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Lawmakers will meet at six o’clock tonight in an effort to reach an agreement on the Seminole Gaming Compact. If the House and Senate can’t reach an agreement a special session could be called or as Whitney Ray tells us, the federal government could allow the tribe to expand gambling and Florida would miss out on millions.

State lawmakers are gambling with a compact that could expand gaming at Seminole Tribe Casinos. Half a billion dollars is on the line, and extended session ends Friday.

House leaders want to limit the gaming expansion… even suggesting the tribe should stop BlackJack at most of its casinos. The Senate plan is more liberal.

The Senate version would bring in millions more than the House plan. The differences between the two proposals was keeping legislative leaders from reaching a budget agreement

Money from the compact was supposed to be spent on schools in next year’s budget. Now lawmakers want to stick the money into savings.”

Removing the money from the budget talks signals the negotiations could drag on. House Gaming Chairman Bill Galvano said there are still a lot of details to work out.

“There’s a lot of meat left on this bone, but at least we are here this morning, we’re resuming talks and I remain optimistic,” said Galvano.

Senate Budget Chair JD Alexander is pushing to make the Friday deadline.

“I think this is something we need to come to terms with and come up with a policy,” said Alexander.

Governor Charlie Crist says if the legislature doesn’t act, the federal government will and Florida would get nothing.

Friday state lawmakers will vote on next year’s budget.

The budget proposal was printed and given to lawmakers today. Drivers, smokers, and college students are being tapped to fill the 3 billion dollar budget deficit. The proposal includes increased licensing fees, a tobacco tax, and a tuition hike. Stimulus dollars are being used to boost K–12 education funding. Mark Pudlow, a spokesman for the Florida Education Association says using stimulus dollars to fund schools is only a temporary fix.

“We are still a little bit behind the times and if we want a top flight education system so we can get the best businesses to come to Florida we are going to need to address this problem at some point in time,” said Pudlow.

Educators said lawmakers need to change the state’s tax structure and eliminate some sales tax exemptions to find a permanent source of education funding.

Voters will be asked whether or not first time home buyers deserve a property tax break.

Lawmakers approved a measure to put the tax reduction to a vote on the 2010 ballot. If approved first time homebuyers would receive a 25 percent discount on their property tax. A savings of a thousand dollars on a 200,000 dollar home. A Florida Home Builders Association Spokesman said the measure would help soak up the extra housing inventory and put builders back to work.

“Florida Lost about 175,000 construction jobs over the last two years and we think this property tax benefit could create a real stimulus out there as it allows first time home buyers maybe go access the American dream and step off the sidelines and into the home buying market that they haven’t been in before,” said Hart.

The proposed constitutional amendment would also cap assessment increases on businesses, rental properties and vacation homes at five percent a year.

Florida now has five confirmed cases of swine flu, with 17 still pending. The latest two cases are out of Lee and Pinellas counties. As Whitney Ray tells us, questions are pouring into the state call centers, set up to answer people’s questions about swine flu.

Phones are ringing off the hook at the state’s newly formed swine flu call center. More than 600 people a day are calling the hotline. Division of Emergency Management Spokesman Mike Stone said their operators are calming people’s fears.

“If people have a concern they can talk to an individual and a medical technician or provider to get very specific information,” said Stone.

The Information includes swine flu symptoms, what to do if you’re sick and even school closings. As a precautionary measure, schools in five counties have closed their doors. The state is working closely with schools officials in areas with possible cases.

“Obviously there is a big gamut. You can either screen children to make sure they are healthy or isolate them and ask them to go home if necessary to actual school closure,” said state Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros.

Governor Charlie Crist says Florida has been lucky so far.

“The good news is as far as we are aware none of those cases are that serious. The symptoms are pretty mild and that’s good for Florida,” said Crist.

But if things get bad the state has 700,000 doses of anti-viral medication ready to be distributed. The swine flu call center is open from 8 to 8 (ET). After hours, there is an automated message with daily updated information in English and Spanish. The hotline number is 1-800-342-3557.

Lawmakers have reached an agreement on a budget proposal that includes increased taxes, fees and college tuition.

The increases will help plug a three billion dollar deficit in next year’s budget. Drivers, hunters, and fishermen will be paying more in fees and smokers will pay higher cigarette taxes. Budget Co-Chair David Rivera said lawmakers still have to decide how much money they’ll get from a cigarette tax, and how much will come from tobacco settlement money.

“We haven’t come to closure on the issue of the details of a cigarette tax. We’ve come to an agreement as to an amount. We have a little over 900 million in revenues. How exactly we get to those revenues is still under discussion,” said Rivera.

State law requires a three day cooling off period from the time a budget proposal has been reached until it can be voted on by the full House and Senate.

Lawmakers are gambling with the Seminole Gaming Compact.

Monday, members of the state budget conference decided to leave the compact out of their budget agreement. The compact could raise half a billion dollars for the state, but with three different proposals on the table, members of the conference decided to postpone their negotiations. Budget Co-chair David Rivera says negotiating a compact was slowing down the budget process, which has already been extended by a week.

“We did not what the gambling discussions to hold up the budget discussions. We wanted to make sure we had a budget and we wanted to make sure any gambling issues didn’t complicate closing on the budget,” said Rivera.

Governor Charlie Crist says if a compact isn’t approved soon, the Seminole Tribe will likely get the go ahead to expand gambling from the Federal Government. If that happens, Florida would get nothing from the deal.

Monday the state honored eight law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

Two of the officers were killed last month in the panhandle. The Okaloosa County Deputies were shot while responding to a domestic disturbance. Family members of the fallen were comforted by Governor Charlie Crist. Crist said those who gave their lives are real heroes.

“The men and women we honor here today are true heroes. We honor the fallen officers who gave their lives in service here in Florida. They face danger and uncertainty, always focused on their mission to protect those that they serve,” said Crist.

Law enforcement officer deaths are down from a year ago. Last year 16 officers died in the line of duty.

People from all over the world will attend graduation ceremonies at Florida colleges this weekend. Several schools are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of H1N1, or swine flu. As Whitney Ray tells us, besides a cap and gown, some graduates may also be wearing a medical mask when they receive their diplomas.

Crowds of people will gather in gymnasiums across the state to watch their loved ones receive college diplomas this weekend. But FAMU Junior Steve Williams will stay home, too scared of catching swine flu to watch his friends graduate.

“I might not go. You know swine flu and all that stuff,” said Williams.

Former President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker, so extra security will be in place. So will extra health measures. Guests will be given hand sanitizer and medical masks. And janitors will work overtime.

“Between sessions, the 9:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 6:00 pm, we’ll do a thorough cleaning of the arena as well as the restrooms,” said Henry Kirby, the chairman do the FAMU graduation committee.

All weekend, family members will be shaking hands, giving hugs, and of course spreading germs.

But the man who may have the highest risk is the schools president as he shakes students’ hands. He’ll have his own bottle of sanitizer and so will every student receiving a diploma.

“What we will be asking the graduates to do is as they approach the podium, to use the hand sanitizer and so all the graduates will have already done that as they approach the podium,” said Tonya Tatum the Director of Student Health Services at FAMU.

Health experts say if you’re feeling sick you shouldn’t attend graduation ceremonies and those who are well should take extra precautions.

Florida State University is also taking steps to stop the spread of germs. At FSU graduation ceremonies, guests will be given hand sanitizer and disposable facial tissue. Both schools will post signs reminding people to cover their mouths when they cough and to wash their hands frequently.

Florida continues to wait for the results of 8 suspected cases of H1N1 Virus or Swine Flu from an overwhelmed Centers for Disease Control. The cases are from across the state and include 2 from Lee County, 2 from Palm Beach County, and one each from Pinellas, Alaucha, Broward, Orange County. As Mike Vasilinda tells us,  the state began mobilizing resources today.

The news of Florida’s first  two confirmed cases of H1N1came just after 3 p.m. Friday.

“They are located in Lee and Broward County,” Crist said. “They involve two students. The one in Lee County is at Spring Creek Elementary, it’s an 11-year-old male. And in Broward County it’s a student from Hallendale High School, a 17-year-old female.”

At least one child had a history of travel to Mexico.

More than six other suspect samples, including a second Lee County sample are pending analysis.

“While we cannot predict the course of this outbreak and how it will affect the state, we do expect to see more cases over the coming days and weeks,” Viamonte Ros said.

Earlier in the day the state began sending resources including protective masks into the field. The state’s Surgeon General says the masks are only for health care providers right now.

“We’re not suggesting anyone purchase masks at this time,” Viamonte Ros said. “The masks are there mostly for individuals that are first responders.”

The state is also pushing out half a million doses of anti-viral medication. They’ll go to first responders, EMTs, doctors and hospitals.

The state also went live with an 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. hotline to answer citizens questions.

Those with symptoms are being urged to stay home. Everyone else is being urged to wash their hands frequently.

The hotline number is 1-800-342-3557.

Florida students on bright futures scholarships will soon have to cough up cash to pay tuition costs.

Lawmakers are increasing tuition, but not funding for the scholarship program in order to save the state money. Students on a full bright futures scholarship will be paying at least eight percent more next fall. The percentage could be much higher as individual schools will be able to raise a differential tuition rate. Governor Charlie Crist says the economy is forcing the change to the scholarship program.

“I think it is fairly obvious to most folks that this is a tough economy and we have to tighten our belts a little bit, and that is just sort of the reality of what we are dealing with and I understand, I’d rather not have to do it to but we have to be realistic,” siad Crist.

Many fear separating Bright Futures from actual tuition costs is just the first step on a path to drastically changing the scholarship program.

The state is currently testing 80 samples from patients with flu like symptoms. Eight have been sent on to the CDC in Atlanta for further testing. The state has medical mask and anti-viral medicine in stored hubs through out the state. The protective measures are being given to people who have been in contact with the sick. They’re also launching a hotline later this afternoon to keep the public updated. The state is also keeping communication lines open with school superintendents in case any schools need to shutdown. As of right now no schools in Florida have closed.

The state is awaiting test results from three people suspected of having swine flu. The tests are being conducted at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. As Whitney Ray tells us, Governor Charlie Crist is considering an executive order to bring more Tamiflu into the state as the number of suspected cases continues to rise.

State labs are testing 70 samples from people who could have swine flu. Three of the more severe cases have been passed on to the CDC. The cases are out of Broward, Lee, and Orange Counties

“The three cases we are even concerned about, every one is at home, has been treated,” said Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, the state’s surgeon general.

Viamonte Ros is asking people to stay calm as the state awaits the test results.

“There is nothing to panic about. The symptoms have been extremely mild,” Viamonte Ros said.

Much of the focus has been on Central Florida. South Carolina students who came down with flu like symptoms after a trip to Orange County are now in the clear. There is still no word on the health of an Orlando tourist.

The state is staying tight lipped over the possibility of any cases coming out of Disney World.

Health Experts are asking people to wash their hands regularly and to stay home if they’re sick. Governor Charlie Crist is preparing for things to get worse.

“We’ve talked about the possibility of signing an executive order that would free up more Tamiflu if that would become necessary,” said Crist.

The state also has a stock pile of protective gear, including face masks and gloves should an outbreak hit Florida. Federal Customs and Border Agents continue to watch Florida’s air and sea ports, but for now our borders remain open to all travelers, including those from Mexico.

Legislation to stop doctor shopping and shut down prescription pill mills is headed to the governor’s desk.

The Florida House passed the pill mill bill Thursday afternoon. Florida is one of only a dozen states that doesn’t have a prescription drug monitoring program. People from as far away as Kentucky are traveling to Florida to load up on painkillers. Representative Ronald Renuart said the state has a responsibility to the surrounding areas to control our narcotics.

“This is not the kind of business we want to attract here in Florida. How many children and young adults do we continue to lose in our state and also how many are we losing in other states because people are taking the pills out of the state of Florida to their own state. This must end,” said Renuart.

The legislation requires doctors and pharmacists to keep track of people would use prescription narcotics. It’s estimated that between 5 to 7 Floridians overdose on prescription drugs everyday.

Time is running out for the state legislature to secure 444 million in additional federal stimulus dollars.

In order to receive the money Florida would have to lighten its unemployment qualification standards. Legislation to change the standards and allow more people to qualify for unemployment is being snubbed by legislative leaders. House Sponsor Kevin Radar said there’s still hope.

“The governor likes it, which is probably a good thing to have on your side on an issue, but you know a lot will happen over the couple of days and we’ll have to wait and see,” said Radar.

Radar said his legislation could help keep the state’s unemployment compensation fund afloat. The fund is paying out 60 million dollars a week in claims because the jobless rate has grown to nearly 10 percent. Lawmakers say the fund will be dry by July.

The only man to serve as House Speaker and Senate President following reconstruction in Florida died Thursday. Mallory Horne passed away in Tallahassee this morning.

Horne was 84 years old. Horne is credited with fighting south Florida legislators to keep the state capitol in Tallahassee. Here is Horne in a 2001 interview talking about his time leading both chambers.

“The Senate is overall a much more powerful job, in reality and in perception, but being Speaker of the House is in fact more fun, Senate is more powerful no question about it,” said Horne.

Two weeks ago the state senate honored Horne for his service and named a room in the Capitol after the legislative legend.