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The man slated to take over the House in 2010, Rep. Dean Cannon of Winter Park. This year he is in charge of stimulating the states economy. Cannon notes Florida has much less of a budget deficit than other big states like California or New York, but he says because most of Florida’s revenue comes from the sales tax, the state must find a way to motivate consumer spending.

“We need to figure out how you focus money on areas like education and health care, in the classroom in education, and for patient care in the medical context, and recognize that we have less money,” Cannon said. “Our budget has contracted 10 percent while the stock market has contracted almost 30 percent. Compared to Wall Street, Florida is, again, not in as bad a shape as some other big economic indicators are. We’ve got to be really careful.”

On the list of ideas to generate construction is a plan to make it shorter and easier for builders and developers to get permits.

A number of Orlando officials, including Mayor Rich Crotty were in the state capitol today for the opening of the legislative session. There is a heavy lobbying effort to pass the 61-mile, four county Sun Rail or CSX deal. Lobbyist Fred Leonhardt says he thinks the commuter rail deal could pass early in the session, in part because the project is “shovel ready”.

“It’s ready to go.  The approval is in place. All four counties that are involved with this project have approved it unanimously,” Leonhardt said. “The city of Orlando has approved this unanimously. We’ve had great support from Mayor Dyer and Mayor Crotty, leading the effort. And hopefully it will happen early in session.”

Funding for the SunRail project was approved last year, and a stumbling block over who would be liable if there were an accident has been resolved. The Commuter Rail project has the backing of Governor Charlie Crist as well as both US Senators.

Hundreds of FAMU and FSU students marched to the state Capitol today, telling lawmakers to keep higher education off the chopping block. Students say their schools are suffering from recent budget cuts. As Whitney Ray tells us, lawmakers would have to raise tuition, and possibly raise taxes to satisfy the student’s demands.

Hear it Here: Students March for Education Money

A crowd of angry sign-toting college students flooded the state capitol Tuesday with a message for the Governor.

“Charlie Crist, we are pissed,” the crowd chanted.

The students are demanding more money for their schools, arguing that they’re losing professors and it’s already hard to get the classes needed to graduate.

“A lot of times you have to wait two or three semesters to get the right class because they can’t offer them,” said Keath White, an FSU Senior.

After two straight years of budget cuts, a tuition increase may be at least part of the answer to the funding question. Lawmakers will consider giving universities the ability to raise tuition 15 percent a year.

Even if lawmakers give universities the go ahead to raise tuition, administrators say it wouldn’t be enough to keep their schools funded.

House Democrats laid out their plans for saving schools, which include lifting the tax exemption on bottled water, and adding a temporary one cent sales tax.

A folk singer supported the student’s efforts with music, but back in the Capitol, House Leadership was singing a different tune.

“I don’t like tax increases,” said House Speaker Larry Cretul.

By the time session is over, Federal stimulus dollars may be the lifesaver used to keep higher education afloat. Florida is still waiting on word from Washington on 3.4 billion federal stimulus dollars earmarked for education. The money is being held in limbo as punishment for deep cuts to education.

People living with ALS, also know as Lou Gehrigs Disease, were at the state capitol Tuesday to raise awareness and research dollars.

The ALS Association covered the capitol courtyard with mannequins bearing the names of Floridians who have died from the neuromuscular disease. There is no cure for ALS and people with the disease generally die with in five years of diagnoses. Steve Franks was diagnosed with ALS in 2003. Franks is on a statewide campaign to education Floridians about the disease.

“This is a horrible disease that we need funding for to find a cure and a cause. Right now, there is neither one,” said Franks.

There are 1,200 Floridians living with ALS.

During the legislative session that begins tomorrow, state lawmakers will vote on a bill allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition up to 15 percent a year for six years. As Whitney Ray tells us, the plan would cost some freshman on bright futures scholarships an extra 2,400 dollars by the time they graduate.

Hear it Here: Tuition Hike Proposal Worries Bright Futures Students

Freshman Hannah Clark wouldn’t be at Florida State University if her Bright Future’s Scholarship didn’t pay full tuition costs.

“I wanted to go away to school, but because of Bright Futures I stayed in Florida,” said Hannah.

A plan being discussed by lawmakers would allow state universities to raise tuition 15 percent a year over the next six years. The tuition increases wouldn’t be covered by Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Lawmakers say they had to separate Bright Future from the tuition increase or else the scholarship program would be too expensive for the state.

Money from the so-called differential tuition increases will help universities keep quality staff and avoid cutting courses. Senator Chris Smith said Bright Futures students need to pay their fair share.

“When we decided to allow colleges to raise tuitions we wanted to make sure we were fair about, now all students can bare some of the burden,” said Smith.

Senator Larcenia Bullard said she’ll fight to keep Bright Futures students from paying the increase.

“The language will need to be tweaked,” said Bullard.

If the plan is approved Hannah Clark could have to pay 2,400 extra dollars by the time she graduates.

“My mom would probably make me take out a loan or a job or something,” said Hannah.

By 2014 Florida students could be paying 17,000 dollars more for a four year degree. Lawmakers may also consider raising the GPA and SAT standards to decrease the number of students eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarships.

Florida’s coastline is eroding, and according to a recent report, the state is doing little to protect the shoreline.

The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition graded the state’s efforts to curb development near the shoreline and keep oil drilling far from land. The coalition graded the state in eight areas. Overall Florida received a C, but there were three D’s on the state’s reporter card. Coalition member Gary Appleson wants the governor to create an Ocean and Coastal Policy Office to better protect the shoreline.

“Creating such an office will strengthen the government structure and that in turn will lead to better planning, coordination, execution and public support on a full range of coastal and coastal issues,” said Appleson.

It wasn’t all bad news. Florida received an A minus for efforts to reduce global warming.

Millions of gallons of Florida water are piped from the ground, bottled and shipped to other states every day. The state gets nothing. But as Mike Vasilinda tells us, More than 20 companies that bottle Florida water have gotten the Governor’s attention.

Hear it Here: Severance Tax for Bottled Water

In the rural panhandle town of Lee, Florida, a Nestle Waters plant  fills more than a hundred thousand bottles an hour. The company’s two Florida plants use two and a half million gallons a day.  The fee? Nothing but a one time one hundred fifty dollar permit.

But that could change. Environmentalists are applauding Governor Charlie Crist’s plan to charge Florida’s two dozen water bottlers a six-cent a gallon severance fee.

“Everything else that we take from the ground and sell, the people that are doing that have to pay a severance tax on it,” Eric Draper with Florida Audubon said. “So this is a severance tax on water. We’re severing it from nature.”

The plan would raise 50 million dollars next year. 70 million the year after. The state says 3.4 billion gallons a year are permitted to be taken from the water supply.

“Six cents per gallon, which is several bottles, is really a little amount. And the money would also be going to a good cause as well,” Doug Tobin with the Dept. Of Environmental protection said.

“Some of the money will be used for alternative water projects, such as cleaning up waste water, so it can be used to irrigate golf courses.”

Companies like Nestle think they are being singled out.

“Bottled water companies only account for only about 2/100ths of a percent of Florida’s groundwater use, and yet, they’re going to pay all of this tax,” Nestle Waters spokesman Jim McClellan said.

In addition to the severance fee, lawmakers are also looking at eliminating the sales tax exemption on bottled water. That would raise 42 million a year.

Florida’s lawmakers begin debating possible tax sources to fill a growing budget deficit tomorrow. Their annual session lasts until May first.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist will give his annual “State of the State” address Tuesday evening. In it the governor will outline his priorities for the coming year, which will include tax and spending cuts, as well as several ideas to generate new tax revenue. The ever optimistic governor offered encouraging words today.

“Yeah, it’s a tough time, but we’ll get through it,” Crist said. “I look forward to working with our friends in the House and the Senate. We’ll have a successful session I’m sure.”

Lawmakers being their 60-day session tomorrow morning. The governors remarks are scheduled for 6 p.m.

State Representative Dean Cannon of Winter Park was designated by fellow republicans today to be the Speaker of the Florida House in 2010 through 2012. Cannon won the votes two years ago, but the formal nomination was held today. Cannon says he wants to focus on opportunities.

“Florida has always been a place where people go to find opportunity, achievement and hope,” Cannon said. “A place where, through industry and hard work, mothers and fathers have been able to create better lives for themselves and their children. My grandmother did that for my dad. My mom and dad have now done that for me. Ellen and I hope to do that for our children.”

To serve, Cannon must win re-election and his party must keep a majority in the state house. Both are likely, but not guaranteed.

The state is turning to Washington for financial protection against a major hurricane. Senator Bill Nelson filed legislation today to create a limitless line of credit to back the state’s catastrophe fund. As Whitney Ray tells us, the proposal comes as 12 billion dollars of the state’s cat fund nears its sunset.

Hear it Here: State Looks to Washington for Cat Fund Help

Fears of a major hurricane hitting Florida have driven insurance companies to seek massive rate hikes. State Farm decided the risk was too high and is dropping all its policies. Other insurers worry the state’s catastrophe fund isn’t strong enough to weather the big one.

Experts say if a major hurricane hits one of Florida’s bigger cities it could drain the cat fund and bankrupt the state.

If the big one hits, the state could be out 50 billion dollars. Florida Senator Bill Nelson filed legislation that would help Florida avoid bankruptcy. Nelson wants Washington to extend an unlimited line of credit to Florida if the Cat Fund goes belly up.

“The federal government would lend to the Cat fund the cash it needs at fair market interest rates in order that the Cat Fund in Florida could function properly,” said Nelson.

12 billion of the 22 billion dollar Cat Fund is set to expire this year. The state will have to bond to cover any amount above the Cat Fund’s worth. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said relying on bonds is risky.

“If the credit markets are really bad, like they are right now, and we can’t go out and bond, than we have to get cash from somewhere and the only place to get cash is the federal government,” said Sink.

Experts say the possibility of a major disaster in Florida isn’t a question of if, but when, but how the federal government will respond to the looming crisis is still unclear. Part of Senator Nelson’s bill would create a pool of states with Cat funds to create a bigger pot of cash when Mother Nature strikes.

Florida will receive a million dollars from a federal grant to improve low income rental properties around the state.

The money will go to repairing five thousands of the state’s 250,000 subsidized rental properties. If the homes fall into shambles, the Federal government will no longer pay the subsidized rent and many families would have to look for another place to live. Florida Housing Finance Corporation Spokesman Steve Auger said money will help the state’s most needy.

“These properties serve Florida’s most vulnerable citizens, those with disabilities, and our folks, the working families at the low end of the pay spectrum. It’s real critical as part of Florida economic infrastructure that those families have a decent place to lay their heads at night,” said Auger.

Even though many of the properties are more than 20 year old, housing experts say it’s much more cost effective to repair the houses than to build new ones.

A 29-year-old Broward man and his family are in Tallahassee seeking justice. The family has already won a 30 million-dollar verdict for injuries caused by a sheriff’s deputies, but as the sign of the times, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the family is being told the economy is too tough to settle.

Hear it Here: Brody Family Seeks Relief

Eleven years ago Eric Brody was a happy healthy college bound 18-year-old hoping for a career in broadcasting. Today he is confined to a wheelchair and his broadcasting career, a distant dream.

In 1998, Eric was plowed into by an off duty Broward Sheriffs Deputy. A court awarded his family 30 million dollars for Eric’s loss and his care. Now his family is in Tallahassee trying to collect. The Brody family lawyer says the county’s insurance company is fighting the payment.

“They’re up here on Eric’s case, telling legislators that if you pass this claims bill, then you’re going to put 100 law enforcement officers out of work,” Brody family attorney Lance Block said.

But lawyers believe insurer TIG has acted in bad faith and the insurance company, not taxpayers, are on the hook for the cash.

The family has million dollar medical and legal bills. Mother Sharon believes Eric would be more active if had he gotten therapy.

“If he got the regular therapy everyday, I think his speech would be a little better. But it’s still very hard to understand him, even for us,” Eric’s mother Sharon Brody said.

“At this moment, he’s getting no therapy or very little therapy because there’s no funding for the therapy,” Charles Brody, Eric’s father, said.

Eric’s mom and dad have been full-time care givers, and they wonder who will care for their son after they’re gone. Without cash from the insurance settlement, Eric will likely be cared for by taxpayers.

A call to the lobbyist for the insurance company fighting the claim was not returned.

The founder of Florida’s Prepaid College Plan is fighting a proposal to allow all state universities to increase tuition 15 percent a year. The fear is that the increase could make the prepaid plan too expensive for Florida families. As Whitney Ray tells us, families who locked in rates before July 2007 don’t have to worry about increases, but people shopping for a prepaid plan will be paying more.

Hear it Here: Florida Prepaid Founder Fights Tuition Increase

Jennifer Meale bought a Florida Prepaid College Plan for her daughter Ivey at the beginning of 2007. Months later the state gave five universities permission to raise tuition 15 percent a year.

“I think we missed it by about six months and we’re locked into the rate we signed up for in the plan,” said Meale.

Right now, universities that charge a differential tuition above the normal rate don’t receive any extra money from students on Florida’s Prepaid Plans. The University System’s Board of Governors voted to allow state colleges to collect those lost dollars from the Prepaid Plan. The plan still needs legislative approval.

“The University System will in fact be getting as much as three billion dollars over the next 24 year that Prepaid doesn’t have to give them under the current arrangement, but the contract holder, not one dime more out of contract holders,” said BOG Spokesman Bill Edmonds.

But people buying a plan after the 2007 cutoff date have to buy an extra plan to cover the differential tuition increases. A proposal to allow all 11 state colleges to raise tuition rates 15 percent a year could make prepaid plans unaffordable for some families.

Jennifer Meale said if the plans get more expensive, she would consider buying a lesser plan for any future kids.

“We may only do half if we have more kids, but we may get it for everyone, so we’ll have to look at it when we have more kids,” said Jennifer.

The proposed increase comes as enrollment in the plan is down 15 percent. The Prepaid College Board refused our request for an interview to talk about how the proposed 15 percent increase would change the price of their plans.

The Florida Department of Business Regulation is hosting a statewide video contest for student ages 14 to 20 as a creative attempt to convince students not to drink on Spring Break. Students are being asked to send in their most creative 30 second video clip explaining why they won’t drink on spring break. Spokeswoman Jennifer Meale said the Department of Business Regulation is trying to reach kids before they get in trouble with the law.

“Our division of alcoholic beverages and tobacco has agents who go out every spring break and enforce state law and issue citations to underage drinkers. This year we want to get ahead of spring break and actually help underage kids realize why they shouldn’t be drinking and share that message with each other before they’re on the beach being offered a beer,” said Jennifer.

Contest winners will receive Best Buy gift cards and will have their videos posted online. For more information you can go to www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/Why_Not.html

Tobacco giant Philip Morris is stepping up efforts to kill a plan to raise the state tobacco tax a dollar.

In March lawmakers will consider the increase. The increase could generate an estimated 750 million dollars in state revenues. The money would be spent on health care. Philip Morris opposes the tax increase and is presenting an alternative plan. Spokesman David Sutton says the state could raise millions by taxing smaller tobacco companies the were left out of the state’s tobacco settlement.

“They’re not paying the tobacco settlement fee that all the other manufacturers, including Phillip-Morris USA, are paying. It’s about 50 cents a pack, we pay now to the state. They are effectively paying zero. On that particular piece, we think a fee of about 40 cents would be appropriate for them to level that playing field in Florida and give the state that revenue towards healthcare reimbursement,” said Sutton.

Smokers are already facing a 61 cent federal tax increase. The state’s tobacco tax hasn’t been raised in Florida since 1990.