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Ten years ago, Florida voters took a stand against tobacco at the polls. As Matt Galka tells us, a decade of Tobacco Free Florida is paying off.

21 percent of adults in the state were smoking in in 2006. Nearly 11 percent of children 11-17 were also puffing on cigarettes. That’s when Floridians voted for a constitutional amendment creating tobacco free Florida.

The amendment allowed money from big tobacco settlements to be used to create Tobacco Free Florida education and prevention programs, and it’s working.

“The youth smoking rate has gone down an amazing 71 percent since that time, we’ve also seen the adult smoking rate go down to 15.8 percent, which is the lowest it’s ever been,” said Shannon Hughes with the state’s Department of Health.

With the decrease in cigarette use, health costs are also going down.

“We have seen approximately 17.7 billion dollars in healthcare savings costs,” she said.

But even though an estimated 450,000 Floridians have quit since the program started, the state’s Department of Health says the battle is far from over.

“We’ve seen in an alarming increase in the use of these alternative products such as e-cigarettes and all the flavors that are offered. They’re not approved by the FDA,” said Hughes.

DOH says there are still 7400 people picking up smoking each year, a number they’d like to see go down to zero.

If you’re trying to kick the habit, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com for help on how to quit smoking.

The state is currently holding a million dollars worth of US Savings bonds left unclaimed in safety deposit boxes, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the state is suing the Federal Government because as much as billion dollars in the bonds could be owed to Floridians.

US Savings Bonds are how average Americans helped pay for World War II.

“The bonds we bought before bought the bombs that won the war, and now we’ve got another bomb to buy” sang Bing Crosby in 1945 in a movie trailer produced by the Treasury.

The baby boomers were brought up buying stamps in school that were later redeemed for bonds.

“The first thing you’ll know, you’ll have enough for a savings bond, just like your dad buys from the payrolls savings plan at work” said George Reeves, the original Superman character in a tv spot.

So now, a million dollars in savings bonds, left unclaimed in safety deposit boxes have been turned over to the state. But there’s a problem. The Federal government won’t redeem them says Ashley Carr from the Dept. of Financial Services.

“The money doesn’t belong to the Federal government. Ultimately it belongs to the individual who purchased that bond, sometimes even years ago. So what we want them to do, you know, is if the Federal government isn’t going to look for these individuals, this is what we do,a nd we happen to it pretty well Mike!” says Carr.

Indeed, Last month alone, more than 35 million was returned to Floridians.

The state has filed suit. It wants to redeem the bonds it holds, but also to gain access to an estimated one billion in unredeemed bonds that were bought by Floridians

“But they feel differently. they want to hold on to those funds, and that’s where we stand. we’re looking forward to the spring where we’ll have our day in court, where we’ll present our case. We fell like we’re on the right side of this fight” says Carr.

Until then, the promise of a better life through buying government bonds will remain unfulfilled, for some.

“Our country stands for law and order in the world. the right of free people to live and work in peace” said John wayne in a 1952 movie trailer.

You can check on the web at FLTreasureHunt.org to see if any of the bonds belong to you or a relative, or if any other unclaimed property such as a utility deposit is ready to be claimed. There is no deadline, the money will always be available to the rightful owner or their heirs.

Governor Rick Scott was in New York City today meeting with Donald Trump. The meeting continues to fuel speculation that Scott will be offered a position in the administration, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, it is more likely an offer will be made to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is celebrating her 51st birthday today.

Rick Scott’s twitter page says he went to the big apple to congratulate the President elect and offer his help. Still, the trip continues to fuel speculation Scott will be offered a job. He told us last week he wasn’t interested.

“I’ll do anything I can to help President elect Donald Trump to be successful. But I like this job and I want to finish this job” Scott said the day after trump’s victory.

And a top advisor says he hasn’t changed his mind. Melissa Sellers Stone is Scott’s Former Chief of Staff.

“I think the Governor has been clear, he has the job he wants, but he is very excited for America and the future of our country” says Stone.

Scott this week acknowledged what has been speculated for more than a year. He is eyeing the US Senate seat up for grabs in 2018.

While Scott has a path to another statewide office. Attorney General Pam Bondi may not. making a DC appointment more likely.

If Pam Bondi were to take a job with Trump, Rick Scott would name her replacement.

“I think the Attorney General does a wonderful job” the Governor told us when asked if trump should consider appointing Bondi.

Three names are surfacing as a potential replacement for Bondi. In a text, Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran told us flat out no, he doesn’t want the job. Incoming Senate President Joe Negron did not return our call.

The third name and likely frontrunner is a trusted Scott former appointees. Jesse Panuccio was a lawyer for Scott , then ran his jobs agency during the recession. Panuccio left that job last year saying he wasn’t gone forever.

“I think in the future there will be a role in public service.” Panuccio went on to tell us last December that he didn’t know what or when he would return to public service.

Panuccio is currently practicing law in Miami.

More names for Attorney General will likely surface if and when a Bondi appointment in the Trump administration moves forward. The 51 year old Attorney General met with Trump at Trump Tower yesterday.

The business of medical marijuana is getting ready to boom with the passage of Amendment 2.  As Matt Galka tells us, some are predicting big bucks for the industry.

Florida’s future cash crop could be medical marijuana.  Researchers with New Fronteir Data – a cannabis market research company – are high on the cash projections for Florida Cannabis.

Jeff Sharkey and Taylor Biehl, founders of the Florida Medical Marijuana Business Association, aren’t surprised now that amendment 2 has passed.

“This business is definitely emerging,” said Sharkey.

The New Frontier Study says that by 2020, medical cannabis could be a 1.6 billion dollar industry in Florida. That’t also good for the state’s bottom line.

“Seven percent sales tax so it’s going to certainly generate some sales tax revenue for the state,” said Sharkey.

The legislature still has a role in implementing Amendment 2. What’s there next move? It’s a burning question

“We will defend and protect the people’s right and they’ve spoken loudly and clearly and overwhelmingly, the second thing we’ll do is protect the state,” said incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran.

“The legislators want to say ‘let’s do this right, let’s do this so it’s safe, accountable, it’s also available and affordable,” said Sharkey.

Because of the state’s population and the expanded patient pool, Florida could make up nearly 10 percent of the legal cannabis market in the United States.

What were you doing when you were 21 years old? As Matt Galka tells us, a UCF student now in the Florida House will be voting on legislation ranging from guns to insurance and everything in between.

She’s barely able to legally drink alcohol…but 21-year-old Amber Mariano will be voting on state policy at the Florida Capitol.

“I’ve been waiting for that day when I can walk in, see my name on the plaque, that’s when it’s going to really sink in I think, it’s a dream come true,” she said.

Mariano campaigned while attending UCF and knocked on doors in between writing papers and taking tests.

The Pasco County Republican narrowly defeated Democrat Amanda Murphy by 699 votes.  She now hopes to make a splash by focusing on water issues.

“I really want to work hard to bring some money back to my district to fix all the flooding issues. It’s really bad where I’m from. After a simple rainstorm, we flood out,” she said.

And the youthful house member already has some senior support.

“Diversity is always good, and I actually know Amber well because she’s from my county. She grew up in a political family, her father’s been a county commissioner. I think if there’s a 21 year old out there that is prepared, she probably fits the bill,” said House Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran.

While Mariano represents the youngest of the incoming Florida House lawmakers, the oldest Freshman member will be only 46 years older than her.

Other notable young elected officials – Doyle Conner was elected at age 21 to the Florida House and went on to become Agriculture Commissioner for three decades. Current Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam was elected to the Florida House at 22.

The election is over and now it’s time to go to work for the people Floridians chose to represent them in the state house.  As Matt Galka tells us, many new faces flooded the capitol for prep work on how to be an elected official.

Things got real for newly elected state representatives and Senators Tuesday.  More than 60 new faces were at the Capitol for orientation.

“One thing that’s really true for us to represent the people and do a really good job, knowledge is power. And the more knowledgeable our members are, that’s the less powerful the special interests, that’s the less distracting the outside noise or circus is,” said House Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran.

The first day is everything from picture taking to learning to navigate the Capitol.

Rep. Barrington Russell/(D) Lauderhill

“Here it’s like you’re told what to do and you have to fall in line and of course comport accordingly, it’s interesting, it’s a bit fast paced,” said newly elected South Florida Rep. Barrington Russell (D-Lauderhill).

Representative Loranne Ausley (D-Tallahassee) returns to the Florida House after an 8 year absence – but under newly proposed House rules that are stricter on lobbyists and the budget process.

“There are some pieces of it that concern me a little bit, but I think that for the most part I applaud him for really stepping up and trying to make sure this process is as transparent as possible,” she said.

But new Senator Daryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) – who had been in the House before the most recent election – says there’s still time to see how the chambers operate under potentially different rules.

“We have a long way to go before we get to the budgeting process, the conferencing process, the Senate is a different chamber and is expected to pass its own rules that benefit its members and its constituents,” he said.

The 46 new House members make up the second largest class ever. The Senate’s 20 new members compose its largest freshman class.

All lawmakers are expected back at the Capitol next week to be sworn in to their new terms in office.

Florida may soon nearly double the number of protected bird nesting areas along our shores. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider creating ten new bird sanctuaries at its meeting in St. Petersburg tomorrow, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the commission is reviving a decades old conservation practice with proven results.

Florida has 20 critical wildlife areas. Most were created in the 1970’s and 80’s. But as the population grew, bird nesting areas were mostly left behind. Until now.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will vote on creating ten new sanctuaries and expanding five existing locations. Both Regulators and conservationists  say this about the vote:

“This is a big deal” says the FWC. “This is pretty huge” was the response from Audubon Florida.

Audubon calls the action long overdue, but something few will even notice. Julie Wraithmell  says the biggest change is how the public knows they are approaching one of these critical wildlife areas.

“What these will do is make it possible to post signs in the water around the islands, so people will be advised not to get close than that, so the birds will be able to nest successfully” says Wraithmell.

So if both conservationists and regulators agree this is a big deal, why has it taken decades for an expansion?

Kipp Frohlich is the FWC’s Deputy Director, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “There has been a period of time here we did not use this conservation tool. I think it’s been a little bit rediscovered by this commission. they approved two the last few years and they’ve been very successful, and that caused them to think we need some more” says the wildlife expert.

While out of favor for a several decades, It is a tried and true method of protecting birds says Wraithmell. “These are very target, very modest protections, with a really big benefits.”

Invading the birds privacy in a critical wildlife area is a misdemeanor, but FWC says once established the regulations are almost universally obeyed.

Of the ten new critical wildlife areas, nine are for birds. One is for bats.

Democrats are licking their wounds and wondering where they go from here. As Matt Galka tells us, some are hoping for a new direction.

Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump in Florida. Patrick Murphy couldn’t unseat Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate.  And there was minimal impact at the state level.  Almost any way you look at it – Florida Democrats took a beating on election day.

And now Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Allison Tant won’t seek re-election.  Longtime Democratic National Committee Member Jon Ausman says the party needs to do some soul searching.

“The first thing that has to happen is Democrats across the state have to get together and do a realistic assessment about what happened. Let’s look at the election results, let’s look at the turnout, let’s look at the performance, let’s look at the consultants that were successful versus those who have failed and where we have people who are continually losing election cycle after election cycle, it’s time to let them go,” he said.

One big challenge over the next two years, reconnecting with apathetic voters.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson will be up for re-election in 2018 with Governor Rick Scott rumored as a potential challenger. That fight…along with the fight for the Governor’s mansion…will be tough tests for the Democrats. Consultant Kevin Cate says some of the recent struggles fall on the candidates.

“Well I think Democrats need to speak to the electorate as it is and understand the urgent needs of voters which, right now, they want better jobs and higher wages. And they wanted the system to be shaken up and they certainly shook it up with Donald Trump,” he said.

Democrats will have an uphill climb in the race for the Governor’s mansion in 2018…they haven’t won that position since 1994.

A new Speaker of the Florida House takes office a week from Tuesday, and he’s proposing tough new rules for House members to live by.

Richard Corcoran is a no non-sense Pasco County Republican who takes over as Speaker of the Florida House on November 22. He’s bringing a host of rules changes to the job.

“And when you have an open and transparent process, Mike, then you going to have the greatest output for the people of Florida. When it’s closed doors or when its in secret, or when there’s too much influence of the special interests, and lobbyists have too much control, everyone loses” says the incoming House Speaker.

This is what it can look on the Capitol’s fourth floor when the legislature is in session. Lobbyists everywhere. Here you can see a lobbyist discussing a last minute amendment with a lawmaker. But Under the rules change, members will have at least a day to read how another wants to change their bill before a vote is taken.

“78 yeas”

“We’re gonna add an additional day so we can scrutinize all these amendments, and people people can’t wait until the last second to do what they can’t do openly in the sunshine, that’s why they have to do it at the last minute” says Corcoran.

There are also tough new ethical rules for House members.

And a hip video produced by the House helps explain the changes.”

“No more spending millions of dollars at the last minute” says the animated short.

No flights on private planes owned by lobbyists or the people who hire them.

Lawmakers must disclose new employment with a Government funded agency

And they can’t do business with a registered lobbyist.

There is also a ban of texting between lobbyists to members who are in session or a committee meeting.

Right now, lawmakers have to wait two years before they can lobby. Corcoran wants to extend it to six.

“the revolving door is closed” concludes the video.

Former members who now lobby say extending the ban on lobbying by former members to six years will have little impact on the process. Also, many of the changes, especially when it comes to spending must also be agreed to by the Senate,   and it has yet to weigh in on the changes.

Six million dollars in renovations to the Senate Chamber in the state Capitol are almost complete. Senators will sit at marble coved desks, see information on a 120 inch 4K ultra HD TV mounted on a wall of mahogany, and have their names in lights on a newly designed voting board. The renovations must be complete by the end of next week. Lawmakers are back in the Capitol to organize after the election on November 22nd.

The top two legislative priorities of the NRA this past year, campus carry and open carry were stopped by one lone State Senator, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the political roadblock was removed when eh Senator did not win re-election.

Allowing concealed carry permit holders to carry on college campuses, and allowing open carry so police aren’t arresting someone when their weapon is inadvertently exposed,  both died this year, in large part of State Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla. The then Senate Judiciary Chairman refused to hear the bills, even though Open carry sponsor Don Gaetz says Portilla had promised to give the bill a hearing.

“Three times he said he would hear the bill, three times  he failed to hear the bill. He didn’t tell the truth, he mislead us” said Gaetz by phone.

Diaz de la Portilla lost his Senate race to a Democrat who also opposes open and campus carry, but still the NRA calls it a victory.

Q:”His views are no different” we asked. Marion Hammer Responded “At least he’s honest about his views and he’s honest about what he would do.”

The NRA is already looking forward to next year. House and Senate pro gun legislators won in the primary and general election, including pro gun House members who moved to the Senate.

Top on the NRA’s agenda, open carry and campus carry.

“So when you can elect proven second amendment supports to office in the Senate, you help yourself, you help gun owners” says Hammer.

The legislation is expected to face fewer roadblocks after the NRA flexed its muscles this election.

The NRA says it is also cautiously optimistic of Donald Trump’s election, because while he has said he will defend second amendment rights, he is yet to be proven. carrion Hammer says she knows a Hillary victory would have seen efforts at gun control.

After thousands protested President elect Trump nationwide last night, one lone protestor was in front of the State Capitol in Tallahassee today. Wes Armstrong told us he feared what Trump may do for immigrants and gay rights. he’s calling on the people who vote in the electoral college to honor the popular vote and give the presidency to Hillary Clinton.

“The election was for the electoral college to see how thee american people wanted to vote. And as close as it was, all the electoral college needs is to sway 38 votes and they have 38 days to do it.”

Q:”So you are encouraging them to avoid the mandates from their government.”

“Absolutely” responded Armstrong.

Most states bind their electors to vote based on the vote, but not all require the commitment.

Today was the 27th year in a row that ROTC Cadets at Florida State University began ceremonially guarding the Viet Nam Memorial across the street from the Capitol. The students will spend 24 hours at the memorial, with each doing a one hour shift. Cadet Charles Preyser says their presence is a reminder to all to honor veterans past and future.

“To honor them. to embrace veterans of today. These are going to be the soldiers of our future because we are all Army cadets. Um, so yes to memorialize those who have passed in wars past” says the Cadet.

The cadets will be at the memorial until 11 am tomorrow.

The future of blackjack in Florida seems safe thanks to a federal judge. As Matt Galka tells us, the gambling ruling stacks the deck against the state.

Gamblers in Florida can keep taking cards at the blackjack table. A lawsuit between the Seminole Tribe and state of Florida was filed after a provision in the gambling deal between the two allowing exclusive banked card game rights expired in 2015.  The state wanted the games to end when re-negotiations stalled.

But U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the state didn’t hold up its part of the bargain with the Seminole Tribe when it allowed designated player card games at card rooms and race tracks around the state.

“It said that bank card games ran til 2015 unless the state authorized any other person or entity to offer the games., which the state did,” said Tribe attorney Barry Richard.

So what comes next.  Gambling law expert Marc Dunbar says the ruling costs the state some money.

“That’s going to cost the state 134 million dollars a year,” he said. It’s because the state forfeits the money that comes from locations in Florida where the games aren’t exclusive.

“Oh this is long from over, I would guess there will be an appeal and ongoing discussions between the two sides,” said Dunbar.

The card games can now be offered until 2030 – the original duration of the deal signed in 6 years ago.

The ruling also gives the Seminole Tribe to offer blackjack and other banked card games at two more locations in Florida, but it’s unclear if they plan on doing that.

Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi both played key roles in helping President Elect Trump win Florida. Now, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, bot could be poised to play keep roles in Washington.

Pam Bondi endorsed Donald trump the day before Florida’s primary in March, Rick Scott did so the day after. Scott also ran the Rebuild America Now PAC. He raised and spent 20 million in key battle ground states for Trump.

“Hillary’s priorities are not your priorities” chimed one of the ads.

Now, Scott could likely have any job he wants in DC, but he says he’s  counting the days he has left as governor.

“Governor, if you are offered a job, and there is a rumor you could be offered Health and Human Services Secretary, would you take it?” we asked.

”No” he responded, then went on to say “Here’s the way I look at it. I have 789 days left in this job. I ran hard to get this job, twice. And both hard fought races and I really believe in this state.  think about what I have the opportunity to do; We have the opportunity to give more people a job, improve education every day.”

Scott is widely expected to seek a US Senate Seat in 2018. But Pam Bondi’s future is much more murky.”

We asked Scott if Bondi has a place in a Trump Administration.

“If I was President-elect, she is somebody I would look at” Scott told us.

Melissa Stone is one of Scott’s closed confidants. She believes Scott could win a third term as governor if not for term limits.

“I think you are seeing voters who have one issue. they want the economy to grow, they want jobs to be added,  That’s been Governor Scott’s singular mission, and also a focus for Donald Trump” says Stone.

But in Washington or not, Trump is not likely to forget what Scott and Bondi did to help.

We reached out to Attorney General Pam Bondi, she did not return calls or texts to her cell phone. She was with Donald Trump in New York last night.