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According to a new report published by the Southern Poverty Law Center Florida arrested 38 percent of children caught committing first time offenses last year.

Police have the option of issuing a civil citation to youth offenders who commit minor offenses.

“Giving kids the opportunity to make a mistake without having to have an arrest record,” said Barney Bishop with the Florida Smart Justice Alliance.

Since 2011 law enforcement’s use of civil citations has increased between five and eight percent each year, but the report shows last year civil citations hit a plateau, increasing only one percent.

“That troubles us because what we see is that juvenile civil citations result in better outcomes for kids,” said Scott McCoy with SPLC Action.

In all, 6,200 children were arrested for first time minor offenses last year.

The report also found more than 600 children 12 years old and younger were arrested last year for first time misdemeanors.

Nearly half of those arrests were of children 11 and younger.

Ten law enforcement agencies accounted for a disproportionate share of the arrests.

Combined they charged 1,900 juveniles, or nearly a third of all first time youth arrests statewide.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office topped the list, arresting 44 percent of first time youth offenders.

“There are several jurisdictions around the state that are not embracing this idea, are not following the data and the research to see that this has a better outcome both for the community and for the kids,” said McCoy.

Legislative attempts to require civil citations for first offenders have failed, and because the citations aren’t mandatory, change will likely have to come at the local level.

“Changing the attitudes of the sheriffs or the police chiefs to using this methodology versus whatever they’re using now,” said Bishop.

Ironically while, Hillsborough topped this list for the most arrests, neighboring Pinellas County scored the best, issuing civil citations in 97 percent of cases.

Despite the slow growth of civil citations last year, criminal justice advocates point out Florida continues to lead the nation in juvenile pre-arrest diversion programs.

Pets are left behind when hurricanes hit, some left outside where they are vulnerable to the worst of the storm.

The ASPCA alone reported rescuing nearly 600 animals that had been left behind during Hurricane Michael.

In a case depicted in a video released by the organization, a dog had been left outside chained to a fence, unable to defend itself.

Similar situations are not uncommon during hurricanes.

“They have no chance to survive,” said State Senator Joe Gruters.

Gruters is sponsoring new legislation would make abandoning a dog chained up outside during a natural disaster a crime, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

“It’s when you hike out of town and leave the dog tethered where they have no chance and this bill is about giving all dogs a fighting chance,” said Gruters.

Animal rights groups like the Humane Society hope if passed, the bill would make people think twice before leaving their dogs out in the elements.

“Every family should have a disaster plan and in that plan includes your pets. It’s not okay to evacuate and leave your animal outside chained. If it’s not safe for you it’s not safe for your pet,” said Kate MacFall with the Humane Society.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the bill, calling it overly broad, because it isn’t only limited to Hurricanes.

It also includes tropical storm and tornado warnings.

“Half the time I don’t know when a tornado warning has been issued or not issued and how would I possibly be able to get home and unchain the dog?” Said State Senator Jeff Brandes.

Gruters has said he’ll work on refining the legislation moving forward, but what changes might be in store are unknown right now.

So far the bill has cleared one Senate committee, but a companion has not been filed in the House.

Pet leasing is becoming a more popular option offered by pet stores.

Often times those buying a new dog or cat don’t understand what’s at stake when they sign the dotted line.

Lawmakers are hoping to ban the predatory practice in the 2020 session.

Imagine picking up a new dog and bringing it home to the family only to get a bill in the mail a month later explaining you don’t actually own the dog.

“When we go to buy a pet the last think we think of is that this could be a lease,” said Senator Annette Taddeo.

Pet leasing is an option offered by all but six of 66 pet retailers in Florida.

Senator Taddeo said what families often don’t realize is the payments can be incredibly high and missing a payment means the seller could take the family dog away.

“It’s very very tough to find out that if you can’t make the payments, and most of the time they can’t, that they have to return this now family member,” said Taddeo.

That’s why she’s sponsoring legislation that would ban the practice statewide.

Retailers who offer pet leasing options would face up to a $500 fine for a first offense.

The fine doubles for a second offense.

So far seven states have banned pet leasing, but the legislation in Florida won’t be passed before Christmas.

In the meantime, there are ways you can avoid falling victim to a pet leasing scheme this holiday season.

“Look at the paperwork first. Ask them what the financing plans are and really understand how much they’re charging,” said President of the Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations Martha Boden.

Another way is to purchase from a trusted breeder.

“Reputable breeders can be found by doing your research. Making sure you see mom and dad and the conditions that they’re kept in before the puppies are sold,” said Jennifer Hobgood with the ASPCA.

Animal activists said adopting from a local shelter is the best option.

No risk of a lease, and you can save an animal’s life.

Florida law already requires the Department of Children and Families to limit kids to no more than a year in foster care, but many spend eighteen months or more our of their homes before the state moves to end parental rights and find a permanent home. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, a plan to speed up permanency for foster kids is raising concerns.

• Number of kids in foster care: 23, 251
• Number of adoptions in FY 18-19: 4,572
• Adoptions Fiscal year to date: 1, 996

Just over 23 thousand foster kids in Florida will spend Christmas away from their parents…Best practices and Flordia law requires Children and Families to find a permanent home for foster kids after a year, but Mike Watkins who runs Big Bend Community Based Care, says it seldom happens. 

“The exit cohorts are running about eighteen months.”

Now the state is pushing to get closer to the one year deadline.

But a report by the FSU College of Medicine says that eighty percent of the kids in foster care are there because their parents have mental health or substance abuse issues.

Retired Circuit Judge and longtime child advocate Karen Gievers says a year or less  year would be best for kids 

“if if if”. If the state is doing its job says Geivers.

“If The state says you have to wait two months to get into a program and then the parent starts a program and maybe has a relapse and has to restart,, and then there’s another two or three month lag. If you timeframes and no services being provided in the meantime, there a real concern whether termination of parental rights without giving a realistic fair chance  for the parents to do what they need to do, would not pass constitutional muster.”

And Mike Watkins, who cares for just over 900 foster kids across north Florida this Christmas says a shorter time in care is desired, but…

“If it comes down to the mom and dad, in the eyes of a judge deserve another month or another chance, I think those are also deserved options.”

In the end, any change will take more money, the Governor is proposing 20 million more to help in adoptions, but experts say the real need is for drug treatment.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis promised to be an active executive when he was sworn into office nearly a year ago.

What he didn’t mention, is that Floridians would also be getting the most active First Lady in decades.

On the day he was sworn in, Ron DeSantis quoted Alexander Hamilton.

“Energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government,” said DeSantis.

He didn’t make it clear Floridians were getting a two for one deal.

In a little less than a year, First Lady Casey DeSantis has taken on mental health in schools, teen suicide prevention worked with first responders on PTSD and other concerns.

“I can either sit by or I can be active,” said First Lady DeSantis.

With all she is doing, she is the most active First Lady Florida has seen in recent memory.

“Never once has the Governor ever said to me, hey, what are you doing, or can I see what you’re doing, or let’s review it. From the beginning, he’s always told me lead with conviction and principle and do what you know in your heart to be right and go do it,” said First Lady DeSantis.

There is also another first in the works.

“Has there ever been in the history of Florida three children, three years of age and under? And so far, we’ve gone back to 1845 and we haven’t seen anything yet,” said First Lady DeSantis. “It’s a lot for the Mansion.”

The DeSantis’ are expecting in March.

“Just because he is the Governor of Florida doesn’t mean he gets out of diaper duty. So he will be doing that at two am if its called for, doing so feedings if thats need too, and helping with the other two kids,” said First Lady DeSantis.

First Lady DeSantis said he plan for the holidays is to enjoy the food, as she’s eating for two.

Governor Ron DeSantis presented a check to Gadsden County Thursday morning for just over $2.4 million.

The cash comes from a $25 million fund set up to help small communities recover from Hurricane Michael.

The money will go to repair a park and reimburse the city of Quincy for lost utility revenues, and several other needs in the rural county.

Emergency manager Jared Moskowitz said the awards are the first of their kind.

“And never before has the state helped cities and counties replenish dollars from lost revenue, also first of its kind. And so that’s what we’ve been doing at the Division of Emergency Management under Governor DeSantis’ leadership. Trying to understand how Hurricane Michael was so different and the areas it hit are so different,” said Moskowitz.

The Governor also made similar stops in Blountstown and Panama City.

A proposed constitutional amendment that would increase Florida’s minimum wage has gotten the go ahead to appear on the 2020 ballot from the State Supreme Court.

If passed, the amendment would set the state’s minimum wage at $10 an hour starting September 2021.

It would raise by one dollar each year until hitting $15.

After that, it would increase based on inflation.

Business groups worry raising the minimum wage would cost the state jobs.

“Its proponent says it’s actually designed to help people. The true fact is it’s actually going to hurt the very people that the proponent is claiming that it’s going to help. It’s not good for Florida. Florida stands to lose up to 500,000 jobs between now and 2026,” said Edie Ousley with the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The amendment will need at least 60 percent voter approval to pass in 2020.

Starting January first you’re more likely to be ticketed for texting while driving or using you phone in a school or work zone.

The state’s new texting while driving law technically went into effect in July 1st, but law enforcement has used the first six months to focus on education.

“We don’t want anyone to take their eyes off the road. We want everyone to be just focused on driving. That’s the number one thing. Just put it down,” said Lieutenant Derrick Rahming with the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP alone has issued 897 warnings, but as of January first, enforcement becomes the priority.

“Enforcing the law with citations. There will be an approach where we want to make sure that everyone has had their time in the six months,” said Rahming.

In extreme cases law enforcement hasn’t hesitated to write a ticket.

Statewide, police have issued 1,151 tickets for texting behind the wheel.

Since October first, 30 tickets have been issued for violations to the hands free portion of the law, which applies only in active school and work zones.

But expect more tickets after January first.

“We don’t want anyone to get hit anywhere in the state of Florida, but those areas specifically we just want to make sure that if you have a device in your hand you’re going to get stopped, you’re going to get a citation,” said Rahming.

A ticket for texting while driving will cost you $30.

If you’re caught violating the hands free law, you will be ticketed $60 and have three points added to your license.

Safe driving advocates like Demetrius Branca haven’t giving up hope for stronger laws to be passed in the future.

Branca does think the new law does have the potential to make some impact.

“There are of course benefits to this law. It’s an education period for people, and that’s what we need. We need education, we need legislation and we need enforcement and this is kind of a little bit of all three,” said Branca.

The ultimate goal of safe driving advocates is to see Florida go totally hands free, which is already the law in 21 other states.

State workers will have Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off this year, but unions representing them argue what they really is a pay raise.

Florida has the lowest per capita number of state employees in the country and tax payers spend less than half the national average to pay their salaries.

Despite being efficient, state employees have seen just two pay raises since 2006.

In that same time, their spending power has decreased 25 percent when accounting for inflation.

“It’s about time you recognize the work of your public servants,” said David Jacobsen, President of AFSCME Retirees, which represents retired state workers.

During a rally the State Capitol Wednesday, workers demanded a 5 percent pay raise.

Currently, eight out of ten state employees average just over $37,000 a year.

“It is not something you can raise a family on and beyond that, there’s many employees that make significantly less than that. I make $26,000 a year,” said Jordan Scott with AFSCME Local 3037.

The rally came a day after the Governor announced state workers will get Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off, and while unions appreciated the gesture, they said it won’t put more money in workers’ pockets.

“He [the Governor] mentioned in his article yesterday, that they do work hard, but he just wants to give them those two days off for holidays, but they have to go home and face those kids that they can’t get them what they want for Christmas?” Said State President of AFSCME Council 79 Vicki Hall.

There some signs of hope.

Senate President Bill Galvano hasn’t ruled out a raise.

“It’s not off the table to take a look at how we are paying our state workers,” said Galvano.

Looking ahead, unions said ultimately, a two to three percent raise each year is in order to keep state workers afloat.

Unions representing state employees will undergo one last round of negotiations this year on December 30th.

So far they’ve described the described the talks as unproductive.

One of two efforts to legalize recreational marijuana is no more.

Now the one serious push to legalize marijuana in 2020 faces an uphill battle to get on the ballot.

Sensible Florida has suspended its effort to put the question of regulating marijuana the same as alcohol before voters in 2020.

A large part of the failure comes down to money.

“They’ve raised only approximately 200 grand. Not to mention they had some reservations coalescing the industry support,” said Taylor Biehl with the Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida.

The 10-page amendment, which allowed home grow and a included a complete reconstruction of the state’s current marijuana business model, also faced pushback from Florida’s Attorney General, who argued it would confuse voters.

“They were kind of doomed from the onset trying to do too much,” said Biehl.

Unlike Sensible Florida the remaining citizen initiative, Make it Legal Florida, is backed by two prominent medical marijuana companies and has been banking a million a month.

$3.7 million in total.

“They’ve focused on spending money on mail to garner the signatures. It’s costly, but it’s effective and when you’re working on a truncated timeline it certainly very well may prove to be a genius campaign move,” said Biehl.

Make it Legal Florida also kept the amendment simple, leaving plenty of room for the Legislature to work out the details.

House lawmakers have been holding rounds of hearings, preparing for the possibility of marijuana legalization.

There’s been no discussions in the Senate yet.

When asked about the possibility of legalization, Senate President Bill Galvano said the Senate plans to focus on other marijuana issues.

“There are issues with THC and THC limits that the Senate is willing to entertain,” said Galvano.

It’s still unclear if the sensible Florida campaign intends to back Make it Legal Florida’s effort, which still needs nearly 600,000 signatures by February.

And while the state’s seed to sale marijuana business model may no longer be under threat by Sensible Florida’s constitutional amendment, there remains a case pending in the State Supreme Court that could result in the vertically integrated system being declared unconstitutional.

Requiring employers to verify the immigration status of potential hires has been a political hot potato in Florida for the last decade, and it’s about to become on of the most divisive issues of the 2020 legislative session.

Governor Ron DeSantis chose the conservative Villages when he announced his support for requiring employers to use E-Verify.

“We’re really the only state, Florida, in the entire Southeast that doesn’t use E-Verify,” said DeSantis.

Kiyan and Bobby Michael were present at the Governor’s announcement.

They have been fighting for immigration reform since their son Brandon was hit and killed in 2007 by a driver who was here illegally.

“We’re speaking out because we don’t want other Angel parents.We care about our nation. We care about our innocent citizens,” said Kiyan.

Several versions of E-Verify are being drafted by lawmakers.

Opponents are waiting to see exactly what that legislation looks like.

Since the push for E-Verify began in 2010, two of the states biggest industries, Agriculture and Tourism have been opponents.

“Look at the unemployment rate today. I mean, I’ve got hotels that have got twenty plus housekeeping or other positions that are open that they can not fill,” said Dover.

The powerhouses have another powerful ally.

Senate President Bill Galvano.

“I think we have to take these concerns seriously. About the additional obligations placed on the private employers and private citizens,” said Galvano.

Now the Governor must decide how much political capital he wants to spend on what has always been a divisive issue.

At least one version of E-Verify will be introduced by the House and Senate sponsors of last session’s ban on Sanctuary Cities.

For the first time in two decades, the Florida Democratic Party owns its headquarters, and the story of how they got to the new location is full of unanswered questions.

For decades, Florida Democrats operated out of this historic home in downtown Tallahassee, but shortly after Jeb Bush became Governor in 1999, the party was forced to sell the mansion to pay bills.

Jon Ausman was a long time Democratic National Committeeman.

“It was having trouble raising money but you don’t sell a capital asset for short term operating or election gains. As it turned out, we sold the building and it made absolutely no difference in any campaign,” said Ausman.

In 2002, former Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Maddox, now a convicted felon, took over the party.

Maddox moved it to this Class-B rental space where it’s been ever since.

Under Maddox’s tenure, two investigations were launched over hundreds of thousands of missing cash.

No charges were ever filed.

Eventually, the party borrowed money to pay off an IRS lean after Maddox failed to submit employee withholding taxes.

Fast forward through a 20 year losing streak, and the party once again owns its headquarters.

“It’s as signal that we are strong in Florida and that we are going to continue to fight, and we’re building now for next year. As you know we’re starting now, we’re organizing. We’re registering two hundred thousand voters,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo.

And on the wall of the new state headquarters is this photo is the last five living Governors who were Democrats, something the party longs for again.

Florida Republicans have owned their current state headquarters since 2000.

Film production companies could receive cash rebates for filming in Florida if new legislation making its way through the State Legislature is signed into law.

It would be the first film incentive the state has offered in almost a decade.

Florida was once a prime contender for major motion pictures.

Films like Creature From the Black Lagoon and Flipper were filmed here.

But over the past few years Florida lost out on more than 70 major films and tv projects to other states costing $1.3 billion in lost economic activity and 110,000 potential jobs.

Recently, Bad Boys 3 shot ten days in South Florida, then spent three months and $50 million in Georgia.

“Those are all jobs and that’s money that should be in our state. In our economy, not somebody else’s,” said John Lux, Executive Director of Film Florida.

But new legislation would offer up to a $2 million rebate for production companies that choose Florida.

“The sunshine and low tax environment just isn’t enough, we have to be able to compete,” said bill Sponsor Sen. Joe Gruters.

In 2010 lawmakers earmarked nearly $300 million for film incentives.

Although disputed, the state estimated the return on investment was only 43 cents to the dollar.

Philip Suderman with American for Prosperity believes the new proposal would have a similar result.

“This is a handout from the state using tax payer dollars to give to targeted businesses. This is cooperate welfare,” said Suderman.

But to qualify for the proposed rebate, productions must employ 60 percent Florida residents and spend 70 percent of total production time in the state.

Lux said that will guarantee a good return on investment.

“Providing high wage jobs for Floridians, bringing more projects here to the state, which is going to mean more tax revenues for the local counties as well as the state,” said Lux.

The legislation has cleared one Senate Committee.

A similar proposal in the House has not yet received a hearing.

Currently 33 states offer film incentives, down from 44 in 2009.