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A government watchdog group took out a full page newspaper ad asking Governor Charlie Crist to launch an investigation into House Speaker Ray Sansom’s dealings with a college in his district.

Sansom took an administration job with Northwest Florida State College after helping the school secure 25 million state dollars. Yesterday Sansom resigned his position with the school, but admitted no wrongdoing. Crist applauded the move and said he won’t call for an investigation.

“I think the speaker did the right thing yesterday when he resigned the position at the college, and I’m sure it was difficult, but I respect his decision,” said Crist.

While the governor won’t call for an investigation a complaint has been filed with the state’s commission on ethics.

A former NFL Star Quarterback is asking Florida fans to mind their manners at upcoming tailgate parties. Super Bowl Champ Joe Thiesmann was at the state capitol Tuesday to promote tailgating etiquette and safety. The football star is asking fans who plan to tailgate at the college national championship game and the super bowl to designate a driver, watch their language around kids, and provide plenty of food for people who plan to drink.

“Tailgating can be a lot of fun but for some people it can be very uncomfortable. I want to be able to take my family to a game. I want to be able to have my son and daughter not have to worry about a person drunk next to me, or out of control next to me. I want to make it a pleasurable experience,” said Thiesmann.

Thiesmann is a spokesperson for Turf, an alcohol industry founded group devoted to safe and responsible tailgating at college and professional football games.

From Days Gone By

Governor Jeb Bush today emailed supporters and reporters a statement saying he’s out of the US Senate Race in 2010. Sounds like he’s leaving the door open for something else at a later date. The annoucement should set loose a free for all in the GOP as candidates begin lining up support. His announcement could also move Alex Sink on the Democratic side to get in the race…or not.  Kendrick Meek is moving full speed ahead, lining up supporters. A Jeb – Meek repeat of the sit in would have been fun!. Read the statement here: 1-6-09-jeb-bush-senate-press-statement-final

The no new taxes mantra of the GOP leadership in Tallahassee appears to be cracking under the weight of massive budget cuts that will affect real people. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, it now is looking more like when than if for a cigarette or other tax increase.

Hear it Here: Tax Increase Gains Momentum
Schools are facing the immediate lost of one hundred forty dollars for each and every student. The cut has the Florida PTA telling lawmakers that enough is enough.

“The overall message from our parents is ‘please, no more cuts,’” Latha Krishnaiyer with the Florida PTA said.

Across the Capitol, this senate committee talked about eliminating 570 slots for developmentally disabled kids. It was enough to prompt the conservative chairman to mention the T word.

“There’s some equity in looking about the fiscal and financial transactions that go on in Florida, that maybe we don’t get our fair share for taking care of these overwhelming needs,” Sen. Durell Peaden said.

There is concern that cuts being made now could cost the state up to 40 million dollars next year in federal money destined for foster care.

The Governor is on board with the plan to cut now, but what about later?

When asked if he saw a point, in the near future, where he would support a tax increase, the Governor replied, “not now.”

Democratic Senator Nan Rich says waiting will hurt people.

“For instance, if you did the cigarette tax now, then it starts right away. I mean we can start it pretty quickly, and the revenue begins to come in,” Rich said.

A cigarette tax hike remains the most likely place for lawmakers to turn. But the fact GOP leaders are saying everything is on the table is the most dramatic public policy change to come from the special session.

Under mounting pressure Florida’s Speaker of the House stepped down from his six figure job at Northwest Florida State College today. Speaker Ray Sansom took the job in November after funneling 25 million state dollars to the college. While the move may have appeased some, as Whitney Ray tells us, Sansom isn’t in the clear just yet.

Hear it Here: Speaker Resigns

Shortly after gaveling the house into session, Speaker Ray Sansom bowed to mounting pressure and controversy surrounding his new six figure college administrative job.

“I have decided to resign from my position as a vice president at Northwest Florida State College,” Sansom said.

Sansom took the job after steering 25 million state dollars to the school for construction projects. Republican lawmakers say his decision to resign showed great leadership.

“He always said he would put the House above personal issues, and he’s done that. I think it showed leadership. I think it showed statesman like ability and I’m proud of him for doing it,” said Republican representative Will Weatherford.

But not everybody is happy with the move. For weeks Florida Democrats have been asking Speaker Sansom to resign. Now that Sansom has stepped down from his college job they say it’s too little too late.

Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff said Sansom quit the wrong job.

“He should have been stepping down as speaker. It’s clear that he’s allegedly been involved in a massive criminal corruption conspiracy,” said Jotkoff.

Despite the move, the state commission on ethics will still have to review a complaint filed against the speaker last month.

Schools face the largest cuts in the budget.

Lawmakers will consider chopping another 360 million in education funding this special session. School administrators are considering laying-off teachers, cancelling field trips, and reducing bus routes to keep up with the proposed cuts. Florida Education Association Spokesman Mark Pudlow said lawmakers need to eliminate tax loopholes to spare education from the budget ax.

“We’ve granted tax cuts for the last 10 years to some of the wealthiest people in Florida, corporations, It’s time for us to go out there and find revenue and make sure we stop these cuts before they have a negative impact on kids,” said Pudlow.

The Florida Education Association is also calling for a temporary sales tax increase to fund public schools.

Florida Lawmakers are in Tallahassee tonight after finishing day one of a 12-day special legislative session. Lawmakers must cut 2.3 billion dollars from the state budget or come up with new revenue sources. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, only a few fees are expected to rise.

Hear it Here: Budget Cuts

Shortly after gaveling the house into special session, House Speaker Ray Sansom ended the two months of controversy he created when he took a six figure job from a hometown Destin college after steering 25 million to the school.

“I have decided to resign from my position as the Vice President of Northwest Florida State College,” Sansom said.

The resignation allows lawmakers to focus on cutting the budget without answering for Sansom’s largess. In committee, nearly half a billion was being axed from schools. That’s 100 million more than the governor recommended.

“It’s a little bit under 140 dollars per student. Believe me when I say that this is not something anybody wants to do,” Rep. Anitere Flores said.

One floor up, parents of developmentally disabled children made pleas for their children’s well being.

“I’m here to basically, respectfully ask that we do not cut anymore,” Ven Sequenzia Jr., president of the Autism Society of Florida, said. “I mean, we’re going to be having, I’m sure there are deaths, I’m not trying to be alarmist.”

“We need to look for other revenues,” Betty Clemons with Kare said.

A plan to hike the cigarette tax is off the table, but Senate Budget leaders say keeping the courts functioning is likely to cost speeders.

“Right now we’re looking at increasing traffic fines about 25 dollars,” Senator Victor Crist said.

The day began with a Capitol shrouded in fog. The fate of the budget may remain foggy until the final vote a week from Friday.

Speaker of the House Ray Sansom resigned from his $110,000 dollar job at Northwest Florida State College, Monday.

The speaker funneled 25 million dollars to the school before he took the part-time administrative job. Sansom said he didn’t want the controversy surrounding the job to distract lawmakers as they try to fill a 2.3 billion dollar budget hole.

Hear it Here: Sansom Resigns

2008 was a year of ups and downs for Governor Charlie Crist. He was thrust into the national spotlight as talks of a Crist VP nomination began to surface. While he lost the nomination, he gained a wife. As Whitney Ray tells us, his biggest test next year could be trying to keep government afloat as state revenues dwindle.

Hear it Here: Crist’s Year in Review

2008 started off strong for Governor Charlie Crist. The plan he backed to lower property taxes was approved by voters and a gaming compact he signed with the Seminole Tribe brought blackjack and Vegas-style slots to Florida. But both plans soured.

The state Supreme Court ruled the Governor’s compact needed legislative approval and despite his campaign promise property taxes didn’t drop like a rock.

But he soon rebounded as talks of a Crist VP Nomination began to surface. Crist spent the summer campaigning for John McCain, and while McCain said “I don’t” a special lady said “I do” and moved into the Governor’s Mansion.

Crist became Florida’s first sitting governor in 41 years to get married while in office. Florida’s new First Lady Carole Crist wants to spend 2009 helping kids.

“Particularly children in Florida are very near and dear to my heart,” said Carole in a December 21st interview.

While his wife will focus on the kids, Crist has an even bigger task: working with lawmakers to find a way to bridge the state’s two billion dollar budget gap. Despite the economic downturn and the shrinking state budget Crist’s approval rating remains in the high 60’s.

Next year Floridians will have a chance to compete for big cash with people from 29 other states.

Powerball tickets go on sale in Florida on January 4th. The minimum jackpot in the multi-state game is 20 million dollars. The Florida Lottery’s low jackpot is 3 million. This year, lotto sales are down 125 million dollars statewide. Florida Lotto Spokeswoman Jackie Barreiros said Powerball could help fill the void left by declining sales.

“Players tend to gravitate to the new games. So we do expect more players to gravitate to the game initially. I think players will then start to choose what they like best, which is our goal, to offer choices, but I think overall it will be driven by the jackpot. If Powerball has a high jackpot and Lotto has a lower one, more people will play Powerball, and the opposite maybe true as well,” Barreiros said.

The Powerball drawings will be held in Orlando and televised at 10:59 Eastern Time nightly starting January 7th. The Florida Lotto drawings will be moved to 11:15.

Florida’s lowest paid workers are getting a raise. Starting tomorrow the state’s minimum wage will increase more than 40 cents to $7.21.

About 400,000 Floridians work for minimum wage. For those full time employees the increase will amount to about 17 extra dollars a week. The rate will increase again in July to a federally mandated $7.25 an hour.

Lawmakers seem to be in agreement with the Governor.

Higher fees and fines along with trust fund dollars will likely be the elements used to balance the budget. Lawmakers will meet next Monday in Tallahassee to begin working on the two billion dollar budget shortfall. The 40,000 dollar a day special session is expected to last through January 16th. Read the official proclamation below.

Read it Here: Joint Proclamation

In a statement released Tuesday night, Governor Charlie Crist said state government needs to tighten it’s belt.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the Florida Legislature to put our current fiscal year in balance,” said Crist. “Just as families across Florida are tightening their belts in response to the challenging economic times, we as elected officials must do all we can to run government and serve our citizens in a way that is efficient and responsible.”

Three out of every four Floridians will make a resolution to get fit in 2009. Joining a health club can be a big commitment and cost hundreds of dollars. As Whitney Ray tells us, people looking to lose weight could lose money instead if the gym they join isn’t licensed and bonded.

Hear it Here: Lose Weight, Not Money

Gold’s Gym Trainer J.C. Collier is entering his busiest season.

“January 1st everyone wants to get it rolling,” said Collier.

Selecting a health club is a big choice for people looking to get fit in 2009. Shannon Williams signed up at Gold’s.

“You can pretty much get in and get out without any hesitation,” said Williams.

But not everyone who signs a contract and pays a deposit is as happy with their decision. Last year 370 health clubs in Florida went out of business. The Florida Division of Consumer Services said when gyms close new members can lose their deposits.

“If it’s not a licensed facility, if it hasn’t been paying that bonding requirement, then the consumer could be out a lot of money in the event the place goes bust,” said Terry McElroy, a spokesman for the Division.

People should also ask about fees for specialty classes and equipment, and before you sign a contract it’s a good idea to check the equipment you want to use at the time you want to use it, to make sure it’s available.

April Smith changed gyms because her old gym was crowded.

“There was always like a 15, 20 minute wait for these kinds of machines,” said April.

And knowing her gym is in good shape with the state will help April focus on keeping herself in shape. To find out if your gym is licensed and bonded you can call the Division of Consumer Services at 1-800-HELPFLA that’s 1-800-352-9832.

War is raging between two groups pushing controversial amendments for the 2010 ballot.

Hometown Democracy and Smart Growth want to limit the power city and county governments have over new developments. The Hometown Democracy plan requires voter approval on every proposed land use change. The Smart Growth Amendment would require 10 percent of registered voters in a city or county to visit their local elections office and sign a petition, before a development issue could be voted on by the public. Hometown Democracy spokesman John Hedrick said the plan disenfranchises Floridians in the military and disabled voters.

“This is a totally indefensible position. There is going to be mounting outrage over this over time. They need to withdraw their position, admit they were wrong and apologize to the troops and everyone they discriminated against,” said Hedrick.

If both amendments get the support they need to make it to the 2010 ballot and both amendments pass, the Smart Growth Amendment would supersede the Hometown Democracy plan.

The heat is being turned up on House Speaker Ray Sansom over his new job at Northwest Florida State College. Sansom steered 25 million state dollars to the school last year, before being hired as an administrator in November. As Whitney Ray tells us, a Pinellas County man filed an ethics complaint against the embattled speaker.

Hear it Here: Pressure Mounts on Embattled Speaker

As Representative Ray Sansom was preparing to take over as Florida’s Speaker of the House, news of his 110,000 dollar part-time job at Northwest Florida State College was beginning to surface. Sansom used his political clout to funnel 25 million state dollars to the school. The Florida Democrats are crying foul.

“Speaker Sansom, over the past month, it’s been exposed that he’s been involved in what’s allegedly a massive conspiracy,” said party spokesman Eric Jotkoff.

Some of the money Sansom steered to the college is being used for campus construction. Six million will go to build an airplane hanger at the Destin Airport. The Florida Democrats asked the Governor, the Attorney General and the US Attorney’s Office to investigate.

So far the party’s requests for investigations have been fruitless, but now a citizen is getting involved sending a letter to the ethics commission asking for a full investigation.

The commission isn’t allowed to discuss complaints that haven’t been released to the public. If they choose to investigate they could suggest fines, impeachment or both.

When the Florida Commission on Ethics suggests a penalty for a lawmaker, it sends its findings to legislative leaders. The leaders can then form a committee to decide whether or not to carry out the suggested punishment.