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As American prepares to honor those who served our country, stunning statistics about retired soldiers still haunt our nation. One in every five homeless people is a veteran. More than 11-hundred US soldier committed suicide since 2005. As Whitney Ray tells us, as the country prepares to honor these vets, a new program is promising hope to those who answered the call of duty.

FSU ROTC Junior Lee Schafer is honoring US troops killed in Vietnam. Lee and dozens of other students are walking the walls of this Vietnam War Memorial for 24 hours in remembrance.

“Everyone who calls themselves an American citizen should remember those who have sacrificed their lives,” said Schafer.

But many have been forgotten and more than a billion dollars worth of benefits for Florida veterans goes unclaimed every year. A program launched four months ago is helping vets find the services they are entitled to. Florida Vets Connects gives veterans the option to find out more about benefits, by checking a box on their drivers licenses renewal form. CFO Alex Sink helped launch the program, with no added cost to taxpayers.

“They’ve lost contact. They’ve continued on with their regular lives and they don’t know about everything they may qualify for,” said Sink. .

So far 50-thousand veterans have taken advantage of the program. The soldiers are emailed information about health care benefits, education, home loans and tax breaks. The help comes as researchers try to find out why the suicide rate among veterans is higher then the general public.
The Department of Defense is giving Florida State University 17 million dollars to find out why. The goal isn’t just to pinpoint the cause, but to also find a prevention.

From now until 11:00 tomorrow morning Florida State University ROTC students will march in honor of US Troops who fought in Vietnam.

The vigil began today at 11:00. Two students every hour will pick up their ceremonial rifles and march along the walls of the Tallahassee Vietnam Memorial. The memorial holds the names of Florida soldiers who died in combat or went missing in action. FSU Junior Lee Schafer says every year for the past 20 years the vigil has moved people.

“We always at the closing ceremonies every year, we have a lot of people who come out and watch the final ceremony. It’s a powerful showing,” said Schafer.

Nearly 2-thousand Florida soldiers were killed in Vietnam.

Floridians are willing to pay more to save the environment and lower energy costs.

A survey commissioned by Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit research group, found 80 percent of Floridians want their elected leaders to support more renewable energy programs. 70 percent say they’re willing to pay a dollar or more a month on their electric bill to fund renewable programs. The survey was conducted right after the midterm elections. Dominic Calabro, CEO of TaxWatch, says Florida’s new governor and state cabinet need to take a serious look at the research.

“I think the Florida taxpayers and Florida voters are willing to be lead. They need to be lead with specific and pragmatic solutions that have long term benefits that stimulate the economy, help their communities, and also help them protect and preserve the environment,” said Calabro.

The most favorable form of renewable energy is solar. According to TaxWatch, a deliberate move to renewable energy could create 95-thousand direct and indirect jobs over the course of the next few years.

The governor and members of the Florida cabinet have 54 days to leave their mark on Tallahassee before their terms end and their successors take office. But the lame duck cabinet isn’t just quacking. As Whitney Ray tells us, protection for seniors, improving the foreclosure process and maybe even a pardon deceased Doors front man Jim Morrison are in the works.

Fresh off a shellacking in the US Senate race, but showing no signs of defeat, Governor Charlie Crist came back to Tallahassee Tuesday to tackle state issues.

Crist plans to finish strong and return to private life when his term ends in January, but before he goes he may pardon Jim Morrison for indecent exposure and profanity in Miami in 1969.

“I’m certainly willing to consider it. Why not?”

Crist isn’t the only short timer with an agenda. Defeated Gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink is asking the state legislature to protect seniors from fraud when they meet in special session next week.

“There is a risk management bill that the governor vetoed, that I’m encouraging them to override,” said Sink.

Attorney General Bill McCollum lost in the gubernatorial primary. He may become a lobbyist, but before he leaves office he wants to stop health care reform and make the foreclosure process better in Florida.

“The foreclosure issue is really, really a pressing issue right now,” said McCollum.

The three politicians have just over seven weeks to put their final stamps on their offices. Much of that time will be spent helping their successors measure the drapes. Former Governor Bob Martinez lost his bid at a second term in 1990. He says the final push is all about the transition.

“What you want to do is cooperate as much as you can to be sure it’s a good transition. You want to leave that way. You want to leave where there are no hiccups,” said Martinez.

And the process is already underway. Crist meet with Governor-Elect Rick Scott Tuesday. He told the newcomer, “Follow your heart.”

100 thousand Floridians are losing their federal unemployment benefits. Three federally funded unemployment programs are ending soon. The programs are the additional compensation pay program, the emergency pay, and extended benefits. Agency for Workforce Innovation Spokesman Robbie Cunningham says the agency will work overtime to help answer questions about the programs.

“We are extending our hours especially throughout the holidays for those who have questions, we will be open on Veterans Day and we will be open on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving,” said Cunningham.

For more details on which programs are ending and when visit www.floridajobs.com

“People are Strange,” but so is politics. Before Tuesday’s election, not one would have thought Doors front man Jim Morrison, who died of a drug overdose in 1971, would have a shot at a pardon for indecent exposure and profanity during a 1969 Miami concert, but now that Governor Charlie Crist is a short timer, here’s what he had to say about a possible pardon for Morrison.

“Yeah I am considering it and I think I want to get a sense from the other cabinet members, what they’re feeling might be, but I’m certainly willing to consider it,” said Crist.

The next Clemency Board hearing is scheduled for December 9th. That will be Crist’s last. All eyes will be on the governor to see if he can help Morrison “Break on Through to the Other Side” of the law.

Ten years ago today, Floridians began a 37 day roller-coaster as they cast ballots in the most disputed election in our nation’s history. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, several key decisions forever changed the outcome of the November 7th, 2000 election.
The infamous Palm Beach butterfly ballot got the initial blame, then chads, hanging pieces of paper sticking to punch card ballots.

“When you put it in the machine, it goes back up and closes,” Democrat activist Jon Ausman said.

I was the first to describe a chad to George Bush’s team.

“You’re the first person to mention that to me and that of course will be the subject of review and taking a close look at it,” James Baker, a Bush Advisor, said.

Little did we know that chads would be center stage as thousands came to protest.

For the next 37 days, the world was fixated on Tallahassee and who would be the new leader of the free world.

Mark Herron represented Al Gore. He wanted to make sure supervisors counted only overseas absentee ballots that were properly postmarked.

“There were laws in place that said they had to be postmarked with postmarks outside of the United States,” Herron said.”

Republicans painted that scenario as disenfranchising military voters. Democratic VP candidate Joe Lieberman said all overseas votes should counted and that probably changed the outcome.

“Lieberman blinked,” Herron said. “That is my view of the world. He understood the rules but he blinked.”

In the end the U.S. Supreme Court brought all vote counting to an end.

What followed were electronic voting machines, later abandoned after 18,000 votes disappeared in a Sarasota congressional race in 2006. Today, all of Florida uses the same style optical scan machines with a paper trail.

The 2000 election is the only time in US history that a president lost the popular vote but won the election. The other was Rutherford B. Hayes 1876 and Florida played a critical role in his election as well.

Less than half of Florida’s electorate voted in last week’s midterm elections. Negative campaigning and a growing distrust for government are being blamed for the low numbers. As Whitney Ray tells us, the low turnout means some politicians won office with support from just one in four registered voters.

For weeks leading up to the election FSU Sophomore Lizzie Solonari approached students and asked them to vote.

Lizzie is a member of FSU Public Interest Research Group. The organization helped increase young voter participation on campus but statewide students just didn’t vote.

“Right now people just aren’t aware of what’s going on,” said Lizzie.

The apathy toward voting carries an extra sting for Lizzie. She’s not a citizen and won’t be able to vote until she’s naturalized.

“It’s pretty frustrating. I feel like I don contribute a lot to society,” said Lizzie.

But it wasn’t just students staying home on Election Day. Just 48 percent of Florida’s registered voters cast ballots. That’s par for mid-term elections in the US, but when compared to elections in other industrialized nations it’s low. Voter turnout in countries like Italy Greece and Denmark is in the mid 80’s.

And with such a low voter turnout some candidates were able to win office with less than one in four voters casting a ballot in their favor.”

Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho says some politicians try to keep voters away from the polls, and they often use negative ads to build frustration.

“Negative advertising does create the image in people’s minds that there’s no one worthy to vote for,” said Sancho.

Carley Sattler voted, but many of her friends just weren’t interested.

“A lot of students weren’t even aware that there were elections,” said Carley.

In 2008 college students and blacks stormed the ballot box giving Democrats Congress and the White House. This year the Tea Party was more motivated, at for now they’re siding with Republicans.

For a county by county breakdown of voter turnout: http://enight.elections.myflorida.com/CountyStatusPage.aspx

People who were promised rebates for installing solar panels on their homes may only get half of what the state owes them. More than 13-thousand people who bought solar because of the promised rebate are still waiting for their checks. The state legislature say it will pay at least half, but as Whitney Ray tells us, many say that’s not good enough.

Brian Lockwood installed solar panels on his house in June, believing the state would make good on its promise to refund some of the cost.

When we caught up with Brian in September he still hadn’t been paid, because a 32 million dollar fund set aside for rebates was frozen.

“It’s pretty outrageous to offer a rebate and not come through with it,” said Brian.

Brian is still waiting for his check, but there’s good news, kind of. State lawmakers will call a special session November 16th, to override nine vetoes and unfreeze money for rebates.

“The remaining tranche of federal money that’s categorized to energy, lets consider using some of that money to pay off on a pro-rata share the solar rebate program,” said Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon.

But there’s a math problem facing lawmakers. The state owes 52 million dollars, but it only has 32 million dollars in the rebate fund. The answer maybe to pay people less than what they are owed.

The idea that some of his customers may not get their full rebates isn’t sitting well with Solar Panel installer Al Simpler.

“If you put a rebate into Sony and they owe you 400 dollars and they say well wait a minute we’re sorry we are only going to send you 200. Wouldn’t you be upset? You know, where’s the rest of my money,” said Simpler.

The original form typed up by the state seems to promise a full rebate, but in late 2007 a paragraph was added giving the legislature authority to reduce the amount of the rebates.

The Governor’s Energy Office is still reviewing the rebate program to decide how much money people seeking a rebate should be paid. Legislative leaders say once everyone is paid they’ll shut the program down and look for different ways to expand Florida’s solar market during the 2011 session in March.

Florida’s Department of Management Services is making some powerful enemies and losing an ally.

After overseeing the construction of a posh new 48 million dollar courthouse dubbed the Tallahassee Taj Majal, legislative leaders blamed DMS for wasting taxpayer money, even though the legislature approved the project. In an attempt to have more control of DMS the legislature passed a bill making the Department answer to the state cabinet instead of just the governor. Independent Governor Charlie Crist vetoed the bill, but now Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos says the legislature is going to override Crist’s veto.

“Republicans and Democrats embraced the idea period and whoever the new governor was would live with this and we think it’s a good idea. It passed overwhelmingly and we expect it to be the new policy,” said Haridopolos.

Now that both chambers have a Republican supermajority, overriding the bill is expected to take just a few minutes. The DMS overhaul bill is just one of nine vetoes incoming legislative leaders have targeted.

Florida’s incoming House Speaker and incoming Senate President are sending a message to Governor Charlie Crist. Today the legislative leaders in waiting announced their plans to call a special session to override nine bills Crist vetoed before the election. As Whitney Ray tells us, now that the GOP has a supermajority in both chambers little stands in their way.

Fresh off an election that gave Republicans a supermajority in the House and Senate, the men slated to take over the two chambers are wasting no time. Independent Governor Charlie Crist beat up the GOP this spring, vetoing 18 bills passed through the legislature. Now Incoming Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos have the numbers to override those vetoes.

“These are great public policies that passed with overwhelming majorities and they’re good ideas,” said Cannon.

Cannon and Haridopolos will take office Nov. 16th, immediately call a special session and ask the legislature to override nine vetoes and one budget item. Most the bills and the agenda passed with little contention. But while the more controversial issues are off the table for the special session, when lawmakers meet again in March for regular session anything goes.”

That means another attempt at merit pay for teachers and mandatory ultrasounds for women seeking an abortion could be pushed through. Crist vetoed both the items this past spring, but the governor-elect is more likely to sign off on the measures. Opponents of the ultrasound bill hope GOP lawmakers are too focused on jobs to tackle social issues.

And with a million people out of work and a governor-elect promising to create 700-thousand jobs, the economy will demand a lot of attention. The budget item the legislature will take up is a 10 million dollar allocation for Shands hospital in Gainesville. The money will help uninsured children and will also pull down matching federal Medicaid dollars.

The day after voters told lawmakers they no longer wanted them to draw district lines to control election results, two lawmakers cried foul. Amendment 6 will keep lawmakers from gerrymandering congressional districts. Suit was filed against the amendment yesterday in Miami. Amendment 5 will implements the same protections for legislative districts. Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos fought hard to keep the amendments from getting the 60 percent voter support needed to pass. Today he told reporters there’s no lawsuit against five on the horizon.

“I think that’s still something we are going to look at. I think voters spoke and I respect that very much, but I think there are still concerns,” said Haridopolos.

Even if state lawmakers don’t challenge the amendment, if a judge finds a problem with Amendment 6, then the judges ruling could be used to defend lawmakers if they decide not to follow the will of the people.

After months of waiting, Floridians trying to cash in on two government rebate programs may get their money. Legislative leaders announced plans today to free up 31 million federal dollars to pay back people who bought energy efficient air conditioners and solar panels for their homes. Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon says the legislature will make good on the promises when they come back for one day special session November 16th.

“Let’s try and make whole the folks in the HVAC program. Do our best to come up with someway to get some finality and some compensation to folks in our solar program and shut that down and take a more comprehensive look at it in regular session,” said Cannon.

People who bought energy efficient air conditioners will receive a 1,500 dollar check. Solar rebates vary, but can be more than 20-thousand dollars.

The GOP swept Florida’s elections claiming the governor’s mansion, all three cabinet seats, and a super majority in the legislature. But with great power comes great responsibility and as Whitney Ray tells us, if Republicans can’t deliver on jobs Democrats are ready to take them down in 2012.

Florida voters are sending a message to Tallahassee. They cast their ballots, giving Republicans the Governor’s mansion and a supermajority in the House and Senate.

Republicans carried the election promising to create jobs, lower taxes, and cut state government. But talk is cheap. Republican strategist Pete Dunbar says now they have to deliver.

“They’re all back up for election. It’s a reapportionment year so it’s not half the senate, it’s all the senate, all the members of the state legislature and they’re going to have to turn back and say here is what we did,” said Dunbar.

Governor-elect Rick Scott’s promise to cut state government by 10 percent and the prison budget in half has law enforcement running concerned

“I just hope people realize that state workers do a good job. They do a thankless job sometimes, they are underpaid and they are underappreciated,” said Matt Puckett, a spokesman with the Florida PBA.

Democrats call Scott’s plan unrealistic, but since the GOP has a supermajority in the legislature and a clean sweep in the state cabinet they’ll have to sit and watch.

But Democrats do have an ace in the hole although they can’t play it till 2012.
Amendments 5 and 6 passed. Now Republican leaders will no long be able to draw strange looking districts to make sure their party stays in power.

“There’s going to be an election here is just two year where every seat in the legislature will be up,” said Screven Watson, a Democratic Strategist.

But in the meantime, the onus is on Republicans to fix the state’s 11 percent unemployment rate, lower taxes, and cut government without eliminating essential services.

There were few problems this election in the grand scheme of things. 37-thousand Hillsborough County early ballots had to be rescanned, but that was handled fairly quickly. Results were slow coming out of Palm Beach County, but that has became par for the course. One reason Palm Beach is slow in reporting results is because there are no modems in the scanning machines and voter data from all the precincts have to be driven back to the courthouse before they can be tallied. Division of Elections Spokeswoman Jennifer Davis says

“It usually takes them a little bit more time because they have to physically bring the machines back to the supervisors office, but they processing. They got all their precincts done last night,” said Davis.

The Division of Elections is also praising a recent law reinstating paper ballots. They say the re-scan in Hillsborough would have been impossible without a paper trail.