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The Department of Health missed a January first deadline to license five medical marijuana growers. The delay is frustrating both families and lawmakers.

Last May, State Senator Rob Bradley smiled and posed for pictures with the families of epileptic children. Bradley had just gotten the Senate to approve low thc marijuana.

“30 yeas, 9 nays, Mr. President. And so the bill passes.”

Growers Licenses were supposed to have been issued January first. They weren’t.

Bradley told us via phone today that  “I am frustrated that the January 1st deadline passed.”

Through three public hearings, parents with sick children were adamant.

Holly Mosley, with daughter RayAnn has been leading the fight for low thc marijuana in Florida. She appeared at all three public meetings in Tallahassee with almost identical messages I”m hear as a mother today who daily struggles with a child with epilepsy.”

The biggest reason for the delay is the Department of Health insisted on using a lottery to award licenses when every stakeholder told them for months they couldn’t do it. An Administrative law judge said no to the lottery of licenses in December. Jeff Sharkey, founder of the Medical Marijuana Business Association says the ruling should have been expected  “A lot of stakeholders said that’s not the best way to pick someone who is supposed to be growing and dispensing a pharmaceutical product. It should be the luckiest, it should be the most capable.”

Political Frustration over the delay is growing. State Representative Matt Gaetz sponsored the legislation in the House. “One of my own constituents was texting me images of his little girl, having to go to the emergency room for the second time in a week unable to control her seizures, so I am committed.”

Now DOH hopes to negotiate a new rule with potential license holders in early February…but even if they succeed, it will still be months before sick children and their families see the relief they so desperately need.

The Department of Health has scheduled a two day meeting with potential growers on February 4th and 5th.

A state lawmaker wants to crack down on city, county, and state workers who steal from taxpayers. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, current law doesn’t’t require stolen cash to be repaid.

A former Department of Revenue employee was given probation in 2013 after she stole more than 14 thousand dollars in sales taxes from the state. She was ordered to pay the money back…but at the rate of a dollar a month. The judge didn’t even have to order that. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Ft. Walton Beach) wants to fix that.  “So, I’ve authored legislation to require a payback of monies that have been stolen to the taxpayers.”

Gaetz has filed legislation giving judges no choice but to order anyone working for a city county or state agency and caught stealing from their employer to pay the money back.

“In the State of Florida, if a government official steals money, there’s no requirement in the law today that that money actually be paid back at the conclusion of someone’s sentence.

The payback requirement would apply to anyone, from a bus driver caught stealing to the mayor of a city.”

Paying back the stolen money would be on top of any other sentence. Public relations expert Ron Sachs polled the idea and says it resonates with taxpayers. “There’s huge public support in Florida among the voting public, 87 percent, for getting restitution from any public official, elected or appointed, who steals from taxpayers.”

The legislation also requires judges to impose 250 hours of community service…without exception, on top of the restitution and possible jail time.

The judge in the case did not disclose why she ordered thousands of dollars in restitution to be paid back at the rate of a dollar a month. Under the order, it would be hundreds of years before taxpayers are made whole.

Testing or *over* testing in the state has many parents, teachers, and lawmakers concerned. As Matt Galka tells us, in the digital learning age, some legislators are calling for a slow down, and a return to the old ways.

As new Florida Standards Assessments tests get ready to be rolled out this Spring, there’s still plenty of concern from the school districts.  Hillsborough County Superintendent MaryEllen Elia says they’re already costing valuable class time.

“The way that we’re administering it is going to cause, and has caused, an excessive amount of time to be used in the school, and it’s a disruption,” said Elia.

The Common Core tied tests have drawn a lot of criticism for over testing stressed out students.  And on Wednesday, lawmakers in a Senate education spending committee touched on a potential issue that isn’t entirely figured out.

Many of the new tests will be taken online, but what happens if there’s a technical problem? That’s why some are saying the old pencil and paper way might be the best way.

“We do not have the technology in place to fully implement online assessments this year,” said Sen. Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee).

Commissioner Pam Stewart says Florida schools are ready for the digital age, but Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Destin) isn’t so sure.

“There is a disconnect between how ready the department feels they may be and the districts may, and what the districts feel,” he said.

Tweaks are expected, but Stewart says they won’t be coming from just one side.

“We’re going to work together, I think that the investigation we’re doing into the assessments is going to formulate the direction the legislature and we want to go,” said Stewart.

The tests currently cost Florida $90 million dollars, not including other district costs.

As gay couples across the state lined up to get married today, the panhandle couple responsible for the states reversal on the ban waited. Matt Galka was there with them when they made it official.

It was finally the big day for Steve Schlairet and Ozzie Russ.

The Washington county couple has been together for 18 years with no means of being married in Florida. Their lawsuit prompted a federal judge to overturn the state’s ban on gay marriage. But the men weren’t at the courthouse when the doors opened.

“I’m not going to jump up and down like I won a million dollars, that would be different, but I’m happy I helped millions of people,” said Russ.

A group of protestors did line up early. Local pastors said they were disappointed their small town was at the center of the debate in Florida.

“They just don’t have the right to throw out the sanctity of marriage. We voted on that, we put it into law that’s a democratic process, and we’ve been violated,” said protester Alan English.

Anti-gay marriage advocates say they’ll keep fighting. John Stemburger Helped pass an amendment defining traditional a marriage in 2008. He’s hoping for the US Supreme Court to step in

“If the Supreme Court has a state’s rights issue, then the marriage amendment is immediately invigorated,” he said.

The state’s Attorney General agrees.

“We hope they take it, that’s what we’ve wanted all along because we want uniformity,” said Pam Bondi.

While some may continue to denounce same sex couples, the only label Schlairet and Russ care about being put on them now, is married.

Rick Scott was not the same man who took the oath of office four years ago.  He was less strident. More conciliatory. He had a more focused agenda and was personally more comfortable with the role of Governor.

Governor Rick Scott today became only the second Republican to be a two term Governor. An estimated one thousand plus people watched Scott take the oath of office at high noon on the Capitol steps. Scott made it clear his second term will be a continuing quest for jobs.

“I Rick Scott do solemnly swear” repeated Scott as he was administered the oath of office by Florida Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga.

Inaugurations are a new beginning.  A time of Hope.  A time to honor those who have served.

In a brief 19 minute address, Rick Scott claimed victory in his quest to create 7 hundred thousand jobs promised to continue the fight “Until the last day I serve as your Governor.”

The second term Governor also said he wold travel the nation in his quest for more jobs. “I have a message today for the people in New York, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and other states: Move to Florida” said Scott.

Scott also promised  tax cuts, increased education funding and money for the environment.

Reporters were told early today that Rick Scott would not be speaking with the media. Aides say the words from the podium speak for themselves.”

USF Political scientist Susan MacManus believes Scott’s inauguration puts a close on the brutal 2014 election. “Many people here were the ones who helped him get elected, and they had one eye on the stage and they were really happy that the election was over and that the outcome was what it was, but they’re also looking ahead to 2016.”

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Texas’s Rick Perry sat on the dais. Both disavowed any political motives for being in the state. Christie responded to the question about his political future with a quote about the weather “It’s great to be in a place where it’s 15 degrees and snowing today which is what its doing in New Jersey.”

Words that only reinforce Scott’s pitch to outsiders.

Scott laid out broad, 30 thousand foot ideas today…the rubber will hit the road later this month when he unveils his budget proposal.

Florida’s 45 Governor to be sworn in for a second term on Tuesday.

Preparations are underway at the State Capitol for tomorrows inauguration. Rick Scott will take the oath of office  at noon. Scott’s second term is expected by many to be less rocky than his first four years.

For the last year, Rick Scott has been considered one of the most vulnerable GOP governor’s in the nation. That ended when he was re-elected with just 48 percent of the vote.

“I Rick Scott do solemnly swear”

FSU Political scientist Carol Weissert expect a more confident and experienced Rick Scott in his second second term. “In terms of content, I think you will see a little more narrowing of the issues he wants to do, where in the first year he had a whole long list of things he wanted to do.”

One example of the change: Four years ago, Scott proposed slashing school funding by 10 percent….This time, with a surging economy, he will be singing a different tune.

In December, Scott told reporters “I want to have the highest per pupil funding for K-122 education in the history of the state.”

The final touches on the inaugural platform, the seating charts, and PA system were being worked out on Monday. Scott will take the oath at noon Tuesday. In remarks released by the Governor’s office, it’s clear that Rick Scott will continue his push to keep tuition low.

“Floridians have entrusted us with their tax dollars” is what Scott said at his first inaugural. On Tuesday,  Scott will note that Florida just became the third largest state. His prepared remarks will pitch living and working here to those in high tax states. Weissert says jobs will continue to be a main pitch. “Jobs. Jobs Jobs. We’re still going to see that. His new theme is trying to bring…making Florida the kind of place that people want to move to.”

Along with several previous Governors, two presidential hopefuls…Chris Christie and Rick Perry will watch the swearing in ceremony.

The days festivities begin at 8 tomorrow at a pray breakfast on the campus of Florida A&M University. 134 media have been credentialed for the inaugural ceremonies.

A federal judge says Florida is failing at providing adequate healthcare to kids on Medicaid. As Matt Galka tells us, the news was a win for children’s advocates.

Dr. Louis St. Petery has been fighting for more Medicaid money for kids for nearly a decade.  St. Petery and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics filed a lawsuit in 2005.

“The state doesn’t pay providers, physicians, who see Medicaid kids enough to recruit enough physicians,” he said.

A federal judge ruled in favor of the advocates. He found that nearly 80% of children in the Medicaid program weren’t getting any dental service at all and kids were being forced out of the system.

“It’s great for kids, the state of Florida for many years has not provided children on Medicaid to access for health and dental care,” said Dr. St. Petery.

The ruling said that the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration wasn’t ensuring kids were getting equal services.

The AHCA provided this statement on the ruling:

“The judge’s outdated observations pertain to a Medicaid program that no longer exists. Florida’s new statewide Medicaid managed care program is cost-effective and a working success.”

St. Petery says the new program still isn’t enough.

“The children still don’t have adequate access. I agree, the MMA program is out there, and on paper, perhaps it’s better, but in reality, it’s not,” he said.

Another hearing is scheduled for later this month to determine a proper remedy for the problem.

Public school supporters have been fighting a school expansion program for the last six months, but as Matt Galka tells us, it looks like they may be running out of options.

Time may be up for public school supporters trying to stop private school expansion in Florida. The Florida Education Association filed two lawsuits over the summer of 2014 challenging the state’s tax credit scholarship program – a program the legislature passed that provides tax breaks for corporations funding scholarships for low income families. They said it was taking away from public schools.

“It is the Florida legislature’s paramount duty to fund public schools adequately,” said FEA Vice President Joanne McCall in August.

A judge threw one of the lawsuits out this week saying that the teachers union as well as the parents and students in the lawsuit couldn’t prove personal harm. Daniel Woodring represents some of the tax credit scholarship parents.  He says the pending lawsuit trying to prove the expansion is unconstitutional could be set up for the same fate.

“It’s the same argument they tried to make for personal injury under Senate Bill 850, and the court rejected that,” said Woodring.

A number of legislators and pro-expansion groups have been waging an aggressive campaign to get the union to drop the suit. School choice supporter Representative Manny Diaz says the money being used for the program is private – so nothing is being taken away from public schools

“It’s not taking money from our education system, it’s giving parents a choice of where their child was educated,” said Rep. Diaz (R-Hialeah).

About 70,000 kids are currently enrolled in the program.