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Lawmakers talked about but delayed passing legislation that would remove information in a persons voters registration file from the public record. The move is a reposes to a New Hampshire web site that has published the information. Supervisor Brian Corley of Pasco County says supervisors across the state have gotten numerous complaints.

“They were maybe in a volatile relationship and then moved, A month later their new address is out there from their voter file. Lastly, you’ve had people contact us, wanting to know why their minor children who preregistered at sixteen or seventeen  why is their information, all their personal information out there in a state that leads the nation in identity theft” said Corley.

Other than complaints about the out of state web site, abuses are few. Under the legislation, political operatives and candidates would retain access to the records. Both groups have been charged with crimes in the past, such as absentee fraud.

BDS or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel is a growing national movement on college campuses. But today, A House Committee passed legislation that would divest Florida investments and prohibit contracts with any company that discriminates against Israel. Rep. Rich Workman says the anti Israel movement poses real concerns.

“It’s not a myth. There are companies that are very proud of boasting that they hate Israel and wish it to be off the face of the earth, and those are not companies that this state wants to do business with” says Workman.

The state could not purchase goods from companies that discriminate against Israel nor could it invest pension funds in an anti semiotic company. The legislation has the support of some of the legislature’s most powerful members.

The man who runs the Department of Environmental Protection won a confirmation vote in a Senate Committee today. Jon Stevenson has been under fire for wanting to expand hunting, farming, and other activities on state park lands and for trying to make parks more profitable. Today, State Senator Alan Hays said Stevenson is on the right track.

“Part of protecting the environment means getting rid of the darn feral hogs, and the only simple way to do that is hunt them and kill them, just like ISIS.

Stevenson still faces a vote by the full senate and opposition from environmental groups. Afterwards he said he will continue us push to make parks self sustaining,

“When I come before the legislature and seek additional dollars, because I have, regressed money for land management. I requested more money in our legislative budget request this year for parks than any other secretary in history. I want them to help fund this. I want them to see that I’m doing everything I can on my end to live up to that” says the DEP Secretary.

State parks saw more than 30 million visitors last year, a 14 percent increase.

Governor Rick Scott’s deal to extend the gambling deal with the Seminole tribe gets it’s first legislative hearing on Wednesday. The tribe is out with a new statewide TV buy to push the deal, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the Compact picked up stiff opposition from No Casino’s Inc today.

The Gambling deal is being heralded in television ads as an economic savior.

“New jobs for Floridians. Record revenue for the State. Keeping Florida family friendly” says one of two ads currently airing statewide.

But the three billion dollar deal has picked up stiff opposition from No Casino’s Inc.

President John Sowinski says industry studies show money spent gambling isn’t spent elsewhere.

“Money spent in a casino is money not spent in a restaurant, a movie theatre,  bar or some other form of entertainment” says Sowinski.

No casinos contends this graphic says it all. The Seminole deal would expand gambling, lead to more slots, black jack and trouble.

“It allows South Florida Pari mutuals to have blackjack. It allows historic racing machines, which look like slot machines, in other parimutuels throughout the state” says Sowinski.

“Right now, the math isn’t working in No Casinos’s favor. A third of the legislature has a parimutuel in their district. And another third wants more gambling.”

The other third wants no expansion.

And If No casino’s can’t win in the legislature, it promises a legal attack at the Supreme Court. The Court has agreed to decided if rural Gadsden County can have slots at a horse track after voters said yes in 2012.

“A vote in Gasden County could well change what the state can and can not do as it relates to the Seminole Compact” says Sowinski.

And if they fail in the courts, No Casino’s is promising a 2018  ballot initiative. It would outlaw all gambling but horse and dog track racing retroactively.

The anti gambling group also  says it will oppose legalizing betting on fantasy football and other fantasy sports leagues.

A Workshop by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee today sought to reduce the state’s prison population by a third over three years. Committee Chair Senator Greg Evers says the state is institutionalizing far too many non violent offenders because we’re made at them, even though they pose no threat to society.

“You know, we’re locking too many folks up and at what cost. And it’s actually increasing the fact that they’ll actually come back to prison for more of  a severe crime than what they were first put in their for” says Evers.

The State currently spends just over two billion a year on the prison system.

Following a rash of police involved shootings in Florida, legislation has been filed that will require independent investigations of the shootings and the creation of a database of police shootings. No such database currently exists and the state investigates in less than half the cases. State Senator Geraldine Thompson says requiring the reporting would restore public confidence.

“The facts are what’s important. And when you talk about law enforcement agencies investigating themselves, you’re investigating the people that you out to dinner with. That you do our for drinks with, you socialize with. and so the question with the public is, is it fair,  and is it impartial?” asks Thompson.

The legislation is supported by the NAACP. No cost has yet been determined.

Supporters of Florida’s private school voucher program came out in droves to Florida’s Capitol Tuesday. As Matt Galka tells us, they say they don’t want to fight with public educators, they just want options.

More than ten thousand people, mostly students, marched near Florida’s Capitol Tuesday.  They chanted “drop the suit,” urging the Florida Education Association to back off their legal challenge to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program. The program provides private school scholarships to more than 70 thousand mostly low income and minority students.

Parent Lisa Smiley from Jacksonville said she had to be their with her kids.

“Choices, we need choices, for our babies. We should have a right to choose,” she said.

One day after the country celebrated the holiday in honor of his father, Martin Luther King III led the rally.

“What education does, for any family, is create the prospect for change, and financial sustainability,” said King.

Students from all around the state said that without the tax credit scholarships, they’d have nothing.

“It’s bettered me, it’s given me more opportunities, it’s going to give me more opportunities in the future,” said Yaneimi Escobar. She attends Faith Outreach in Tampa.

But FEA President Joanne McCall says when it comes to the “drop the suit” movement…

“It’s not going to happen. I’m not so sure what they’re afraid of, we’re going to go to the courts and they’ll tell us if its constitutional or not,” she said.

The program lets businesses provide scholarships worth more than $5600 bucks, and they get a dollar for dollar tax break in return for their participation. FEA says the money could be used to bolster public schools.

There is no timetable on a ruling.

Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship program, which offers tax credits to businesses providing private school scholarships to low income students, is expected to get a major boost Tuesday. As Matt Galka tells us, supporters are set to rally by the thousands – led by the son of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Supporters marched through the streets of Florida’s Capitol City and celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King’s son will be rallying at the Capitol himself on Tuesday.

King and an expected crowd in the thousands will be in Tallahassee in support of school choice and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The Save our Scholarships Coalition is putting on the event.

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarships gives low-income families the ability to send their children to private schools.  It provides dollar for dollar tax breaks to the businesses funding the scholarships.  Reverend R.B. Holmes says the program gives minority youth a chance.

“Your zip code shouldn’t decide what school you go to, your commitment to your child ought to decide where you send your kid. All parents want to send their kids to the best schools. Why not poor parents? Why not minority families? They love their children like we love our children,” said Holmes.

The rally comes just days after public education advocates flooded the Capitol. The Florida Education Association helped organize that event last week. They’re also leading the charge against the scholarship program. They say the more than $550 million dollars the state sets aside for tax credits could be helping to improve public schools.

The FEA has taken the program to court, challenging whether or not the tax credit scholarships are constitutional. Around 78 thousand children around the state are enrolled in the program.

Around 60 percent of people with autism or Alzheimer’s have a tendency to wonder off…a scary scenario for family members. As Matt Galka tells us, lawmakers are hoping a trial program can prevent tragedies.

Floridians with family members suffering from Alzheimer’s or autism could be getting some help in the ongoing battle to keep their loved ones safe.

A bill passed Friday by the Senate will provide GPS trackers for people at risk of wandering.

“The bill creates a pilot program to aid in the search and rescue efforts, or those with special needs,” said Sen. Charlie Dean (R-Inverness).

The program is already in effect in Florida’s capitol city. Debbie Moroney runs the Alzheimer’s project in Tallahassee. She showed us one of the trackers they provide families.

“It could be very scary because you don’t know, for sure, where your individual has gone,” she said.

They have 85 bracelets so far and more people on a waiting list. The non-profit partners with the sheriff’s office who uses the GPS if someone goes missing.

“They have an opportunity, as soon as they find out their loved one is missing, to call the Sheriff’s department who immediately responds because the GPS can locate them rather quickly,” said Moroney.

Half of the Alzheimer’s Project’s patients are kids.

“Children are often drawn to water, so there’s always a concern about drowning when working with a child,” she said.

The group also foots the bill for the trackers. They cost around $300 bucks to buy plus another $100 dollars a year to maintain.

The bill passed by the Senate provides $200,000 dollars for the pilot program for seven North and South Florida counties.

Legislation providing fourteen million dollars to school districts that voluntarily adopt a school uniform policy is on it’s way to the Governor. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, some are questioning the lack of controls on how the cash will be used.

This year, 8 school districts took advantage of a first ever school uniform policy. It gives   ten dollars to the district for every student enrolled. The cost was four million. This year, lawmakers are upping the ante to 14 million.

“We want to use it as an option, not a mandate” said Sen. Don Gaetz.

And for the first time, charter schools can get the money, which caused Sen. Jeff Clemons of Palm beach some concern.

“We have a lot of educational needs in the state of Florida. 14 million dollar could be used for something, in my estimation, more important than school uniforms” said Clemons.

Once it was clear the legislation was passing, some questioned why schools aren’t required to spend the money on uniforms…they can spend it on anything they want.

Sen. Chris Smith (D-Broward County) wondered why.  “I’d hate to see a school district reside the football field when we’re giving them ten dollars towards uniforms or something.”

The lack of controls was also a concern for Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner.

“This gives money to school districts without any instructions. and parents don’t have the right to the funds” says Joyner.

A uniform will cost parents about thirty dollars. Most families, we’re told, spend between two and three hundred dollars a year.

That’s a lot more than the ten dollars schools are getting for each student.

Willie Schumacher, who co owns G. Willie’s Uniforms says prices vary. “Pants for the  boys run around sixteen dollars” she told us.

Last years cash was a one time appropriation. But now that lawmakers have made the program permanent, more districts are likely to adopt uniforms. If only to get more money.

Questions were also raised about religious preferences and uniforms, but sponsors said the states largest district, Miami-Dade, adopted uniforms last year and has has no problems.

An estimated 1500 teachers from around the state rallied in the Capitol Courtyard yesterday, protesting the state’s reliance on multiple tests. Legislation introduced by former School superintendent , now Senator Don Gaetz aims to reduce the number of tests by allowing already validated national tests to be used in lieu of the Student Assessment test (formerly FCAT) and end of course exams.
“I think this will reduce the necessity of tests, put more time back into the classroom for instruction, and also have the advantage of having a nationally validated assessment that has currency in the education system across the United States” says the former Superintendent.

On Thursday, teachers complained they lose the entire month of March preparing students for one test after another.

Teachers from across the state got on buses as early as 4am this morning to go to the state Capitol and tell lawmakers they’re fed up with legislative meddling in their classrooms. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the educators say multiple tests are keeping kids from learning.

1500 hundred teachers came to the state Capitol from across the state. their message:

Nat sot of chant;

“Enough is enough. enough is enough.”

Q:”What’s enough? we asked Sabrina Zinamon, a teacher from Jacksonville.

“Enough of testing. enough for our Students. enough!”

They came from every area of the state. Paula Stephens brought her whole family from Pinellas County.

“Literally, its going from one test to another. the whole month of march is literally, my fourth grade students will have one test a week” says Stephens.

“We’re not gonna take it” Twisted Sisters 1984 anthem played for the crows.

It is the first time teachers have brought this much muscle to the Capitol in at least six years. FEA President JoAnn McCall urged them to act.

“Today we will provide the testimony that lawmakers don’t want Florida to hear.”

We asked Jennifer Anhalt, an Alaucha County teacher ”What would you say to those legislators who say, if we don’t test, we don’t know if kids are learning.”

her response: :”Well, I would say that’s ridiculous. every day we are assessing our children, from the minute they walk in the door to the minute they go home”.

One of the takeaway lines here: Teachers aren’t opposed to testing. We invented it.’

Pending legislation would allow districts to use a nationally standardized test instead of a state test. Sot: Anna Witten is a Lee County Elementary school teacher:”What do you want them to hear?” ”I want them to let us teach” she responded

The educators are also mad at  lawmakers over funding.

Mindy Haas, President of the Florida PTA told the crowds  “Let’s hold them accountable. Share their record. Let them know how they voted in your community.”

Record per pupil funding is being proposed this year, but most of the cash is coming from local property taxes…not the state.

The teachers also called for more time for recess, music and the arts, saying students need a well rounded education that is based on more than test results.

Legislation repealing a civl war ear law that prevents two adults from living together out of wedlock cleared a key Senate Committee today and is poised for a vote by the full Senate. Lawmakers worried keeping the cohabitation statute on the books could be used to get search warrants or by divorcing parents to punish one another. Sponsor Eleanor Sobel of Broward County says the repeal is long overdue.

“We’re a lot behind the times. this bill went into effect in 1868, right after the Civil war. It’s time for us to repeal this ban on co-habitation, which leads to possible getting fines and misdemeanors, and you never know when somebody is going to get a fine for something related together” says Sobel.

Sobel has been married to the same man for 49 years.

Good samaritans may soon be able to rescue people or pets from hot cars without worrying about the damage they cause to a vehicle. Legislation absolving people who break a window to save a child, pet or someone else from a hot vehicle would not be required to pay for the damage they do under legislation that cleared a legislative committee in the State Capitol today. Sponsor Lizbeth Benaquisto says the statistics are alarming.

“When you look at the statistics, and we know that four children, last year alone died from heatstroke after being left in a car. Any tools that can give to citizens and pets and elderly or  disable persons, we want to be able to do that. Nobody wants to walk by a car and leave someone stranded or at risk. So this gives them the opportunity to do so without having to worry about the property damage that’s done” says the Senator from Ft. Myers.

The legislation could be voted on by the full Senate as early as next week.

Today was suicide prevention week in the state Capitol.  Warning signs and signs of gratitude for intervening were on display in the buildings rotunda. Legislation being considered would require that teachers receive at least two hours of training on spotting the signs and what to do next. Sponsor Dane Eagle of Cape Coral says he was stunned but he statistics.

“It’s shocking. The rate, the number. Especially among our teens, our youth. People with so much of their live ahead of them. to find that this is the second leading cause of death for teenagers, that’s shocking. And it’s even more shocking that it’s preventable and its not being prevented to the degree that it can be” says Eagle

FSU Police Major Jim Russel told of a personal experience.

“The way that depression works if it’s not rated, it gets worse . It becomes deeper, it becomes more often until it becomes chronic if its not treated. And i was aviating and dwelling  on the thoughts of suicide and I was very very fortunate that I was able to have some things come together for me that I got information about it and the light went on and I went and got help from a doctor” says the police veteran.

The two hours of training for teachers is not additional training but would take place in their annual training sessions.