy process given the circumstances,” said Patron.

OIR and State Farm will have a hearing before the Division of Administrative Hearings on October 12th to try and reach an agreement on an exit strategy for the insurer. State Farm plans to drop homeowner’s policies two years after its exit strategy is approved.

Statewide property values have fallen by 190 billion dollars. To put that in perspective there is still more than one and a half trillion dollars worth of taxable property in the state. As Whitney Ray tells us, the drop in value is creating a decline in the amount of property tax local governments collect, so many are seeking a millage increase.

Property values have plummeted around the state falling 10.4 percent statewide.
The Florida Association of Counties says the decline is leaving local governments with some tough choices.

“Our members are struggling to try and balance between service reductions and minimal tax adjustments,” said Chris Holley with the Florida Association of Counties.

If local governments raise taxes to make up the difference it will hurt homesteaders the hardest because they’re still paying tax on the same values as last year.

Most of the state’s 67 school districts are seeking an increase to make up an education funding gap left by the legislature. Governor Charlie Crist, who helped pass a property tax cutting amendment in 2008, says local governments should leave taxpayers alone.

“We ought to be lowering property taxes. I know that’s what the people want. It’s what they deserve, that’s why we passed amendment one, That’s why I signed the largest single tax cut in the history in Florida for that reason, so I would encourage local governments to live within their means too,” said Crist.

But living with in their means could mean cutting services, an option conservative blogger Tony O’Donnell has no problem with.

“If property values go down, then the tax you pay on that property should also go down. If services need to be cut then so be it,” said O’Donnell.

But fewer dollars for schools, police and other public services could cause outrage among many who depend on the government.