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Inmates on Florida’s Death Row have an equal chance of dying from old age as they do from lethal injection. Since 1993, 74 death row inmates have gone to their maker, but only half of them died from execution. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, even supporters believe the system is broken.

Florida has four death row inmates over age 70. William Cruse, who opened fire in a grocery store, is 82. 54 others sentenced to death have already turned 60.

Some have been on death row more than three decades. Larry Spalding used to run the agency credited with keeping many of them alive and he says those with a lengthy stay will likely never be executed.

“They really have all but gone insane,” Spalding said. “Those cases are being resolved the way that live without parole is being resolved, they will die in prison.

Since 1993, Florida has executed 37 people. But just as many death row inmates have died of other causes.

Frank Valdez died at the hands of guards. The other 36 from bad health.

Prosecutors are livid.

“In my opinion, the governor ought to sit down and sign about 60 or 70 of them today,” Meggs said. “And let’s get started and do a couple a week, until we get caught up.”

But those who have fought the state and won say the backlog will never be cleared.

“Even if you got serious about the death penalty and we started executing one or two a month, you’d still never catch up,” Spalding said.

And even prosecutor Meggs concedes the way the death penalty is applied now makes it “totally Ineffective.”

At least one of the 37 who died from cancer on death row was posthumously exonerated by DNA after spending more than 15 years facing death.

FSU Head Coach Bobby Bowden and Governor Charlie Crist today accepted a check from Wal-Mart for $186 thousand dollars.

The money will pay for more than 2 hundred thousand ID kits though the National Child Identification Program. The kits will be given free of charge to all Florida kindergarten and first grade students next school year.  Director Kenny Hansmire and Bobby Bowden say the need is great.

“We found out that there’s over 800,000 children reported missing every year,” Hashmire said. “That’s one every 40 seconds. 350,000 are parent abductions, 56,000 are stranger abductions, and we have over 450, 000 runaways across America.”

“They are in the biggest danger,” Bowden said. “Anybody that reads the paper or watches television, have you ever seen there been more of a need for this, than right now? I mean, the timing is perfect, and I hope our whole nation gets behind it. I’ve got 21 grandchildren. My other ones are all old and gone, but I want to be sure that they participate in this.”

The kits contain an inkless fingerprint card and a swab for parents to take a DNA sample.

FSU Head Coach Bobby Bowden signed a helmet for Governor Charlie Crist this afternoon after the two participated in a child protection news conference. Recent reports suggest Bowden is anticipating another year at the helm of FSU despite pressure for him to step down. Crist reciprocated by giving Bowden unqualified support for another year.

Are you worried about being fired?

“I don’t worry about something like that,” Bowden said.

“I love him. He’s a great coach,” Crist said. “He’s done more, not only for the university, but for our state. And he continues to show it today.”

Crist says Bowden has been an asset for not only Florida State, but the entire State of Florida

A lawsuit filed in Tallahassee today claims the state is violating its constitutional obligation to provide a “high quality” education to Florida students. The suit claims budget cuts and an intense focus on test scores are limiting learning. As Whitney Ray tells us, the suit comes as lawmakers prepare for more cuts to fill an expected 2.6 dollar budget hole.

For the past four years teachers, students, and parents have been begging state lawmakers to save their schools from the budget ax. Despite their cry, billions have been cut from education. Schools are laying off teachers, cutting classes, and making due with less. Principle Rocky Hanna says the cuts are hurting students.

“I know there are lots of priorities, whether you are a firefighter, a policeman or you are a civil servant, but our kids, these kids deserve better,” said Hanna.

A group of non-partisan lawyers agree and joined parents to sue the state claiming the high quality education promised in Florida’s constitution has been compromised. Their argument hinges on an increasing focus on test scores and deep budget cuts. For the first time in Florida’s history less than half of all education funds come from the state leaving local governments scrambling to fill the gap.

Governor Charlie Crist says despite the burden shift in education funding and the recent reductions Florida schools are improving. Crist says he welcomes all points of view.

“I encourage anybody to participate in the improving of our education system in Florida and I think those people are well intended and I would encourage them to help us do better for Florida’s kids,” said Crist.

Five billion in stimulus money saved schools from even deeper cuts in 2009, but the money is gone after next school year. Also looming is a constitutional requirement calling for all schools to meet the class size restrictions on class-by-class bases. Right now schools are beating the measure by basing their numbers on school wide averages. Many principals say they won’t be able to meet the class size requirements.

The unemployment rate for veterans in Florida is two percent higher than the state average.

Veterans face challenges most of us will never understand. Some vets enlist in the military right out of high school and when they try to enter the workforce many of them lag behind in experience and education. Governor Charlie Crist held a roundtable discussion this morning to find out how the state can help.

“We want to make sure that veterans throughout the state of Florida have the opportunity to have gainful employment when they are done with their service to our country is something that is very important to our administration and you know what is happening at the Agency for Workforce Innovation, through employflorida.com and these other networking opportunities these wonderful, patriotic Americans have a greater opportunity to have employment when they are done with their service overseas,” said Crist.

Many veterans don’t know about help offered by the state to jobseekers. Crist is asking the state Department of Veteran’s Affairs to send letters to returning troops informing them of the state’s online job bank and help through AWI.

More than a third of Floridians say they’ve suffered a financial crisis over the past year; three out of four say they know someone who has lost a job.

The statistics were released as part of a new financial education initiative called Money Wise Florida. The initiative is being pushed by bankers and insurance agents. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink says Money Wise Florida will help struggling families learn how to make ends meet.

“Consumer confidence is extremely weak meaning Floridians everywhere are a little unsure about their family’s futures. These numbers really come as no surprise. Florida families are struggling right now and they need help to bring their budget in for a landing every month,” said Sink

The group has launched a website, www.moneywiseflorida.com and is planning to broadcast a statewide television program sometime next year. The content on the website and on-air will help Floridians get out of debt, sell or buy a home, and save for the future.

In Florida gay and lesbian couples can be foster parents, but there’s a state law keeping them from adopting. That law is being tested in court, and as Whitney Ray tells us, the gay adopting ban is now becoming a hot button issue in the governor’s race.

Horror stories of abuse, neglect and homelessness are all too common among children in the state’s care. So the state has stepped up efforts to match kids with couples, as long as those couples are straight. Chief Financial Officer and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink, wants state law changed to extend adopting rights to gay and lesbian couples.

“I think you have to go by every individual case and no one group or one individual ought to be automatically discriminated against the judge should make a decision about what’s best for the child,” Sink said.

Florida is the only state with an outright ban on gay adoption. A ban Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum is fighting to uphold in court. A judge ruled in favor of gay Miami man seeking to adopt his two foster children. McCollum says he supports the current law, but is keeping his personal point of view to himself.

“I’m not taking a personal position because I have a law to defend and I think as Attorney General I should be defending that law, you can ask me that question when that case is resolved,” said McCollum.

At the center of the debate are the children. Florida has 20 thousand foster kids looking for permanent homes. Some estimate lifting the ban would help 200 kids find homes every year. Finding homes for more foster kids would save the state millions.

A lack of funding for Florida’s tri-rail system is threatening to knock future rail projects off track.

State lawmakers are rushing to make a deal to secure federal dollars to build a commuter train from Deland through Orlando. A lack of funding for Tri-rail, which services Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach, is causing a hiccup in the plan. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos says besides the money the all the pieces are in place.

“When you look at the projects around the country, and you look at ones that are truly shovel-ready, when it comes to high-speed rail we are one of the few corridors. We own 92% of the property. We truly can get that project moving sooner rather than later. That’s what I’ve heard out of Washington, they want a project that they can get shovels moving and get some action immediately. I think Florida is not the only place, but one of the only places that can get a new high-speed rail system up and going,” said Kopelousos.

The federal government plans to award money this winter to states ready to move forward with rail projects, which means the clock is ticking for lawmakers who will have to find millions of dollars for Tri-rail. Governor Charlie Crist says he’s optimistic lawmakers will reach a deal in time to claim those federal dollars.

The state may have to allow State Farm to increase rates in order to keep the insurer in Florida.

Negotiations between the Office of Insurance Regulation and State Farm continue. A hearing to set guidelines for a State Farm pullout was postponed today, giving both sides an extra month to work on a deal. Today, Florida’s Insurance Commissioner, Kevin McCarty, addressed rumors that State Farm had been offered a 15 percent rate increase to stay in Florida.

“We’ll approve a rate increase, for State Farm or any other company that produces confident, substantial evidence to support their rate filing. Unfortunately, State Farm was unable to do that in the past. If they are able to substantiate a rate-increase in Florida, we will grant it. Obviously, we want our companies to not only maintain a presence in Florida, but have the financial wherewithal to pay their claims, said McCarty.

State Farm Announced it was dropping its homeowner’s policies after insurance regulators denied the company a 47 percent rate increase. At the time State Farm said it need the double digit hike to prepare for a major hurricane hitting Florida.

Florida retailers are preparing for a busy holiday shopping season a year after posting the worst sales numbers in 40 years. In 2008 Christmas sales in Florida fell seven percent. As Whitney Ray tells us, business is already picking up, and reasonable prices are expected to boost holiday sales.

Last holiday season the Grinch stole Christmas. In Florida sales hit a 40 year low, and the Florida Retail Federation didn’t highlight its yearly shopping predictions.

“Last year was so naughty that we didn’t even do this. We knew that last year was going to be a disaster so we didn’t even have a press conference,” said Rick McAllister.

This year retailers say Santa Clause is coming to town. Businesses are expecting a modest boost. Many, like JC Penney, are increasing holiday staff by 20 percent.

“We want our customers to be happy. If they shop more they are going to buy more,” said Kenneth DeHart, a JC Penney Store Manager.

If retailers are correct then the state is in for a Christmas bonus. The forecast comes after four straight months of Florida collecting more state revenues than economist predicted.

Since July state revenues have risen 130 million dollars above estimates. Susan Frisbee has noticed a change in consumer appetite. Susan sells handmade jewelry and ornaments. Last December sales dropped, but now she’s already selling Christmas gifts.

“I think it is a unique one of a kind type thing that people are looking for versus the mass produced cooking cutter type pieces,” said Susan.

And halving a niche market and reasonable prices may be the difference between a lump of coal and a stocking full of goodies for store owners. Retailers say this is not the year to procrastinate. Many stores are stocking fewer items and early deals could mean slim-pickings for last minute shoppers.

There is a glimmer of hope tonight that perhaps as many as half of the current customers of State Farm Insurance will be able to stay with the company. Negotiations continue between State Farm and the state, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, some agreement seems imminent.

After State Farm filed for a 47 percent rate hike, Governor Charlie Crist said it would be handled appropriately.

“I think you know what I mean by that—rejecting it,” Crist said.

After it was turned down, State Farm said  it was dropping all 800 hundred thousand of its homeowners’ policies.

The Governor again said, good riddance.

“I think that Floridians will be much better off without them,” he said.

But the state and State Farm have yet to agree on how the company will leave Florida. The sticking point is who would pick up the policies. Insiders say there aren’t enough private insurers to handle the avalanche.

“A lot of those policies would have to go to Citizens because the private insurance companies are still too few in number, we think, to pick up all those policies,” William Stander, with the Property and Casualty Insurance Association, said.

And growing the state-run insurer is not something the state can afford, financially or politically.

Regulators and State Farm have agreed twice to delay the trial over the company leaving.

Three people with knowledge of the negotiations say State Farm is being offered rate hikes in the neighborhood of 15 percent for two years running and an end to costly hurricane mitigation credits.  In exchange the company would keep about half its policies.

The insurance council says keeping State Farm would be good news.

“To have a company, a giant like State Farm, no longer participate in Florida, that’s not good for the market,” Florida Insurance Council Spokesman Sam Miller said.

A State Farm spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment until an agreement is reached.

Some insiders believe State Farm capitulating to the state would make it hard for other companies to negotiate with the state in the future. The state has consistently said customers will have at least six months notice before a State Farm policy is cancelled.

A plan to release 5,000 Prisoners to help make up for a projected 2.6 billion dollar budget shortfall is being discussed by lawmakers. The plan arose after the Florida Department of Corrections was asked to draft a budget with 10 percent fewer dollars. As Whitney Ray tells us, the likelihood of prisoners being released is low, but finding money to keep them locked up could lead to more layoffs.

Tonight in Florida 100-thousand people will go to sleep in a state prison cell. But a 2.6 billion dollar budget shortfall could mean a get-out-of-jail-free card for 5,000 inmates. The proposal comes as Florida’s Department of Corrections looks for ways to cut 224 million dollars from its budget.

“This is just a budget exercise. Every state agency is required to do one for this year, so that’s what we did, but we don’t anticipate having to do this. We are pretty hopeful we can work with lawmakers,” said Gretl Plessinger, a spokeswoman for DOC.

The suggestions DOC offered up include cuts to drug abuse programs, education programs, and closing offices.

The state could save 11 million dollars by closing three prisons, but the move could mean layoffs for correctional officers.

For the past three years, The Florida Police Benevolent Association has been fighting cuts that have put thousands of jobs at risk. PBA Executive Director David Murrell says law enforcement can’t stand any more reductions

“We are cut to the bone now and it is too the point were we just can’t do anymore. I don’t think the citizens will stand for it,” said Murrell.

But with Florida entering an election year and the governor fighting for votes, releasing prisoners and laying off correctional officers who’ve endorsed him isn’t likely.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is asking parents to double check their child’s safety seat.

Four out of every five seats are installed incorrectly, increasing the likely hood of injury of even death in a traffic accident. Marianne Trussell, Florida Department of Transportation’s Chief Safety Officer, says most parents don’t know the safety rules.

“We also see anywhere from the straps improperly installed. Sometimes people have them forward facing. They should be rear facing at least till 20 pounds and a year. Sometimes we see babies forward facing way too young,” said Trussell.

Today American Express donated 10-thousand dollars to the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Board. The money will be used to buy 200 child safety seats for families. Last year the Florida DMV used donations money to buy more than 5-thousand car seats.

Home sales are up in Florida by 33 percent over a year ago while foreclosure filings have fallen for the first time since July of 2006. As Whitney Ray tells us, the good news comes amid warnings that Florida is on the path to financial destruction.

Floridians are buying new houses at a pace of 3,600 a month, cashing in on an 8,000 dollar tax credit and falling prices. Sales rose 33 percent in the third quarter of this year. Prices fell 22 percent.

“We are seeing the beginnings of a turnaround here in Florida. The real estate market has been increasing sales month over month for the last 18 months,” said Trey Price with the Florida Association of Realtors.

Low mortgage rates, the extension of the first time homebuyer credit, and a new credit for people trading up to a more expensive home could keep the market afloat though the holiday season. It’s also keeping state government above water.

The uptick in home sales is having a positive impact on the state’s bank account. Last month home sales brought the state 11 million dollars more than expected.

For the fourth straight month Florida’s revenue collections exceeded expectations. But the good new comes amid gloomy financial predictions. The Pew Research Center says Florida is on the path to financial destruction. Florida TaxWatch says the report is a warning not fate.

“When the recession hit, it hit us first, it hit us harder, it’s going to last longer here in Florida as a result, so these tiny upticks that you see are tiny bubbles of uptick in the bottom of the bath tub where we still are. We’ve got quite a ways to go,” said Harvey Bennett with Florida TaxWatch.

But the journey from the bottom gets easier with each home sold and every family willing to open their wallets to furnish those homes. The Florida Association of Realtors says every home sale has a 60,000 dollar impact on the state’s economy.

Drugs and alcohol claim the lives of nearly 11 thousand Floridians every year.

The deaths result from overdoses, car wrecks, and violent acts committed by the drug abusers. The addicts are costing state, city and county governments an estimate 43 billion dollars a year in emergency room visits, crime scene investigations, and prison costs. Florida TaxWatch spokesman Harvey Bennett says drugs and alcohol also keep people from paying taxes and using their skills for the greater good.

“There is more than the hard cost of emergency room visits, traffic accidents, and other health related costs. There is a human cost in the loss of individuals in the work place, being productive citizens, contributing to the economy of Florida,” said Bennett.

The Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association are calling on state lawmakers to find funding for preventative programs. Studies show every dollar spent on prevention programs saves taxpayers an estimated nine dollars over time.