State News

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Charlie Crist taps Don Winstead, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Children and Families to oversee the implementation of the federal stimulus package. Trimmel Gomes reports

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahassee, FL – With the state's prison population over 100 thousand, Florida is looking for ways to cut that number down. And as Lynn Hatter reports, that could start with revising the zero tolerance policy in public schools.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – State Representative Peter Nehr wants to make sure Progress Energy customers aren't stuck with the tab to build a new nuclear plant during these tough economic times. Trimmel Gomes reports.

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahassee, FL – Two legislators are proposing an overhaul to the state's abstinence only sex education requirements. Backing up the proposal is a new report by the Healthy Teens Campaign which says abstinence only education doesn't work. Lynn Hatter reports.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – U.S. Senator Bill Nelson has filed legislation to provide a federal backstop for Florida's Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Nelson's promoting yet another attempt at creating a federal fund to pool money to cover the costs of a major disaster. Trimmel Gomes reports.

By Tom Flanigan

Tallahassee, FL – The case of a young Broward County man is headed for the Florida Legislature this session. As Tom Flanigan tells us, the matter could impact the relationship between local governments and the insurance companies that sell them liability coverage.

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahassee, FL – The issue on how to balance the state's prepaid tuition program while the legislature considers a tuition increase has been temporarily solved by the Board of Governors. As Lynn Hatter reports, the BOG has brokered an agreement between it and the body which oversees the program to balance the tuition gap that could soon occur between the tuition plans and actual cost.

By James Call

Since the end of World War 11, Florida has relied on population growth to produce economic growth.

Tallahassee – When Florida Lawmakers gather in Tallahassee March 4th, the state of the economy is expected to dominate their Spring Legislative Session. James Call reports state leaders have been hearing a steady chorus of bad economic numbers and it appears the song will remain the same for some time to come.

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahasee, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum heard a state of the Black male report Tuesday. As Lynn Hatter reports, the state council charged with creating the report has a new list of recommendations for addressing the plight of black men.

By James Call

small businesses want the state to put more money into training people to work.

Tallahassee, FL – Now that the state of Florida has some money to spend, thanks to a federal stimulus package, different interest groups are building their Legislative agenda for when Florida lawmakers gather in Tallahassee next week. James Call reports the manufacturing association of Florida is looking for more money for job training.

By Tom Flanigan

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Charlie Crist's budget, released Friday, counts heavily on federal stimulus dollars to offset state revenue losses. But Tom Flanigan reports some Florida lawmakers are skeptical.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – Gov. Charlie Crist is defending his proposal to reduce emissions from new vehicles sold in Florida in the face of legislative criticism. Trimmel Gomes reports.

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahassee, FL – The Senate Pre-K to 12 Education Committee has began meeting in advance of the upcoming legislative session. But as Lynn Hatter reports, with further budget cuts sure to come, legislators are having a hard time cutting a budget that doesn't have much left in it to cut.

By Tom Flanigan

Tallahassee, FL – Three Tallahasseans have lived to tell the tale after some devastating injuries. Tom Flanigan asked them to share their stories and files this report.

For more information about traumatic brain injury, contact: 800-992-3442 or visit the website Brain Injury Association of Florida Inc

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahassee, FL – The U.S. Senate has passed the Economic Stimulus bill with a vote of 61 to 36. As Lynn Hatter reports, all the no votes were from Republicans with Florida Senator Mel Martinez included in that number.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – Florida's adoption of California's auto emissions standards hit a major speed bump Monday when it was found that Florida's rule making efforts were unconstitutional. Trimmel Gomes reports.

By Tom Flanigan

Tallahassee, FL – Florida's criminal justice system is bracing for yet another round of likely budget cuts. More from Tom Flanigan.

By James Call

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Charlie Crist thanked his Federal Stimulus Working Group several times Monday. James Call reports he then directed his agency heads to start spending more than $12 billion the state will get from Congress.

By james call

Crist says he's doing what "the people" tell him they want done.

state capital – Florida Governor Charlie Crist will try to make good on his promise to make property taxes "drop like a rock." James Call reports, he's preparing four separate tax proposals for the Spring Legislative Session.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – Despite a not so certain financial future, a state panel is back in business targeting about 11 thousand acres of land for Florida's signature land-buying program, Florida Forever. Trimmel Gomes reports.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Crist is "persona non grata" as far as many republican lawmakers are concerned because of his support for the stimulus package and his appearance with President Obama in Fort Myers. Trimmel Gomes reports.

By Trimmel Gomes

Tallahassee, FL – Governor Charlie Crist is getting pressure from opposite ends of the political spectrum over a pending Florida Supreme Court appointment. Trimmel Gomes has more.

By James Call

state capital – Two Florida lawmakers have a plan to capture what they call lost money. James Call reports they want to make it easier to apply the state's sales tax to stuff bought on the Internet.

By Lynn Hatter

Tallahassee, FL – The Economic Stimulus Package making its way through congress is allocating money for many things except foreclosures. As Lynn Hatter reports, Florida U.S. Senator Mel Martinez is calling on Congress to deal with the housing market, which he says is the root of the economic problems.

By James Call

A sales tax generates about a third of the state's revenue.

Tallahassee, FL – A new reports says the state's main source of money is becoming less productive. James Call reports a tax on sales is applied in fewer transactions than it was it was 40 years ago.