THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, STATE LAWMAKERS EXTENDED STAY IN TALLAHASSEE CONTINUES AS A DEAL TO AGREE ON A STATE BUDGET GETS WORKED OUT AND NOW ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION MIGHT BE COMING THIS TIME WITH THE FOCUS ON CUTTING CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTY TAXES.

AMERICANS CAUGHT BETWEEN RAISING THEIR CHILDREN AND CARING FOR THEIR AGING PARENTS.

WE TALK WITH SENATOR RICK SCOTT ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROVIDE HELP FOR THE SANDWICH GENERATION.

AND A GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN CUBA.

WE GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT U.S.

OIL EMBARGO WAS HAVING ON THE ISLAND NATION.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER IN THE EVERGLADES DUBBED ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS REPORTEDLY PREPARING TO CLOSE NEXT MONTH.

RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT PAYMENTS BEING MADE TO VENDORS AT THE FACILITY.

THE FINANCIAL CONCERNS ARE RAISED AS STATE LAWMAKERS AND OR THE SECOND WEEK OF A SPECIAL SESSION TO WORK AT A STATE BUDGET.

AND ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION IS EXPECTED TO BE CALLED IN THE COMING WEEKS TO TALK ABOUT A REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAXES.

>> JOINING ME NOW FOR THE LATEST IS WGCU HOST AND REPORTER >> JOHN DAVIS.

JOHN, WHAT IS THE LATEST ON ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ >> ALSO, I THINK WE'VE ALL SEEN THEIR REPORTING THAT THE NEW YORK TIMES BROKE THAT THE ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IS LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE WINDING DOWN OPERATIONS TO CLOSE IN JUNE.

SO THAT'S INITIALLY GOING TO TRANSPORTING DETAINEES OUT.

THEN THEY'LL BE SEVERAL WEEKS AFTERWARDS OF ACTUALLY BREAKING DOWN THE THE ACTUAL FACILITY.

THAT'S THERE.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THIS ISN'T HAPPENING DUE TO THE MANY LEGAL CHALLENGES AGAINST IT.

IT'S NOT OVER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

IT'S NOT OVER ALLEGATIONS OF DETAINEES BEING ABUSED OR THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BEING VIOLATED WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESS TO ATTORNEYS.

THIS REALLY COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

THIS FACILITY IS HEMORRHAGING TAX DOLLARS.

IT COSTS MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY TO OPERATE.

THE STATE STILL HASN'T BEEN REIMBURSED.

SOME 608 MILLION DOLLARS THAT THEY'VE REQUESTED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO THIS.

AND US IT COULD BE A PROBLEM EVEN AS WE GET INTO HURRICANES SEASON BECAUSE AGAIN, AS THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS REPORTED, VENDORS WHO WERE WORKING ON THIS SITE THAT ARE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS OF THE STATE HAVE PRIVATELY REPORTED THAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING THEIR INVOICES PAID BECAUSE THE STATE HASN'T GONE REIMBURSED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

NOW, THESE ARE THE SAME VENDORS TO THE STATE CONTRACTS WITH TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES LIKE DEBRIS PICKUP AFTER A HURRICANE.

SO THAT SHOULD CONCERN EVERYBODY BECAUSE THAT MIGHT IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO ENTER THE ATLANTIC STORM SEASON.

READY TO GO.

>> NOW FLORIDA LAWMAKERS ARE IN THE SECOND WEEK OF THEIR SPECIAL SESSION TRYING TO HAMMER OUT A BUDGET BEFORE JULY ONE.

OUR LAW MAKERS AND MAKING ANY PROGRESS ON THIS BUDGET.

GOOD NEWS.

PROGRESS IS BEING MADE >> AND, YOU KNOW, LAWMAKERS AND THEIR COMMITTEES HAD UNTIL LIKE NOON LAST FRIDAY TO HAMMER OUT WHATEVER THEY COULD IN TERMS OF DISPARITIES.

AND, YOU KNOW, BUDGETING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.

BUT THAT NOW HAS GONE INTO THE HANDS OF HOUSE BUDGET CHAIRMAN LAWRENCE MCLAURIN, SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN ED HOOPER.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING OUT THOSE REMAINING FUNDING GAPS.

THIS IS GOING TO BE MUCH MORE OF A CLOSED DOOR PROCESS YOU KNOW, NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT THERE ARE STILL THINGS WHERE SAY AS OF LATE LAST WEEK, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WERE STILL MORE THAN 175 MILLION DOLLARS APART WHEN IT CAME TO FUNDING FOR THE EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA RESERVOIR.

ALSO FUNDING FOR OYSTER RESTORATION UP IN THE APALACHICOLA BAY AREA.

SO IT'S KIND OF THESE INDIVIDUAL FUNDING PROJECTS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING OUT.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE LEGISLATURE REMAINS ON TRACK TO PROBABLY VOTE ON THE BUDGET AFTER THEY TAKE A BREAK FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY.

BECAUSE REMEMBER, THERE IS THAT 72 HOUR COOLING OFF PERIOD BEFORE THEY CAN TAKE THAT VOTE.

YEAH.

SO IT'S SCHEDULED TO END MAY 29TH AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO HIT THAT.

MARK.

THAT IS EXCELLENT NEWS.

>> AND GOVERNOR DESANTIS IS STILL PUSHING FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT?

>> AS RECENTLY AS MONDAY AT A ROUNDTABLE IN BREVARD COUNTY AND DESANTIS REITERATED HIS INTENT TO CALL YET ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE OF REDUCING OR ELIMINATING HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAXES IN FLORIDA.

TO BE CLEAR, THAT'S TALKING ABOUT PRIMARY RESIDENCE IS NOT SECOND VACATION HOMES OR INCOME PROPERTIES LIKE AIRBNBS OR WHATNOT.

BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ONGOING, VERY PUBLIC DISPUTE BETWEEN GOVERNOR DESANTIS AND HOUSE SPEAKER DANIEL PEREZ.

YOU'LL REMEMBER DURING THE REGULAR SESSION, THE HOUSE DID NOT TAKE UP SOME PRIORITY LEGISLATION OF THE GOVERNOR WHEN IT CAME TO EXPANDING EXEMPTIONS FOR CHILD VACCINE MANDATES AND DESANTIS HAS PROPOSED A I BILL OF RIGHTS.

THEN THAT CAME UP AGAIN IN A SPECIAL SESSION AND THE HOUSE DIDN'T EVEN FILE A BILL TO ADDRESS IT.

SO IT WAS ALREADY DEAD IN THE WATER.

THERE.

THAT BEING SAID.

IF WE REALLY ARE KIND OF RUNNING OUT OF TIME, THERE IS GOING TO BE A DATE SOMETIME IN LATE AUGUST OF THAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR CERTIFYING ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO GO ON THE BALLOT.

AND REMEMBER, WHATEVER THEY PROPOSE IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE DECIDED BY VOTERS IN NOVEMBER.

IF THEY HOLD A SESSION AND IF THEY ACTUALLY PASSED ANYTHING.

>> THAT WOULD ADDRESS PROPERTY TAXES IF THEY ARE ABLE TO AGREE ULTIMATELY ON THIS PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION PROPOSAL AND IT MAKES IT TO THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

WHAT THEN?

>> THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT YOU NEED AT LEAST 60% VOTER APPROVAL FOR THIS TO PASS.

REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER THEY PUT OUT, IF THEY PUT OUT ANYTHING.

SO I THINK IT'S ON THE BALLOT.

I WOULD EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO SEE STRONG OPPOSITION FROM A UNIFIED FRONT OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE SPIRIT OF ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL.

FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THIS PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IS A PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE FIRE, EMS, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ROADS.

AND I HEARD OF BARRY UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENTIST RECENTLY BRING UP THAT OUTAGE OF, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NO REPUBLICAN POTHOLES OR DEMOCRATIC POTHOLES ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THIS ISN'T PARTISAN.

IT MIGHT BE A PARTISAN FIGHT IN TALLAHASSEE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, IT'S REALLY NOT.

SO I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

AND THAT'S A BIG HURDLE.

60% IS A BIG HURDLE TO OVERCOME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, JOHN, FOR THE LATEST.

>> COMING UP NEXT, PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND FOR THOSE SUPPORTING MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES.

OUR CONVERSATION WITH U.S.

SENATOR RICK SCOTT ABOUT THE ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO BRING RELIEF TO SANDWICH CAREGIVERS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE PROVIDING CARE FOR BOTH THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN AND AGING PARENTS.

THEY'RE CALLED THE SANDWICH GENERATION.

FORBES ESTIMATES THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE UNPAID CARE THEY PROVIDE TO BE MORE THAN 600 BILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR TO RAISE MORE AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR THE SANDWICH GENERATION.

US SENATOR RICK SCOTT OF FLORIDA RECENTLY CHAIRED A SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING.

WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE SAT DOWN WITH THE SENATOR TO LEARN MORE.

>> WELL, FOR MORE ON THE EFFORTS TO ASSIST SANDWICH GENERATION CAREGIVERS, WE ARE JOINED BY SENATOR RICK SCOTT.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING.

SENATOR SCOTT, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK WITH US.

THANKS TO BE WITH YOU.

SO NOW AT A RECENT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR CAREGIVERS.

WE'RE DEALING WITH BOTH THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR AGING PARENTS.

NOW YOU'RE PROPOSE TAX CREDITS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THIS PREDICAMENT AND A REDUCTION IN THE PAPERWORK FOR ACCESS TO FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

WHY HAS THIS BECOME SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF?

>> BUT FIRST TIME I SAW THIS AS A KID WHEN MY MY GRAND MOTHER WAS BASICALLY BED REST OF MY HOUSE FOR QUITE A WHILE.

AND MY MOM WAS STRUGGLING TO TAKE CARE OF 5 KIDS AND THEN TRY TO TAKE CARE OF MY GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS SICK.

IT'S TOUGH.

IT'S IT'S IT'S TOUGH ON A LOT OF PEOPLE.

SO WE SEE A LOT OF IT RIGHT NOW.

WE SEE A LOT OF IT IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PARENTS OR AN AUNT AND UNCLE AND AND AND ALSO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

SO I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THEM.

I THINK THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS PROVIDE SOME TAX RELIEF.

ALSO, THERE'S A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT COULD BE HELPFUL TO THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT.

SO I'M TRYING TO GET THAT RE AUTHORIZED TO MAKE SURE THOSE PROGRAMS CONTINUE.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF LOT OF AMERICANS AND A LOT OF FLORIDIANS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS AND LET'S PROVIDE WHATEVER RELIEF WE CAN.

>> NOW, ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS I WAS LOOKING AT WAS THE SENIOR ACT WHICH LOOKS TO DEAL SENIOR LONELINESS GETTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

SO IN AN AREA LIKE FLORIDA WHERE OUR SENIOR POPULATION IS CONSTANTLY GROWING AND GETTING LARGER, HOW DOES THIS HELP AN AREA WITH SUCH AN ABUNDANCE OF WHAT AGING AMERICANS?

>> WELL, AS HELP, IT HELPS A LOT OF PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA AROUND THE COUNTRY THEN DO THE DO THE HARD WORK OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY CONTINUE TO GET SENIORS ACTIVE IN INVOLVED SO THEY DON'T END UP LONELY.

WE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE WAY WHAT WE SEE OFTEN IN FLORIDA AND AND I'M SURE AROUND THE COUNTRY AS WE SEE OLDER AMERICANS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR LOVED ONES AND THEY DON'T HAVE FAMILY LIVE CLOSE TO HIM ARE SOMETIMES THERE AND THEY'RE NOT THE OTHER HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.

AND SO A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNDED THIS WAY, YOU KNOW, HELP HELP THE SENIORS.

AND SO AGAIN, WE ARE TO BE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN IN GOVERNMENT TO HELP THOSE THAT WE CAN HELP.

>> AND THEN ONE OF THE THINGS WAS IS AM CAREGIVERS CREDIT ACT, WHICH YOU'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT $2000, 2 INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THE SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE TO DEAL FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS IS THAT ENOUGH OR IS THERE MORE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN BE DOING BECAUSE AS COSTS ON EVERYTHING GO UP AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN THERE.

IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THIS MAKES A BIG DENT.

IT SURELY HELPS BUT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING ON TIGHT BUDGETS DEALING WITH NOW 2 SEPARATE ISSUES WHERE YOU'RE DEALING WITH CHILDREN ON ONE HAND AND PARENTS ON THE OTHER.

>> WHICH PROBABLY FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES IS NEVER ENOUGH.

SO BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO UP HERE IS YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD BECAUSE IT IS YOUR MONEY THE WAY I ALWAYS LOOKED AT WHEN I WAS GOVERNOR IN THIS JOB IS IS WE'RE USING YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO TO PROVIDE THESE PROGRAMS.

AND AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE RUNNING TO TRAIN ALL YEAR DEFICITS.

WE HAVE ALMOST 40 TREY DOLLARS IN DEBT.

AND AS YOU KNOW, INFLATION IS UP AND INFLATION IS ALL CAUSED BY GOVERNMENT SPENDING WHEN GOVERNMENT SPENDS MORE THAT IT TAKES IN.

SO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO IS SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO?

BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT TO ALLOCATE HOW YOU SPEND THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT TAXPAYERS ARE WILLING TO GIVE US AND MATTER.

THAT HELPS THE MOST PEOPLE YOU CAN.

>> AND THEN SPEAK OF THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE IN FEBRUARY.

I WAS READING UP ON YOUR OP-ED YOU WROTE ABOUT ON GENERIC DRUGS, LOOKING AT THEM AS A COST-EFFECTIVE, POTENTIALLY LIFESAVING ALTERNATIVE.

BUT NOW SHOULDN'T THERE BE MORE PRESSURE PUT ON PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO HELP DRIVE DOWN THE COST OF NON GENERIC DRUGS?

BECAUSE MANY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO REACH THAT AREA.

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE INSULIN WHICH ARE SEEING SPIKES IN THE PRICE COST.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ON THE MEDICAL SIDE TO HELP FAMILIES THAT ARE DEALING WITH SUCH AN INCREASE IN MEDICATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

>> BUT I THINK WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS IS WE'VE GOT TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE WE HAVE INNOVATION.

SO WE WANT THE FARM.

SO COMPANIES CONTINUE IN THE VEIN, COME UP WITH NEW DRUGS ARE GOING TO SAVE OR LIES OR IMPROVE OUR LIVES.

BUT THEY'VE GOT THEY'VE GOT A PRICE OR THEY'RE THE PRODUCT OF AT A FAIR PRICE.

IT WITH THAT WE CAN AFFORD.

AND ONE THING I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY THE PRICE OF INSULIN IS A WAY TO SINCE WAS BEEN AROUND FOR WHAT NOW?

100 YEARS.

SO IT'S NEVER MADE ANY SENSE TO ME.

WHY COSTS AS MUCH AS IT COSTS.

ONE THING I'M TRYING TO DO ON TOP OF THAT IS MAKE SURE YOU DON'T RELY ON CHINA FOR YOUR DRUGS BECAUSE IF WE EVER HAVE A CONFLICT IN CHINA, THOUGH, DO WHAT THEY DID DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC WHERE FIRST OFF, THEY LIED TO US.

STAY WHERE IT WAS STARTED.

WHO IS CLOSE STARTING THE LAB NUMBER 2, AND THEY HELD BACK.

PPP.

SO RIGHT NOW ABOUT 80% OF DRUGS, AMERICAN SAKE OR GENERIC, ABOUT 90% OF THOSE AS GENERICS THE INGREDIENTS COME FROM COMMUNIST CHINA AND SO THEY CAN.

FIRST OFF, WE KNOW IT'S NOT SAFE.

NOTHING COMES FROM CHINA IS SAFE.

SO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE AMERICANS ARE NOT DEPEND ON THAT.

SO I HAVE A BILL CALLED THE CLEAR LABELS ACT THAT WE ACTUALLY GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION OF WHERE YOUR GREENS COME FROM FOR ANY DRUG YOU MIGHT BE TAKEN AND WHERE ITS MANUFACTURER, SO YOU CAN MAKE A BETTER CHOICE AND A SAFER CHOICE.

>> BUT THEN HOW DOES THAT GET TO THE AMERICAN CONSUMER THAT BECAUSE IF THEY ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THAT COST-EFFECTIVE PRICE, THAT SEEMS TO BE OVER WHAT'S IN YOUR INGREDIENTS.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH AS WHAT IS THE BEST OPTION OUT THERE, BUT IT'S WHAT CAN AFFORD AND BUDGET.

SO ISN'T THERE STILL RESPONSIBILITY OF NOT JUST KNOWING WHAT YOUR INGREDIENTS ARE, BUT HELPING GET THOSE COSTS DOWN?

SO MAYBE THEY'RE ON MORE LEVEL WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT ARE COMING FROM OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS.

>> AND THE NUMBER ONE, WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TAKE A DRUG THAT'S UNSAFE.

SO I DON'T CARE WHAT THE PRICES OF ITS UNSAFE, IT'S CHEAPER AND UNSAFE AND PUT YOU IN THE HOSPITAL.

THAT'S NOT A GREAT DRUG.

THERE'S A STUDY OF THE UNIVERSE OF INDIANA.

THE SAYS THAT IF YOU TAKE TAKE IN THE INDIAN OR CHINESE GENERIC DRUG, YOU HAVE OVER.

IT'S A 60% CHANCE OF HOSPITALIZATION OR DEATH.

SO NUMBER ONE, YOU SHOULD BE TAKING GENERIC DRUGS FROM INDIA OR CHINA.

THERE'S NOT GREAT INSPECTIONS SEPARATE FROM THAT.

WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS WORK, RIGHT?

WE'VE GOT TO CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE WE HAVE AS MUCH COMPETITION AS POSSIBLE.

GOVERNMENT IS NOT GREAT PRICE CONTROLS.

WHAT THEY DO WITH PRICE CONTROLS HIS OLD WAY.

THEY RESTRICT ACCESS.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PRODUCE.

THANKS.

WE'VE GOT TO DO IS CREATE AS MUCH COMPETITION AS POSSIBLE.

COMPETITION IS WHAT DRIVES DOWN PRICED ON GOVERNMENT.

>> AND ONE THING WITH COST DOWN HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BEEN OUR STATE BUDGET.

AND RIGHT NOW, GOVERNOR DESANTIS LOOKING AT CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION IN REGARDS TO THE ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES.

WHEN YOU WERE GOVERNOR, YOU RAN FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND A LOT OF THAT WAS INCLUDED, I BELIEVE GETTING ABOUT 10 BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT.

THAT WAS REMOVED OFF OUR STATE BUDGET.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE PROPERTY TAXES THAT BRINGS IN MUCH-NEEDED INCOME AND HELP SUPPLY A LOT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE A FOCUS ON THE STATE RIGHT NOW?

JUST WANT TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS FORMER GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA.

>> WITH THE EVERYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEIR TAXES GO DOWN WHEN I WAS GOVERNOR, I CUT TAXES AND FEES.

I THINK OVER 100 TIMES.

AND SO WHAT DO WITH PROPERTY TAXES?

WE TRY TO REDUCE THE MILLAGE RATE ON PROPERTY TAXES AT THE RATE THAT YOUR VALUES WENT UP.

SO I'D LOVE.

I LOVE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET REAL PROPERTY.

TAX ESTATES ARE JULIE FUNDED ONE OF 3 WAYS INCOME PROPERTY OR SALES TAX.

WE DON'T HAVE A PERSONAL INCOME TAX IN FLORIDA AND WE DO NEED REVENUES TO PAY FOR SCHOOLS, TRANSPORTATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I KNOW THE I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT HAS PROPOSED SAID HE'D LIKE TO SEE PROPERTY TAXES COME DOWN.

I'VE NOT SEEN THE PROPOSAL.

I LOVE TO SEE A PROPOSAL BECAUSE I DO WANT ANOTHER TAX TO GO UP AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE MONEY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE KIDS GET A GREAT EDUCATION.

MAKE SURE WE HAVE MONEY FOR OUR ROADS.

MAKE SURE WE HAVE MONEY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND THEN IF I CAN GET YOU ON THIS QUESTION.

>> FLORIDA'S ORANGE PRODUCTION.

MANUFACTURING HAS BEEN DOWN FOR SOME TIME.

I KNOW THAT YOU CENTER ASHLEY MOODY HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO HELP THE FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ORANGE INDUSTRY IS BIBLE FOR FLORIDA'S FUTURE.

UNFORTUNATELY, HERE IN LEE COUNTY, OUR LARGEST GROWER HAD FOLDED IT CITRUS OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO MOVE INTO LAND DEVELOPMENT.

I WAS JUST WANTING TO GET AN UPDATE ON YOUR LEGISLATION.

IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ON A FEDERAL LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GROWERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE KEEPING OUR ORANGES AS PART OF AN INTERNAL PART OF OUR STATES.

>> I THINK IN THE LAST 20 YEARS WE'VE GONE FROM PRODUCING OVER.

I THINK 240 SOME MILLION BUSHELS OF ORANGE IS THE YEAR TO 12.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO THE THING THE PIES YOU RIGHT NOW IS THE EPA.

I WORKED WITH THE PA TO GET A NEW TREES APPROVED IN JUST HAPPENED.

I THINK IN THE LAST 2 OR 3 WEEKS.

AND MINDS AND ORANGE GROVES, OUR STATE ARE PLANNING TO PRODUCE OVER.

2 MILLION ARE PLANT ANOTHER 2 MILLION TREE.

SO HOPEFULLY THIS NEW VARIANT WILL BE THE SOLUTION BECAUSE WE'VE HAD YEARS AND YEARS OF THIS GREENING.

SO AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE FUND A LOT OF RESEARCH.

WE'VE DONE THE SAME THING AT THE FEDERAL I CONTINUE TO FUND THAT.

BUT HOPEFULLY WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THIS NEW VARIANT THAT ARE ORANGE GROVES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE AND THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TAKE CARE THAT THE TREES WITH A A A WAS A I THINK IT'S CALLED I THAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE THE EXISTING TREES.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

OUR ORANGE PRODUCTION.

WE HAVE THE BEST ORANGES IN THE WORLD.

I HOPE YOU GET BACK TO BEING THE BIGGEST PRODUCER IN THE WORLD.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS AFTERNOON.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE RESEARCH, BUT ALSO NOW HOPEFULLY THIS IS GOING TO OUR ORANGE GROWERS ARE GONNA START PLANTING TREES AND WE'LL SEE A BIG RUSS AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, SENATOR RICK SCOTT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US.

ALL RIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

BUT BY THAT.

>> HERE'S MORE INFORMATION.

AS SENATOR SCOTT MENTIONED, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CITRUS INDUSTRY.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS SAYS THE INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES MORE THAN 32,500 PEOPLE WITH AN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT CLOSE TO 7 BILLION DOLLARS.

AFTER THE BREAK.

ROLLING BLACKOUTS ARE LEADING TO FOOD AND WATER SHORTAGES THROUGHOUT CUBA.

WE EXAMINED THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND GET A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.

COMING UP NEXT.

CUBA IS IN THE MIDST OF A WORSENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

THE U.S.

OIL BLOCKADE IMPOSED ON THE ISLAND NATION LEADING TO ROLLING BLACKOUTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN JANUARY.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IMPOSING NEW TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES THAT DIRECTLY SUPPLY OIL TO CUBA.

CUBA'S NATIONAL ELECTRIC GRID HAS COLLAPSED AT TIMES.

FOOD IS SCARCE WATER SYSTEMS ARE RUNNING DRY.

AND CUBANS FACE A SEVERE HEALTH CRISIS.

FOR MORE ON THE LATEST WITH CUBA AND ITS RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY PEGASUS PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, DR.

LUIS MARTINEZ FERNANDEZ.

DR.

MARTINEZ FERNANDEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR OUR AUDIENCE WHAT LIFE IS LIKE RIGHT NOW FOR CUBANS AT THIS POINT WITH REPORTS OF COMPLETE TOTAL ROLLING BLACKOUTS, ROTTING FOOD IN THE STREETS.

HOSPITAL SHUTTING DOWN SHORTAGES OF FOOD.

LOTS OF UNREST.

>> YES, WITH WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW MOMENTS DURING THE HISTORY OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION, THE CUBAN ECONOMY HAS BEEN IN CRISIS.

FOREIGN POWERS BEGINNING WITH THE SOVIET UNION.

AND LATER, A VENEZUELA WE'RE ABLE TO PROP THE COUNTRY UP.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY IS THE ROCK BOTTOM.

THE ECONOMY HAS COME TO A STANDSTILL.

WHICH IS NEVER BEEN ABUNDANT IS FAR SCARES.

ENERGY.

PEOPLE ARE COOKING WITH WOOD RATHER THAN GAS OR ELECTRICITY.

THERE ARE BLACKOUTS THAT LAST FOR I THINK THE LAST ONE LASTED FOR 3 DAYS EVEN WATER IS SCARCE BECAUSE THE PUMPS REQUIRE.

ENERGY FUEL.

SO AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS.

WE FIND A CRISIS OF FUEL.

AND THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT DECLARED AND I SAW THIS ON TV.

THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT DECLARE THAT THEY HAVE NO FUEL.

AND IF YOU HAVE NO FUEL EVERYTHING ELSE IS PARALYZED.

>> CAN YOU SUMMARIZE FOR OUR AUDIENCE, YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT HAS CAUSED THIS WORSENING CRISIS TO YOU BELIEVE IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF THE FUEL EMBARGO.

>> THE FUEL EMBARGO IS IS JUST ONE FACTOR.

THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR A LONG TIME.

STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS FOR EXAMPLE, THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NO INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE.

THAT'S THAT'S ONE OF THEM.

SECONDLY, A DEMORALIZED LEADERSHIP.

ALL EVEN THOUGH DON'T COST ARE STILL ALIVE.

WE SEE A NEWER GENERATION NO SPRING CHICKENS.

HOWEVER, THEIR IN THEIR 60'S AND NOR GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP, WHICH FLAUNTS ITS WEALTH.

AND HAS IS TONE DEAF TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF THE CUBAN PEOPLE.

THE OTHER FACTOR.

IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS HEARTENING OVER ITS POSITION ON CUBA.

SO TRYING TO WEAKEN THE REGIME TO THE POINT THAT IT COLLAPSES.

THIS INCLUDES ALL A TREE AND OIL EMBARGO.

BUT ACTUALLY IT'S AN OIL BLOCKADE, NOT PHYSICAL, BUT IT'S AN OIL BLOCKADE.

CUBANS ON THE ISLAND HAVE BEEN CALLING THE EMBARGO A BLOCKADE FOR DECADES.

IT HAS NOT BEEN A BLOCKADE UNTIL NOW.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS OF COURSE, THE THE FACT THAT CUBA WAS BENEFACTOR VENEZUELA IS NO LONGER PROVIDING THE COUNTRY WITH ALL TYPES OF SUPPORT, MAINLY FUEL.

I WOULD SAY THAT THOSE.

FOR 5 FACTORS EXPLAIN WHY CUBA HAS HIT ROCK BOTTOM.

AND WHY THE REGIME IS NOT LIKELY TO SURVIVE.

>> THE PROTESTS ARE RARE IN CUBA.

THEY BROKE OUT RECENTLY WHEN THE CIA DIRECTOR VISITED THE ISLAND.

2 REPORTEDLY TRY TO HELP MANAGE THIS CRISIS.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU BELIEVE HIS VISIT HAD OR OR HAS HAD AND IS HAVING CURRENTLY ON CUBANS.

>> CUBANS ARE SO DESPERATE THAT ANY SOLUTION THAT BRINGS DOWN THE BS REGIME.

HIS WELCOME.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

I'VE SEEN SOME IMAGES AND VIDEO GRAFFITI IN CUBA STREETS SAYING THANK YOU, TRUMP AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT KIND OF THING THAT THAT FORM OF PROTEST GRAFFITI WAS VERY, VERY RARE.

LIKEWISE STREET PROTESTS, BOWSER, VERY RARE.

WE HAVE THE EXCEPTION OF JULY OF 2021 WHEN MASSIVE.

PROTEST BROKE OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY ARE MORE MORE PROTESTS MAINLY AT NIGHT.

AND THEN WOMEN BANGING POTS AND PANS OF NOT JUST CALLING FOR ELECTRICITY BUT CALLING FOR THE END OF THE REGIME.

>> YOU HAVE ANY MORE THOUGHTS ON THE FUTURE RIGHT NOW?

WHAT'S THE HOPE FOR CUBA?

I MEAN, THIS IS JUST SUCH A DIRE SITUATION.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO CUBA, IT'S HARD TO PROGNOSTIC 8.

AND I'VE BEEN BURNED ONCE OR TWICE IN THE PAST.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT FOR THE REASONS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE CUBAN REGIME IS AT ITS MOST OF OR NORMAL POSITION.

IT'S REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.

I DON'T SEE IT SURVIVING.

I THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD BE A MATTER OF WEEKS AND MONTHS.

BUT THE WAR IN IRAN HAS SORT OF POSTPONED WHATEVER ACTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR CUBA.

KEEP IN MIND THAT MARCO RUBIO WHO'S A CUBAN AMERICAN STAUNCH ANTI-COMMUNIST, HAS SOME INFLUENCE ON THE PRECEDENT.

SO THAT IS YET ANOTHER FACTOR THAT.

EXPLAINS TO ME THAT THE DAYS OF THE REGIME ARE COUNTED, MAYBE THE WEEK.

SO THE REGIME OR THE MONTH OF THE REGIME ARE COUNTED.

BUT I DON'T SEE A SURVIVING MUCH LONGER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY WITH YOUR INSIGHT.

DR.

LUIS MARTINEZ, FERNANDEZ.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, PROVIDING A PATH TOWARDS A FUTURE FOR TEENAGE MOTHERS.

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES BOTH DIAPERS AND DIPLOMAS TO HELP FAMILIES GET BACK ON TRACK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.