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Except for sparklers, most fireworks are illegal in Florida, but a loophole allows the sale of firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles at roadside stands. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, revelers beware.

If you’re looking for a bang, it’s easy to find.

Roadside stands like this one are popping up all over the state. The earlier they show up on the side of the road, the more likely they are to be licensed and complying with state law.

While sparklers are the only thing that’s legal in Florida, the law has a loophole so big, you can throw a stick of dynamite through it.

An agricultural exemption allows people to buy and sell just about anything, as long as they sign a waiver indicating the items are going to be used to scare birds or some other legitimate purpose.

CFO Alex Sink is urging people to attend sponsored fireworks, but if they must buy their own, to be careful.

“First and foremost, don’t buy any illegal fireworks,” Sink said. “There’s a reason why some fireworks are illegal and they need to be only be used by professionals.”

In 2007, at least 145 fires in Florida, costing almost a million dollars in damage, were caused by fireworks or sparklers.

“You can be liable for the damage caused by those structure fires, and God forbid anybody gets hurt in that process, but you can also be liable for any property damage that’s caused,” Cindy Dick, Tallahassee Fire Department Chief said.

The rule is that if it flies or explodes, it is illegal, and even if you sign a waiver, you can still be fined up to a thousand dollars for using fireworks illegally.

In addition to causing fires, illegal fireworks are also responsible for dozens of trips to emergency rooms each Fourth of July.

Ethics complaints are now pending against CFO Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum for their use of state planes. Both complaints were filed by people in the opposite political party as both Sink and McCollum vie to be the next Governor of Florida. Sink has ordered her office to investigate the use of state planes. She says the report could be ready soon.

“Well, I’m here to do the right thing,” Sink said. “I’m the one who called for the logs to be put on the web so that any Florida citizen could see how the state plane is being used, and certainly with this review that I’ve asked my office to do about our use of the state plane. My total intent is to absolutely do the right thing.”

Who’s using the state plane and what was paid is now posted on the internet for all to see. You can find the information here: http://dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/specialized_services/aircraft_operations/state_aircraft_flight_information

If you’re planning to visit a Florida state park, be prepared to pay more. In an effort to keep from shutting down some of the sites, park fees went up July 1st. As Whitney Ray tells us, the price is up, but that hasn’t changed the plans of thousands of Floridians who will hike, swim, and camp at Florida’s 160 state parks this weekend.

The Laudermilch Family is visiting 10 state parks over the holiday weekend.

“You get to see what nature is really like. The kids become interested in nature and preserving it and seeing what God has created for us,” said Von Laudermilch.

And at Wakulla Springs State Park there’s plenty to see.

“Seeing all the wildlife, in general is pretty fun,” said Jeffery, Von’s son.

Viewing Florida’s natural beauty at the state’s hottest sites just got more expensive. The price of admissions at Florida’s state parks is up. Entry per car increased between one and three dollars depending on the park. Camping will cost an extra four bucks.

Even though the price has gone up, you wouldn’t know it by the crowd at Wakulla Springs. Jennifer Darnell paid six dollars to bring three kids to the park.

“Six dollars is a bargain when it keeps them occupied. I can stay out here for hours with them and it keeps them busy,” said Jennifer.

The increase will help the state park system keep all of its sites open.

“During this year’s legislative session we had a few budget cutting exercises. One of them included the temporary closure of 19 state parks,” said Jessica Kemper, the Information Director of the Florida Parks Service.

Last year 20 million people visited Florida’s state parks. The price hike isn’t expected to curb attendance. To view a list of the new entry and camping fees at Florida’s 160 state parks go to http://www.floridastateparks.org/information/docs/DayUseEntranceFees.pdf

If you’re looking to buy your first home the state has 8-thousand dollars with your name on it. The state is advancing a federal tax credit for first time homebuyers. As Whitney Ray tells us, the move will help bridge the gap for people who can afford mortgage payments, but can’t find the money to get the ball rolling.

At the height of the foreclosure crisis, banks began to tighten their belts. No-money-down mortgages disappeared… closing the door for many Floridians looking to buy a house. Now the state is offering down payment assistance to first time homebuyers.

“With this added bonus of $8,000 up front to be used as down payment assistance, that’s going to increase the pool of people who can buy houses by quit a bit,” said John Sebree with the Florida Association of Realtors.

The state is setting aside 30 million dollars for the program. The money will be loaned to people who qualify for the federal 8-thousand dollar first time homebuyer tax credit.

To qualify you can’t make more than 75,000 dollars a year. Families with two household incomes can’t make more than 150,000.

The money will be available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, known as the SHIP program. SHIP has an office in every Florida county. The money won’t be available until early August, but the application process is already underway.

“These purchases need to close by November 30th of this year. So they really need to go out there find a home get a deal put together and close November 30th,” said General Council for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Wellington Meffert.

People who receive an advance will have 18 months to pay it back. A list of offices to help you receive an advance on the money can be found at www.floridahousing.org

Good News For Home Builders

There are 300,000 empty houses in Florida. If the first time homebuyer program is successful, some of the excess inventory will be soaked up and provide hope for the state’s 175,000 construction workers looking for a job. David Hart, a spokesman for the Florida Home Builders Association, says if the housing market turns around the rest of the state will follow.

“Housing and construction have always been one of the foundations one of the strongest pillars of Florida’s economy. It has suffered quite a bit in the last two years, but I’m positive it will comeback strong,” said Hart.

The construction industry continues to be the hardest sector hit when it comes to the state’s 10.2 percent unemployment rate.

The Florida Realtors Association wants to know what forced so many Floridians into foreclosure.

The association has launched a website with a survey for people who have lost their homes. Spokesman John Sebree said the association wants to put a face on foreclosure in the state.

“We find out that most of them have just been a lone number or a case number and no one has really asked them what their problems are; Did they lose a job, was there a divorce, was their child sick and in the hospital? There are so many things that lead to a foreclosure and no one has taken the opportunity to ask those questions,” said Sebree.

To share your story got to www.floridafaceofforeclosure.com

Protesters will be at the state capitol on the 4th of July to rally against wasteful government spending.

Federal Stimulus spending will be one of the key rallying points for the anti-tax protesters. A controversial plan to spend 3.4 million federal stimulus dollars to build an animal-crossing underneath a highway near Tallahassee has many of the protesters livid. Organizer Pace Allen said government spending has gotten out of control.

“We are concerned about the spending, bailouts, handouts, entitlements. These are not values that will make our country successful in the long run,” said Allen.

The protesters will rally at noon in Tallahassee in front of the historic state capitol.

Legislation deregulating phone companies went into effect today. The legislation allows your landline bill to go up by as much as 20 percent every year. As Whitney Ray tells us, while most people will be paying more, some will actually get a break on their bills.

For decades people trying to reach Sarah Simmons have dialed the same seven numbers. Sarah has a landline phone, but worries an increase in the amount she pays for service could force her to nix the line.

“That wouldn’t help me none, not with my income. I just have one income. I’m a senior citizen,” said Simmons.

New legislation removes state oversight of companies providing traditional landline service. Deregulating phone companies will allow rates to increase up to 20 percent every year.

Mary Jefferson says if her bill goes up she’s cancelling her service.

“I like my cell phone, I love my landline to, but if you can’t afford both of them you make a choice and that choice would be to take the cell phone,” said Mary.

Quality control and billing problems will also be out the state’s control. Until Wednesday the State Public Service Commissioner handled customer complaints about landline problems.

“We are now regulating basic service only, single line service,” said Cindy Muir.

While the changes may cost most customers more, Floridians with basic service are exempt from any increases. The legislation also expanses eligibility for Lifeline service, a program providing discounts for low income families.

Three of the state’s top elected officials have racked up 51-thousand dollars in questionable travel expenses. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp are under fire for their use of the state planes. As Whitney Ray tells us, Sink has flown family members on the state planes, and McCollum has ordered empty planes from Tallahassee to pick him up near Orlando for state business.

No one has used the state planes this week. Both planes are undergoing maintenance in Tallahassee.

It’s a Tuesday in Tallahassee and three of the state’s top elected officials aren’t at the capitol. The Attorney General, The Chief Financial Officer and the Governor are all in South Florida raising campaign money. The only elected officials in the capitol Tuesday were the ones not running for office.

Their absence raises questions about the use of state planes. CFO Alex Sink has asked her office to review her travel expenses. She also reimbursed the state for flying family members. Republican Party contributor Jose Lorenzo filed an ethics complaint against Sink.

“Some of the stops had no state work purpose whatsoever. It really concerned me,” said Lorenzo.

Sink has called for all state plane use to be listed on the internet. No one from Sink’s office would talk on camera about her travel expenses.

Attorney General Bill McCollum is also catching heat for his travel. Spokeswoman Sandi Copes says money McCollum spent ordering empty planes to pick him up near Orlando is justified.

“It’s tough to travel throughout Florida. There are only a few flights in and out of Tallahassee, so that’s why he makes sure when he needs the state plane he uses it effectively and again he only uses the state plane for official state work,” said Copes.

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp was the first to catch heat over his use of the planes. Kottkamp cut the state a 10,000 dollar reimbursement check to make amends.

More than 900 people in Florida have been infected with swine flu, including two deaths. Nationwide the number stands at more than a million cases. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, Florida is making plans for a mass vaccination should the federal government decide it is necessary.

With Swine Flu in 100 countries and 900 cases confirmed here in Florida, the state health department is saying for the first time that it is gearing up should federal officials order mass immunizations.

“It still hasn’t been determined exactly how that will proceed, but we’re working very closely with all our partners at the national level to make sure that we’re all prepared and that we’re able to deploy whatever recommendations come down,” Florida Surgeon General Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros said.

A mass immunization is far from certain. It could include cooperation from schools, hospitals, medical clinics, large employers and private doctors.

The most likely timetable for beginning mass vaccinations is either October or November.

A statewide plan for mass vaccinations has been in place since 2001. State health officials will  spend the month of July fine-tuning the plan which is now more complex because a swine flu immunization will likely be not one, but two shots.

“There’s going to be seasonal flu vaccines, and there may be the potential for H1N1 swine flu vaccine,” Doc Kokol with the Florida Department of Health said. “And we need to work out the details as to transportation and distribution of the vaccine.”

Despite two deaths in Florida and 127 nationwide, most symptoms have been mild. Whether the plan for mass immunizations becomes operational will depend in part on what is happening in the rest of the world.

Officials continue to stress frequent hand washing, coughing into you arm, and staying home if you are sick as the best ways to prevent the H1N1 virus from spreading.

161 new laws go into effect Wednesday.  They include higher tuition, drivers license fees, and a dollar increase for a pack of cigarettes. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, In addition to digging into you pocket, state government might also save you some money.

You can save money buying energy efficient appliances, but you’ll pay more if your child loses a textbook.

Smokers will pay a dollar a pack more, but taking a plastic knife to school will no longer get you expelled.

And land line phone companies will no longer be told how much they can charge.

But the state will start keeping track of which doctors are prescribing dangerous drugs and to whom.

Local governments can no longer charge you for showing up at an accident. But Drivers license and fishing fees are going up.

“Many of these fees now place Florida in a position that is very comparable to many of the other states nationwide,” Dave Westberry with the Department of Highway Safety said. “We had had a pretty good deal for a long time.”

Tuition at state universities is also going up, by 15 percent. None of it is covered by Bright Futures.

And just getting arrested for a felony will send your DNA to a database, but police will have to use more care recruiting confidential informants.

You will also be able to pay your property taxes in installments, for a fee. If you don’t like the assessment, appeals are going to be a little easier to win.

For parents, enrolling your child in Healthy Kids will get easier and the wait won’t be as long.

And if you are a die-hard fan of a university, you can remain loyal even after you die. New legislation allows your ashes to be stored on campus.

All told, 271 bills passed this year. Some have no effect on you personally, but others could cost you a bundle.  There is a chance to save some money if you act soon. While the legislation to hike drivers license fees takes effect July first, the actual fees don’t increase until September.