>> RIGHT NOW ON "CAPITOL UPDATE."
>> I THINK RIGHT NOW WE HAVE UP TO 255,000 JOB OPENINGS IN THE STATE
SO WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.
>> FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR CELEBRATES A DROP IN THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
ON THE SAME DAY HE SIGNED A NEW LAW THAT HE BELIEVES WILL CREATE EVEN MORE JOBS.
WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW STATE AGENCIES STARTED PREPARING FOR THE WORST
AS HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHES AND, THANKS TO ONE THOUGHTFUL HOMEOWNER
AND A STATE WILDLIFE OFFICIAL, THIS RARE FLORIDA PANTHER KITTEN HAS A CHANCE TO SURVIVE.
WE WILL SHOW YOU WHY STRAIGHT AHEAD.
[music]
>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL UPDATE" YOUR REVIEW OF STATE GOVERNMENT
FOR THE WEEK ENDING FRIDAY MAY 17.
I AM KRYSTA BROWN, IN FOR THERESA MARSENBURG.
FLORIDA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED AGAIN LAST MONTH AND WE WILL HAVE DETAILS ON THOSE NUMBERS
IN JUST A BIT, BUT ONE AREA THAT DIDN'T IMPROVE LAST MONTH WAS MANUFACTURING,
WHICH LOST 800 JOBS.
AS OF NOW A NEW LAW AIMING TO -- IS ON THE BOOKS.
"CAPITOL UPDATE'S" REBECCA BAER REPORTS FROM FLORIDA
WHERE THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE MEASURE AT A FACTORY FRIDAY MORNING.
>> JOINED BY LAWMAKERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS,
GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL THAT INCLUDED ONE OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES,
A SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT,
A MEASURE HE SAYS WILL HAVE A FAR-REACHING IMPACT ON FLORIDA'S ECONOMY.
>> OUR MANUFACTURERS UTILIZE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE OUR SEAPORTS RAIL LINES AND TRUCKS
TO GET MANUFACTURED GOODS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, SO BY BUILDING THE MANUFACTURING
IN OUR STATE WE CREATE MORE JOBS FOR INDUSTRIES IN OUR STATE.
>> HE SIGNED THE BILL AT HEATH RAY TECHNOLOGY IN TAMPA.
THE COMPANY MAKES PLATES FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.
ITS OPERATIONS MANAGER SAYS THE NEW LAW IS KEY TO MAKING FLORIDA'S BUSINESSES MORE COMPETITIVE.
>> SAVINGS ON THE CAPITOL EXPENDITURES AND EQUIPMENT WILL ASSIST
IN PROVIDING THE NEEDED TRAINING TO KEEP UP INDUSTRY STANDARDS, INCREASE ASSURANCE
OF A GOOD SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR ASSOCIATES,
HELP US PROVIDE GOOD SOLID JOBS FOR YEARS TO COME.
>> WHILE COMPANIES LIKE HEATH RAY HAVE SHOWN GROWTH FLORIDA RANKS 43rd
IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF MANUFACTURING JOBS.
THE GOVERNOR HOPES THIS TAX BREAK WILL LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.
>> FOR TOO LONG FLORIDA MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN AT A DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PAY A TAX
THAT PEOPLE IN OTHER STATES DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY.
SO, BY PUTTING THIS MONEY BACK IN OUR MANUFACTURERSí POCKETS, TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE
AND BUY MORE EQUIPMENT, IT WILL CREATE MORE JOBS.
>> THE BILL SIGNING CAPS OFF A WEEK IN WHICH THE GOVERNOR WENT ON WHAT HE CALLED A VICTORY TOUR,
A STATEWIDE TRIP TO SEVERAL MANUFACTURING FACILITIES.
BUT SOME SAY CLAIMING VICTORY IS PREMATURE.
THE LAW COULD FACE CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT STANDS TO LOSE TAX REVENUE SOME SAY.
THE BILL REQUIRES A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE.
IT DID NOT RECEIVE THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.
BUT SO FAR, NO MUNICIPALITY HAS SAID IT WOULD CHALLENGE THE LAW BUT THE TAX EXEMPTION
ON EQUIPMENT DOESN'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL NEXT APRIL.
IT WILL END AFTER THREE YEARS UNLESS RENEWED BY LAWMAKERS.
IN TAMPA REPORTING FOR "CAPITOL UPDATE," I'M REBECCA BAER.
>> FLORIDA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS FALLEN TO THE LOWEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN FOUR AND A HALF YEARS.
IN APRIL THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 7.2%.
THAT IS DOWN FROM 7.5% IN MARCH.
THAT RATE IS ALSO 3/10 A PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 7.5%.
THESE NUMBERS CONTRAST WITH WHAT THE STATE SAW TWO YEARS AGO IN FLORIDA AT ONE
OF THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE NATION.
"CAPITOL UPDATE'S" MIKE LICQUIA JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK
AT WHERE THE JOB GROWTH HAS BEEN COMING FROM.
>> KRYSTA, THE FLORIDA HOUSING MARKET HAS STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF LIFE WITH MORE JOBS
IN BOTH CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE.
OTHER TRADITIONALLY STRONG INDUSTRIES HAVE GROWN IN FLORIDA.
>> GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT WELCOMES THE LATEST JOB FIGURES IN FLORIDA.
>> THIS IS PROOF THAT OUR PLAN OF LOWER TAXES AND LESS REGULATION AND A PRO-BUSINESS ATTITUDE
IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY INTERESTED IN ADDING JOBS HAS WORKED FOR OUR STATE.
>> WE HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT IS THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN ALMOST FIVE YEARS.
>> IN THE LAST YEAR, TOURISM HAS BROUGHT 34,000 NEW JOBS.
IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2013, 26 MILLION TOURISTS CAME TO FLORIDA, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
>> LAST YEAR WAS A RECORD YEAR AND THE YEAR PRIOR TO THAT WAS A RECORD YEAR,
AND JANUARY AND MARCH WAS ANOTHER RECORD.
>> "VISIT FLORIDA" ESTIMATES FOR EVERY 85 NEW TOURISTS, THERE'S A NEW JOB IN FLORIDA.
>> I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE REBOUND IS A STRONG INCREASE OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF
TO THREE YEARS AND JOBS THE VISITORS HAVE CREATED HAS LIFTED THE STATE'S RECOVERY
FROM THE RECESSION.
>> TOURISM HAS GROWN TO THE POINT WHERE ON ANY GIVEN DAY FLORIDA HAS MORE TOURISTS
WITHIN ITS BORDERS THAN 12 OTHER STATES HAVE IN TOTAL POPULATION.
>> NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE MORE VISITORS THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD BUT OUR MARKET SHARES CONTINUE
TO GROW SO WE ARE GETTING A BIGGER PIECE OF THE PIE.
>> NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION IS BEGINNING TO REBOUND AND CONSTRUCTION GAINED 9,000 JOBS AND MORE JOBS
IN THAT MONTH THAN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY IN FLORIDA.
>> IN 2009 AND 2010 IT WAS THREE HOMES AND THIS YEAR WE HOPE TO DO 10 TO 12.
>> ONCE A DRIVER IN THE FLORIDA ECONOMY CONSTRUCTION HIT A STANDSTILL
AND SOME WORKERS LEFT THE STATE IN RECENT YEARS.
NOW, SOME BUILDERS BELIEVE THERE IS MORE ROOM TO GROW.
>> THERE IS AN INSURGENCE, WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BEING CAUTIOUS IN HIRING NEW PEOPLE,
THINKING THEY'RE NOT SURE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
>> ANOTHER GOOD SIGN FOR THE HOUSING MARKET IS
THAT IN APRIL FLORIDA ADDED NEARLY 2000 REAL ESTATE JOBS.
RETAIL HAS ALSO GROWN ADDING MORE THAN 35,000 JOBS IN THE LAST YEAR.
HEALTH CARE HAS KEPT CREATING NEW JOBS AT A STEADY PACE.
>> GENERAL HEALTH SERVICES IS A GROWTH AREA IN FLORIDA,
IF YOU LOOK AT THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES, WITH REGISTERED NURSES ONE
OF THE BIGGEST OPEN JOB MARKETS WE HAVE.
>> THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOWS AROUND THE REST OF THE NATION THESE AREAS
OF HEALTH CARE, RETAIL, TOURISM AND CONSTRUCTION ALSO GREW IN APRIL WHILE NATIONALLY OTHER PARTS
OF THE ECONOMY HAVE BEEN STAGNANT.
THE TAMPA BAY AREA HAD THE STRONGEST JOB GROWTH OVER THE LAST YEAR
AND THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY JACKSONVILLE AND ORLANDO.
THE PANAMA CITY AREA HAD THE GREATEST DECLINE.
>> IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET ONE ITEM THE GOVERNOR IS NOT LIKELY
TO VETO IS THE 36 MILLION-DOLLAR APPROPRIATIONS TO HELP HUNDREDS
OF PEOPLE GET THE SERVICES THEY ARE WAITING FOR RIGHT NOW.
ON THURSDAY THE GOVERNOR VISITED A VILLAGE IN ST. CLOUD TO CELEBRATE THAT LEVEL OF SPENDING.
THE BUDGET APPROVES MORE THAN $1 BILLION FOR THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
THE $36 MILLION WILL ALLOW 750 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO GET OFF THE WAIT LIST
FOR MEDICAID WAIVERS AND START RECEIVING SERVICES IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES CHEERED AS THE GOVERNOR
AND OTHER STATE LEADERS DESCRIBED THE BENEFITS THE APPROPRIATION WILL BRING.
THE 27th ANNUAL BUDGET TURKEY LIST REPORT WAS RELEASED BY FLORIDA TaxWatch THURSDAY.
107 PROJECTS MADE THE LIST.
THE TURKEY LIST IS SMALLER THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS BUT IS GETTING MIXED REVIEWS.
TaxWatch, THE FISCAL WATCHDOG GROUP LOCATED IN TALLAHASSEE WANTS THE GOVERNOR TO VETO 107 ITEMS
FROM THE STATE'S $74.5 MILLION BUDGET.
THE LIST INCLUDES A $14 MILLION STEM BUILDING IN DADE COUNTY
AND A 9 MILLION-DOLLAR APPROPRIATIONS
AT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL INDUSTRY AND A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN VOLUSIA.
TaxWatch SAYS, WHILE MUCH OF THE LIST INCLUDES PROJECTS,
HE SAYS THE LEGISLATURE DID SHOW SOME RESTRAINT, SHOWING A BUDGET SURPLUS YEAR.
>> WE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE TURKEY LABEL DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE CONDEMNING THE
WORTHINESS OF THE PROJECT OR MAKING A JUDGMENT ON THAT PROJECT.
THE TURKEY REPORT FOCUSES ON THE BUDGET
AND MAKES SURE EVERYTHING GETS THE SCRUTINY IT SHOULD.
>> MOST OF THE ITEMS ON THE LIST APPEARS DURING THE CONFERENCE PROCESS OR IN THE FINAL DAYS
OF SESSION AND THEREFORE DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE BUDGET PROCESS.
THE ANNUAL TURKEY LIST WAS CRITICIZED
BY SENATE BUDGET CHAIR JOE NEGRON DURING THE FINAL DAYS OF SESSION.
NEGRON REFERRED TO THE TURKEY LIST AS A NEGATIVE SPIN ON A WORTHY PROJECT.
>> ONE OF THE RATIONALES THEY POSE FOR WHY SOMETHING IS A TURKEY IS
THAT IT'S NOT REQUESTED BY AN AGENCY.
THAT IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT AN IDEA THAT COMES FROM AN AGENCY HAS THE PRESUMPTION
OF CORRECTNESS AND IDEAS AND PRIORITIES OF THE LEGISLATURE SOMEHOW ARE VIEWED WITH SUSPICION
AND I WOULD SAY IT'S EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE.
WE ARE THE ONES ELECTED BY OUR CONSTITUENTS TO CHECK THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION
AND IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO WRITE THE STATE'S BUDGET.
THE WORK THAT WE PUT INTO THIS PROCESS RECOGNIZES THE RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE
BUT IT IS THE LEGISLATURE THAT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY LINE ITEM
IN THE BUDGET AND I THINK WE HAVE DONE THAT.
>> IN A STATEMENT THURSDAY SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN GAETZ CRITICIZED THE TaxWatch LIST CALLING IT
ILL-INFORMED AND SELECTIVE.
THE HEAD OF THE SENATE SAID, QUOTE, TaxWatch MOBILE MEDICAL WILL BRING HEALTH CARE
TO POOR PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS, DOCUMENTATION AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST,
HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS, REHABILITATION FOR SEVERELY WOUNDED SOLDIERS WHO WANT TO RETURN
TO DUTY AND REPLACEMENT OF 50-YEAR-OLD EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
THAT PRODUCE THE WORKFORCE FOR COMPANIES BRINGING JOBS TO FLORIDA.
HE WENT ON TO SAY, QUOTE, AND IN THOSE WHO PUT TOGETHER THIS LIST COULDN'T FIND THE PROJECTS
ON A MAP AND HAVEN'T TAKEN FIVE MINUTES TO FIND OUT ANYTHING ABOUT THEM.
WHILE TaxWatch AGREES THE BUDGET INCLUDES TEACHER PAY RAISES AND MONEY FOR EDUCATION,
TaxWatch IS RECOMMENDING THE GOVERNOR ASSESS THE PROJECT LIST TO ASSESS ACCOUNTABILITY.
BEFORE THE LIST, THE GOVERNOR SENT OUT LETTERS ASKING FOR SEVERAL GROUPS PERSUADING THOSE
WHO WOULD GET FUNDING FOR THE BUDGET TO DETAIL WHAT THE STATE WILL BE GETTING
IN RETURN IF THE PROJECTS ARE FUNDED.
THE GOVERNOR HAS UNTIL MAY 24 TO SIGN THE BUDGET
WHICH WILL LIKELY BE MINUS A FEW ITEMS THE GOVERNOR DECIDES ON HIS OWN TO VETO.
FLORIDA LAWMAKERS APPROVED A STATEWIDE MEDICAID REFORM PLAN IN 2011 AND THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
ENROLLMENT PACKETS ARE IN THE MAIL FOR NEARLY 10,000 PEOPLE
IN THE ORLANDO AREA RECEIVING LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID.
THE PACKETS DETAIL THE STATE TRANSITION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE-RUN HEALTH CARE PROGRAM
AND MORE OF THE MANAGED-CARE TYPE ASSISTANCE LONG-TERM CARE RECIPIENTS WILL BE FACING FIRST
BEGINNING IN AUGUST AND SENIORS WHO ARE DISABLED LIVING IN SEMINOLE, ORANGE AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES.
COUNSELORS ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO HELP RECIPIENTS WITH THE HEALTH CARE PLANS
AND IF THEY DON'T CHOOSE ONE, THEY WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED
IN ONE OF THE SEVEN PLANS AVAILABLE.
>> IT'S VERY CRITICAL THAT THEY OPEN THOSE PACKETS AND THEY CALL
AND MAKE A PROACTIVE CHOICE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING
TO BE THEIR CARE THAT IS IMPACTED.
WE CAN DO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO ASSURE THAT PROCESS THAT WE GET THEM TO THE RIGHT PLAN
THAT IT WILL NEVER REPLACE THE VOLUNTARY SELECTION.
>> THE CALL CENTER IN TALLAHASSEE OPERATED BY AUTOMATIC HEALTH SYSTEMS CURRENTLY HANDLES CALLS
WITH MEDICAID REFORM THAT HAS BEEN UP
AND RUNNING INSIDE FLORIDA COUNTIES INCLUDING DUVAL AND BROWARD SINCE 2007.
THE CENTER HANDLES MORE THAN 2 MILLION CALLS A YEAR
AND IS GEARING UP TO HANDLE TWICE THAT NUMBER.
THE LONG-TERM CARE COMPONENT OF MEDICAID MANAGED CARE
IN ALL SEVEN REGIONS WILL IMPACT 90,000 FLORIDIANS
AND WILL BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED BY MARCH OF 2014.
THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND REDUCE COSTS.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE ORLANDO AREA CAN GET MORE INFORMATION
BY CALLING THE STATEWIDE HOTLINE AT 1-877-711-3662.
ACCORDING TO NEW ESTIMATES FLORIDA'S HURRICANE CATASTROPHE FUND SHOULD HAVE THE RESOURCES IT
NEEDS TO HELP INSURERS PAY CLAIMS DURING THE 2013 STORM SEASON.
AT THE C.A.T. FUND ADVISORY MEETING,
FINANCIAL ADVISERS SHARED THE RESULTS OF ITS SEMIANNUAL STUDY.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE FUNDS HAVE ALMOST $10 BILLION
IN CASH PLUS ANOTHER $2 BILLION IN FINANCING.
THE STUDY PROJECTS THAT UNDER CURRENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THE FUND WOULD BE ABLE
TO BORROW AN ADDITIONAL $7 BILLION, MORE THAN ENOUGH TO MEET ITS MAXIMUM OBLIGATIONS.
>> I THINK WE ARE IN THE BEST SHAPE THAT WE HAVE EVER BEEN AND AS FAR
AS FLORIDIANS FEELING COMFORTABLE, DO THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL MARKET?
WE DON'T CONTROL THE FINANCIAL MARKET.
>> DR. JACK NICHOLSON WHO HAS HEADED THE FUND SINCE 1994 SAYS THE FUND HAS ONLY HAD
TO BORROW MONEY IN THE BOND MARKET ONCE IN ITS 20 YEAR HISTORY.
THAT WAS IN 2006 FOLLOWING THE RECORD STORM SEASON SINCE 2004 IN 2005,
WHEN EIGHT NAMED STORMS STRUCK FLORIDA.
FLORIDIANS ARE CURRENTLY PAYING A 1.3% ASSESSMENT ON ALL
OF THEIR INSURANCE POLICIES TO REPAY THAT BOND.
THE 2013 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS JUNE 1 AND OVER THE NEXT COUPLE
OF WEEKS STATE AGENCIES ARE GOING TO BE CONDUCTING THEIR ANNUAL HURRICANE DRILLS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HELD ITS READINESS EXERCISE FRIDAY
BY TESTING THE FOOD FOR FLORIDA PROGRAM.
IN EMERGENCIES MANY FAMILIES COME TO MOBILE SITES TO SIGN UP FOR TEMPORARY FOOD ASSISTANCE.
IF THEY QUALIFIED THEY ARE GIVEN STATE ISSUED EBT CARDS TO BE USED
AT GROCERIES STORES AND CONVENIENCE STORES.
THE LAST TIME THE PROGRAM WAS ACTIVATED WAS IN 2005 AFTER HURRICANE WILMA HIT FLORIDA
AND SINCE THEN A LOT HAS CHANGED.
>> IT WAS A VERY LONG PROCESS AND IT WAS A VERY PAPER-INTENSIVE PROCESS.
NOW IT'S A MATTER OF DAYS.
ONCE A DISASTER IS DECLARED, WITHIN 10 DAYS IT'S UP AND RUNNING AND IT TAKES THREE DAYS
TO GET YOUR BENEFITS AND IT'S A VERY FAST AND SIMPLE PROCESS.
>> EMPLOYEES PLAYED THE ROLE OF VICTIMS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.
IT WAS ALSO A CHANCE FOR THE DEPARTMENT
TO TEST ITS NEW FRAUD PREVENTION TECHNIQUES DURING A DISASTER DRILL.
>> THERE ARE THOSE FOLKS THAT TARGET OUR PROGRAM AND I THINK YOU SAW IT AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA.
THERE WAS SOMETHING LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS IN FRAUD SO FOR US,
IT'S ENERGIZING INTEGRATING THE PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THE BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE.
>> FLORIDA IS THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO INTEGRATE THOSE FRAUD-FIGHTING TECHNIQUES
INTO ITS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCESS.
DCF SECRETARY DAVID WILKINS HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE TO SPREAD THE WORD TO THOSE THINKING
ABOUT TRYING TO DEFRAUD THE SYSTEM, DON'T EVEN TRY IT.
SINCE MARCH APPLYING FOR TEMPORARY FOOD OR TAX ASSISTANCE
IN THE ORLANDO AREA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE NEW FRAUD PREVENTION UPGRADE.
APPLICANTS HAVE HAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS VERIFYING THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE
IN AN EFFORT TO CURB IDENTITY THEFT.
THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT
WHICH ADMINISTERS THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IS THE NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP STOP PEOPLE
FROM CHEATING THE SYSTEM BEFORE THEY EVEN TAKE A DIME.
>> THIS APPLICATION IN OUR TWO-MONTH STUDY
OVER 138,000 APPLICANTS HAVE IDENTIFIED THREE TIMES MORE POTENTIAL FRAUD THAN WE SUSPECTED
IN THE ORIGINAL THAT WE PUT TOGETHER.
SO WE HAVE NOW FINISHED THIS PILOT PROJECT.
>> IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMER TECHNOLOGY A NEW VERIFICATION SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
TO MAKE SURE APPLICANTS MEET INCOME REQUIREMENTS.
LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ISSUED $27 MILLION
IN TEMPORARY FOOD MEDICAL AND CASH ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
90% OF THE 5 MILLION APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WERE RECEIVED ON LINE.
LAWMAKERS PUT $5 MILLION IN THE STATE BUDGET TO HELP FUND THE FRAUD PREVENTION EFFORT
TO HAVE BUDGET IS AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE WITH A NEW FRAUD PREVENTION EFFORT
TO SAVE OVER $90 MILLION NEXT YEAR ALONE.
A PANEL OF THREE JUDGES WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE PRIVATIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES
FOR INMATES SHOULD GO FORWARD IN CENTRAL AND NORTH FLORIDA.
TUESDAY THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS IN TALLAHASSEE HEARD THE CASE.
THE LEON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE SAID IT WAS APPROVED ONLY BY A LEGISLATIVE PANEL
AND NOT BY THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE.
HE DID ALLOW PRIVATIZATION TO GO FORWARD IN SOUTH FLORIDA
BECAUSE IT WAS CLEARLY DESIGNATE IN THE BUDGET.
AT TUESDAY'S HEARING JUDGES ASKED LAWYERS IF THE PRIVATIZATION ISSUE IS MOOT
BECAUSE IT WAS TIED TO THE CURRENT BUDGET YEAR.
>> THE TIME IS TOO SHORT FOR ANYTHING TO BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND THE EXPIRATION
OF THE APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR THIS YEAR.
>> ATTORNEYS FOR THE STATE ARGUED THAT THE PRIVATIZATION COULD STILL GO FORWARD
IF THE COURT RELEASES AN OPINION SOON.
THE STATE ALSO SAYS THIS CASE SETS AN IMPORTANT PRECEDENT ON THE AUTHORITY
OF STATE AGENCIES TO CONTRACT OUT SERVICES.
A REPORT CARD ON CRIME RELEASED THURSDAY SHOWS FLORIDA'S CRIME RATES DROPPED IN 2012.
THE ANNUAL UNIFORM CRIME REPORT WAS RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IT SHOWS THAT THE OVERALL CRIME RATE DROPPED 6.5% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
FDLE SAID THAT TRANSLATES TO 43,536 FEWER CRIMES IN 2012 THAN IN 2011.
VIOLENT CRIMES DROPPED 4.3% THOUGH THERE WERE INCREASES IN TWO CATEGORIES OF CRIMES,
HOMICIDE AND FORCIBLE SEX OFFENSES.
THE CRIME WITH THE BIGGEST DROP WAS BURGLARY, DOWN ALMOST 10%.
YOU CAN READ THE FULL REPORT AT FDLE.STATE.FL.US.
A SMALL TOWN DISPUTE OVER UTILITIES WAS FRONT AND CENTER THIS WEEK DURING A HEARING
AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
AS A RESULT THE TINY COMMUNITY MAY BE PART OF THE ELECTRIC GRID
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE ISLAND'S HISTORY.
"CAPITOL UPDATE'S" GARY WILLIAMS JOINS US WITH A LOOK
AT THE STRUGGLE SOME RESIDENTS HAVE WAITED DECADES TO RESOLVE.
>> KRYSTA IT HAS BEEN A HAVEN FOR THOSE LOOKING TO LIVE IN THE SO-CALLED GREEN COMMUNITY
WHERE SOLAR IS THE PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCE AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR POWER TRANSMISSION LINES.
OVER THE YEARS A GROWING NUMBER OF RESIDENTS SAY THE SOLAR PANELS, GENERATORS
AND BATTERIES POWERING THEIR HOMES ARE NOT ENOUGH.
>> IT'S NOT DOABLE TO LIVE UNDER PURE SOLAR
BECAUSE WHEN MY ELECTRICITY GOES DOWN MY WIFE LOOKS AT ME.
>> RESIDENTS JIM NEWTON AND CORY BOCCI WERE IN TALLAHASSEE TUESDAY FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE.
THE ISLAND COMMUNITY OF 43 HOMES WAS FIRST DEVELOPED MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO.
ELECTRIC SERVICE WAS NEVER EXTENDED TO THE ISLAND
BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO HOOK UP SO FEW RESIDENTS.
MANY ARE TIRED NOW, WITH THE COST OF KEEPING GENERATORS GOING
WHEN SOLAR DOESN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH POWER TO COOL THEIR HOMES.
>> IT'S FOOLISH TO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE 43 HOMES OPERATING DUPLICATE SYSTEMS
THAT COST MORE THAN 30,000 EACH.
>> 26 OF THE ISLANDS' 43 HOUSEHOLDS PAY $800,000 TO HAVE POWER LINES EXTENDED TO THEIR ISLAND.
MONROE COUNTY OFFICIALS REFUSED TO ISSUE PERMITS TO CONNECT THE LINES TO RESIDENTS' HOMES,
CITING A VIOLATION OF THE COUNTY CONFERENCE OF ROAD MANAGEMENT PLAN
THAT PREVENTS ANY PUBLIC UTILITIES ON THE ISLAND.
>> THAT WHOLE STATUTORY SCHEME AS A BEDROCK PRINCIPLE IS BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE FORM
OF SAFE EVACUATION OF THE KEYS BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE ROAD IN AND ONE ROAD OUT.
>> LONGTIME RESIDENT ALICIA PUTNEY DOES NOT AGREE WITH HER NEIGHBORS.
SHE JOINED MONROE COUNTY IN OPPOSING THE HOOKUP
AND TOLD THE PSC THEY SHOULD LEAVE THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE.
>> WE THE MEMBERS OF THE SOLAR COMMUNITY ARE PROUD OF OUR SELF-SUFFICIENT LIFESTYLE.
IT IS PART OF WHO WE ARE.
WE HAVE EVOLVED INTO A SOLAR COMMUNITY THAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GROW
AS THE MODEL FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT KNEW THAT IT WAS OFF THE GRID.
>> PUTNEY IN MONROE COUNTY ARGUES THE PSC HAS NO AUTHORITY TO INTERFERE
WITH THE COUNTY'S GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN.
COMMISSIONERS DISAGREED.
>> I THINK THERE IS A CLEAR DELINEATION AND STATUTORY AUTHORITY GIVEN
AS THE THIRD DCA REPEATED AND STATED, AND I AM CONFUSED WHY THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS BEFORE US
BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN ADJUDICATED AND DECIDED BY THE DCA.
>> ULTIMATELY THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY AND RESIDENTS WERE ENTITLED TO JOIN THE GRID
IF THEY WANTED BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO.
>> AS WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT COMES BEFORE US, THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT THE CUSTOMER
AND I DO BELIEVE IT IS A SUPPLEMENTAL RIGHT AND I HAVE HEARD THAT FROM OTHER WASTEWATER
AND ELECTRIC SERVICES AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE YEARS.
>> MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MET WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND AGREED NOT
TO APPEAL THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION'S DECISION.
THOSE RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO HOOK UP TO THE POWER GRID WILL BE ABLE TO BUT THEY WILL FIRST HAVE
TO GET PERMISSION FROM A JUDGE, SO TECHNICALLY THE COUNTY CANNOT ISSUE A PERMIT
UNDER THE CURRENT RULES.
KRYSTA THE COUNTY COMMISSION SAYS THEY WILL NOT CHALLENGE THE COURT ORDER.
>> THANKS GARY.
THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE REAPPOINTMENT OF 42 PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THIS WEEK.
THE SENATE DID NOT APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS DURING SESSION
SO THE GOVERNOR HAD TO REAPPOINT THEM.
THE SENATE WILL HAVE TO CONFIRM THOSE APPOINTMENTS DURING THE NEXT SESSION
FOR THE PEOPLE CHOSEN SO THEY WON'T BE APPOINTED AGAIN.
WE HAVE MORE IN THIS WEEK IN REVIEW.
[music]
>> FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES GATHERED TUESDAY MORNING TO REFLECT AND PAY TRIBUTE
TO THE 44 CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HELD A FALLEN OFFICERS MEMORIAL CEREMONY
AT THE HARRY SINGLETARY JR. TRAINING ACADEMY IN CRAWFORDVILLE SOUTH OF TALLAHASSEE.
OFFICERS WERE HONORED WITH THE LAYING OF A WREATH, 21-GUN SALUTE AND THE PLAYING OF TAPS.
MICHAEL CREWS OFFERED REMARKS AND HONORS FOR THE OFFICERS.
>> TODAY IS THE DAY TO REMEMBER AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THE 44 MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR DEPARTMENT
WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WITH THEIR LIVES.
I CAN TELL YOU THEY ARE NOT JUST 44 MEMBERS OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE 44 MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY IN THIS DEPARTMENT.
LOOK ACROSS HERE THIS MORNING, WE ARE FAMILY.
WHEN WE LOSE ONE OF OUR OWN, WE TAKE IT PERSONAL.
>> FORTUNATELY NO OFFICER'S NAMES WERE ADDED TO THE MEMORIAL THIS YEAR,
HOWEVER THE MOST RECENT FATALITY OCCURRED IN MARCH OF 2012 WHEN SERGEANT RUBIN H. THOMAS,
III OF COLUMBIA CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WAS STABBED BY AN INMATE.
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE STATE'S LARGEST AGENCY,
HAS BEEN HONORING FALLEN OFFICERS WITH THE MEMORIAL SINCE 1991.
FLAGS ACROSS THE STATE WERE LOWERED TO HALF-STAFF WEDNESDAY
IN OBSERVANCE OF PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY.
EACH YEAR SINCE 1962 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES
TO PROTECT THEIR COMMUNITIES ARE RECOGNIZED ON MAY 15.
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT DIRECTED THAT THE FLAGS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE
OF FLORIDA BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF AT ALL LOCAL AND STATE BUILDINGS
TO HONOR THE STATE'S FALLEN OFFICERS.
NATIONWIDE, 120 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY
IN 2012 INCLUDING FIVE IN FLORIDA.
ANANTH PRASAD, FLORIDA'S TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY, IS HEADING TO CHILE
WITH THE GOVERNOR ON A TRADE MISSION.
THE LEADER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS HE
AND THE GOVERNOR WILL BE JOINED BY SEVERAL DIRECTORS.
PRASAD TALKED ABOUT THE TRADE MISSION ON THIS WEEKS EDITION OF FLORIDA "FACE TO FACE."
>> THE GOAL THERE IS TO CONTINUE TO GO ON AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPROVEMENTS WE ARE MAKING
TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SEAPORTS TO ATTRACT AND CHANGE THOSE IMPORT-EXPORT TRADE ROUTES,
AND IF THEY ARE GOING TO SAVANNAH OR MOBILE, TO TRY TO GET THEM
TO MOVE TO ONE OF OUR FLORIDA PORTS.
THAT IS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF IT.
>> PRASAD TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING HOW THE DEPARTMENT FARED
IN THE BUDGET PROCESS AND WHAT CHANGES FLORIDIANS WOULD SEE ON THE ROADWAYS.
YOU CAN VIEW THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ON FLORIDA "FACE TO FACE"
ON OUR WEB SITE, THEFLORIDACHANNEL.ORG.
THIS WEEK, THE FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION RESCUED AN ENDANGERED FLORIDA
PANTHER KITTEN.
THE AGENCY GOT A CALL FROM A HOMEOWNER
IN COLLIER COUNTY REPORTING A PANTHER KITTEN DRAGGING ITS REAR LEG.
A BIOLOGIST SAID THEY SEDATED IT.
VETERINARIANS DETERMINED THAT THE PANTHER IS A FEMALE, ABOUT NINE MONTHS OLD.
SHE HAD A BROKEN LEG AND OTHER INJURIES, PROBABLY FROM BEING HIT BY A CAR.
SHE WILL HAVE SURGERY AND WILL BE CARED FOR UNTIL SHE IS HEALTHY ENOUGH TO BE RELEASED.
WILDLIFE EXPERTS SAY FEWER THAN 200 ADULT PANTHERS REMAIN IN THE WILD IN SOUTH FLORIDA.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLORIDA PANTHERS
AND HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE THEM, GO TO FLORIDAPANTHERNET.ORG.
AND THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF "CAPITOL UPDATE."
FROM ALL OF US, THANKS FOR WATCHING.
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