Retailers Ask For BP To Pay For Local Sales Tax Holidays
December 15, 2010
Florida retailers on Tuesday said they are asking BP to spend $25 million to reimburse the state for a series of sales tax holidays beginning in February to help lure shoppers to the local Northwest Florida area that took a $454 million hit following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Citing a Florida TaxWatch study on lost retail revenue, Florida Retail Federation president and CEO Rick McAllister said the group is negotiating with BP to pay for three-day sales tax holidays beginning in February to help the lure tourists back to the five-county region after many canceled travel plans last summer because of the spill.
“This is not about claims for losses,” McAllister said. “This is about how we move forward. How do we return Northwest Florida to where it needs to be?”
McAllister said he expects to announce a deal within the next few weeks. The tentative proposal calls for a state sales tax holiday to run once a month between February and August. The proposal would limit the tax-free status to items under $200. BP would pay the sales tax that would have been levied. Marketing campaigns and incentives would piggyback on promotional programs coordinated through the lodging and tourism efforts. The holidays would run Friday through Sunday in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
McAllister said Tuesday the holidays could be put in place without having to ask the Legislature for approval as long as the taxes were paid on time to the Department of Revenue. Agency spokesman Rene Watters said Tuesday that the details of the proposal were still being reviewed.
A study by Florida TaxWatch estimated retailers in a five county region — including Escambia and Santa Rosa — saw sales fall $454 million between May and September, including $239 million in taxable sales. The downturn translates into $14.3 million in lost state sales tax revenue and another $1.1 million in local tax collections.
Prior to the spill, the region was experiencing year-to-year revenue gains that outpaced the statewide average, a trend that reversed itself following the April 20 explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig. Tourism related taxable sales over the critical summer period fell 7.1 percent n the region compared to a 2.8 percent gain statewide.
“June 2010 broke a streak of 17 consecutive months where Northwest Florida was doing better than the state as a whole,” said Kurt Wenner, TaxWatch vice president for tax research. “Then all of a sudden, it fell off the table. ”
Laurie Olshefsky, who with her husband owns four Panhandle businesses, said the summer sales were off by 30 percent, a considerable drop after seeing double digit growth leading up to the spill. Like other retailers in the region, she relies on the summer tourism season for a large portion of her annual sales.
“When the oil spill hit, people stopped coming and they went other places where they were guaranteed to have a good time with their families.”Olshefsky said. “We were blessed that we were not hit by the oil spill, but we were damaged financially. ”
Retailers are worried tourists who cancelled plans to visit the Panhandle last summer and went elsewhere, will not return this summer. Other summer destinations benefited by the bad publicity that cast a shroud over the entire gulf region and prompted financially pinched tourists to look elsewhere for summer fun.
“What keeps me awake at night in regard to Northwest Florida is all those people who went to Myrtle Beach last year instead of going to Destin or Panama City Beach or Pensacola. Did they find something there that they enjoyed so they are going to try it one more year?” McAllister said.
By Michael Peltier, The News Service Florida
Pictured top: Kurt Wenner, president of tax research for Florida TaxWatch, briefs reporters on the freefall of retail sales in the Florida Panhandle. Florida Retail Federal President Rick McAllister (left) said the organization has asked BP to pay for series of sales tax holidays to boost sales in the region. Photo by Michael Peltier for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Board Meeting Canceled
December 14, 2010
The regular meeting of the Escambia County School Board scheduled for Tuesday night was canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances”, according to a school district release.
The new meeting date and time will be Tuesday, January 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 160 of the J. E. Hall Education Center.
Fire Weather Warning; One Brush Fire Reported
December 14, 2010
A fire weather warning is in effect for this afternoon due to an elevated fire danger, and one North Escambia brush fire has been reported.
The small brush fire was reported about 2:45 p.m. on Occie Phillips Road near Walnut Hill. No structures were in danger from the fire. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue quickly brought the fire under control.
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring now. A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity create enhanced fire growth potential. Outdoor burning is discouraged.
FHSAA Announces New Districts For Area Schools In All Sports
December 14, 2010
The Florida High School Athletic Association has new classifications and district assignments for the 2011-12 and 2012-2013 school years, including the new Rural Division and a Pensacola powerhouse football district.
Class 1A-Rural
The new 1A Rural division includes 36 schools for football — 47 for other sports — among rural schools with a student population of 44 to 600. The football district aligns just four schools — Northview, Jay, Freeport and Baker — in District 1-1A Rural.
Northview, Jay, Holmes County, Freeport, Chipley and Baker will be grouped in District 3-1A Rural for baseball, basketball and softball. In volleyball, Northview, Jay, Laurel Hills, Freeport, Central and Baker will comprise District 1-1A Rural.
6A Pensacola Area Schools
In Pensacola, there will be lots of football competition in District 1-6A with all of the local big school powerhouse teams — Tate, Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington.
In baseball, basketball, softball and volleyball, the Tate Aggies will be the only Pensacola area team in District 1-6A, joining Choctawhatchee, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville. Escambia, Milton, Navarre, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington will be grouped in District 2-6A in the non-football sports.
Appeals
Schools will have the opportunity to appeal their classification and district assignments. The appeals must be filed with the Florida High School Athletic Association by January 7, 2011.
FOOTBALL
Class 1A Rural
District 1
Baker
Freeport
Jay
Northview (Bratt)
Class 6A
District 1
Escambia (Pensacola)
Milton
Pace
Pensacola
Pine Forest (Pensacola)
Tate (Cantonment)
Washington (Pensacola)
BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL
Class 1A Rural
District 3
Baker
Chipley
Freeport
Holmes County (Bonifay)
Jay
Northview (Bratt)
Class 6A
District 1
Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach)
Crestview
Fort Walton Beach
Niceville
Tate (Cantonment)
District 2
Escambia (Pensacola)
Milton
Navarre
Pace
Pensacola
Pine Forest (Pensacola)
Washington (Pensacola)
Dozen Fires So Far This Month In Escambia, Santa Rosa
December 14, 2010
With two fires on Monday, a total of a dozen residential fires have been reported during the month of December and fire safety campaigns in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. None of the fires have been in the northernmost portion of the two counties.
Escambia County — Eighth Red Bulb In “Keep the Wreath Green” Safety Campaign
A kitchen fire at 12:38 p.m. Monday in the 9300 block of Silcox Lane was the eighth red bulb in the Escambia County “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
The fire, declared out at 12:51 p.m., caused moderate damage to the kitchen and minor smoke damage in other parts of the home. The cause of the fire was determined to have been from a burner that had been accidentally turned on and subsequently overheated a pan of oil, causing it to catch fire. Firefighters from Beulah, Ensley, Osceola and Bellview responded to the scene.
Santa Rosa County — Fourth Candle Extinguished On Fire Safety Tree
A residential fire on Monday night in the 5600 block of Milligan Ford Road in Pace represents the fourth candle to be extinguished on the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” fire safety tree in Santa Rosa County. A resident of the home reported the fire at 8:40 p.m., and crews arrived on scene at 8:58 p.m. Pace, Avalon, Allentown, Cantonment and Ferry Pass fire departments responded to the fire that displaced a family of four. There were no injuries reported and the residents are staying with family and friends.
Pace Fire and Rescue Chief Donnie Wadkins estimated the fire damaged approximately 25 percent of the home. The fire is believed to have started in a hole or crack in fireplace chimney flue.
Health Care Law Struck Down; Fight Continues In Pensacola
December 14, 2010
Florida’s lawsuit in Escambia County against the new federal health care law isn’t any less important in light of a ruling Monday by a federal judge in Virginia invalidating a key component of the law, backers of the Florida challenge said.
In statement released shortly after Monday’s ruling, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum said the state will proceed to make arguments Thursday in Pensacola asking U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to go further than the Virginia ruling by invalidating the expansion of Medicaid to nearly 2 million anticipated additional recipients whose care would be partially paid by the state under the new law.
“The implementation of this law could add more than 1.9 million Floridians to the Medicaid program, a tremendous financial burden on our state at a time when our budget has no room for extra expenses, McCollum said. “As our lawsuit heads to oral argument this Thursday, I am hopeful we will obtain a favorable decision that will strike down the individual mandate and also halt the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars required to be spent by states to implement the Affordable Care Act.”
Ultimately, the issue is likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the Virginia case, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson struck down a provision of the health care insurance act that requires individuals to carry insurance whether they want to or not. The Minimum Essential Coverage Provision is critical to finance the other components of the plan.
“The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers,” Hudson wrote. “At its core, this dispute is not simply about regulating the business of insurance – or crafting a scheme of universal health insurance coverage – it’s about an individual’s right to choose to participate.”
While Florida’s lawsuit also challenges congressional abiity to require coverage, the lawsuit additionally claims the sweeping reform of the $2.5 trillion U.S. health care system violates state government rights in the U.S. Constitution and will force massive new spending on already hard-pressed state legislatures.
The new health care law is a cornerstone of Obama’s domestic agenda and aims to expand health insurance for millions more Americans while curbing costs. White House officials have insisted it is constitutional and necessary to stem huge projected increases in health care expenses by providing coverage for those who don’t have it, whose care is paid for by everyone else.
The Florida case has been joined by 19 other states. Plaintiffs also include the National Federation of Independent Business.
Vinson has scheduled testimony for Thursday in Pensacola to determine whether to make a summary judgment in the case, which most observers say will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. In September, Vinson refused to dismiss portions of the case as requested by Department of Justice attorneys.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service Florida
New Netbook Computers For Ernest Ward, Northview
December 14, 2010
Four dozen new netbook computers are being purchased for a couple of North Escambia schools.
The Escambia County School District is purchasing 22 Dell netbooks for Ernest Ward Middle School and 26 Dell netbooks for Northview High School. The netbooks are part of a $489,283.72 technology purchase of over 500 computers for schools across the district.
The netbooks for student use at Ernest Ward and Northview are Dell Latitudes with 1.83 Ghz processors, 2GB RAM, 160GB hard drives, Microsoft Office Pro 2007 and a three year warranty.
Man Punched In Face After Wreck Dies; Manslaughter Charges Filed
December 14, 2010
A Pensacola man has been charged with manslaughter after he punched another man in the face and the victim died from his injuries.
Pensacola Police said Telly Jabar Hill, 27, of Pensacola was charged Monday afternoon in connection with the incident that occurred around 6:30 p.m Saturday.
The victim has been identified as Terry Lindon Kelley, 34, of Pace.
Witnesses told police Hill was involved in a minor car crash at 601 W. Cervantes St. When Kelley exited his auto to view the damages, witnesses said that Hill, who was an occupant of the other car, punched Kelley one time in the face with his fist.
Kelley fell to the ground and received a massive head injury. He was taken to Baptist Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries Monday afternoon.
Hill, who immediately fled the scene, was found Monday afternoon only blocks from the scene of the crime. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail on without bond on the manslaughter charge, plus charges drug related and destroying evidence.
The crash remains under investigation.
Tonight’s Century Relay Meetings Canceled
December 14, 2010
The Century Relay for Life meetings that were scheduled for tonight have been canceled. The steering committee will meet again on January 4; other meetings will be announced.
For more information about the Century Relay for Life, or to sign up a team online, visit CenturyRelay.com.
Forest Stewardship Video Conference Today For Landowners
December 14, 2010
A Forest Stewardship Video conference will be presented Tuesday by the Santa Rosa County Extension Office at the Jay Community Center at 5259 Booker Lane in Jay.
The event will provide an update on provisions that provide property tax exemption for real property dedicated in perpetuity for conservation, as well as a current use tax assessment of land used for conservation. Landowners will also learn how to apply for the exemptions.
The event will take place from 2 until 4 p.m. today. For more information, click here.