The
White House Office of Management and Budget recently pulled federal
stimulus funding for beach nourishment projects.  Now beach
preservation activists are lobbying Washington to restore that
support.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Florida
Tax Watch’s “Turkey Watch Report” follows on the heels of the
release of the state’s budget every year.  So called “Turkeys” are
spending projects Tax Watch identifies as not having had proper
review.  But as WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports, this year’s turkey hunt
will likely yield lean results.

A
grass roots movement is spreading through the country to make sure
Hispanics are accurately counted in the 20-10 census. WGCU’s Luis
Hernandez reports.

Lee Memorial Health System hosts a rally on Thursday calling on local lawmakers to support a measure in the state legislature
to increase the tax on tobacco products.  WGCU’s John Davis reports

The
Federal Government recently approved a bill adding about 200-million
dollars to the AmeriCorps Program.  A team of AmeriCorps volunteers was
recently in Fort Myers helping a man who was in many ways a prisoner in
his own home.  It was a kick off for a number of similar service
projects in Lee County.  WGCU’s Chelsey Stoner reports.

The Florida Retirement System – or FRS – reports and 8.7 billion dollar deficit this year…another casualty of the nation’s economic downturn. Last year at this time it had an 8 billion dollar surplus. Florida’s faltering economy has directed some scrutiny at one of the FRS provisions – its Deferred Retirement Option Program, also known simply as DROP. Is it being used the way it was originally intended? WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports. And we should note that most full time WGCU employees are enrolled in the FRS…

The
Coalition of Immokalee Workers recently met with Governor Charlie Crist
who followed up with a letter encouraging the state’s tomato growers to
honor an agreement between the CIW and fast food restaurants.  The
growers say the will, but with a caveat.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Florida
lawmakers expect to have budget proposals available within a week.  The
debate continues on how to raise revenue. Some want tax increases while
others wait for stimulus dollars. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has this
report.

A
delegation from Lehigh Acres is in Tallahassee Wednesday to lobby
lawmakers on behalf of the businesses and citizens of their community. 
WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The state’s plan to buy out U-S Sugar is becoming foggy. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.