Tallahassee, FL -- February 7, 2012 --

Several major issues were up for debate in Tallahassee on Tuesday, including property insurance, prisons and abortion.

One of the top political targets in Tallahassee is Citizens Insurance, the state-run insurance company of last resort.

A class-action lawsuit filed on Tuesday took aim at rate increases and the way they are calculated.

The lead plaintiff, 82-year-old Ruth Lauro, said her Pasco County home is being illegally valued by Citizens for more than double what it's worth. The increased valuation has caused her premium to double as well.

"I'm tired of eating rice. I can't afford anything else, believe me. They really did me in good, Citizens. I mean, they even upped my mortgage - it's over 500 dollars. I only get 630 dollars for Social Security!"

Groups protest anti-abortion bills in House
Escalating property insurance rates isn't the only issue galvanizing outrage in the halls of power.

Women are attacking Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP Legislature for some controversial bills in the House that are aimed at making it more difficult for a woman to get an abortion.

One of those bills would mandate a 24-hour waiting period, while another would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

"We've seen these legislators continue to waste our taxpayer money and our time and the legislative time attacking women and attacking children in the state of Florida, and we need that to stop!" Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, said.

Move to privatize prisons hits roadblock
Those bills may be moving through the House, but there is a growing chance controversial legislation to privatize Florida's states prison could stalled.

A plan to privatize every prison south of Orlando has stalled after revelations that the move may not save taxpayers any money.

On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union went on the attack over human rights issues.

"Private prisons have every incentive to maximize their profits by cutting corners, even at the expense of decent conditions and public safety," ACLUS spokesman David Shapiro said.

Privatization was due to come to a vote this week in the Senate, but right now it doesn't look like that will happen as the House is apparently split down the middle.

Lawmakers are also continuing to explore how to balance the state's $2-billion budget deficit.

The president of a South Florida community college told a key House committee that "there's no more low-hanging fruit" to cut in higher education.