Fla. House To Consider State Worker Health Benefits
April 20, 2011
Looking to curb health-insurance costs, a House committee Wednesday will take up a bill that could eventually lead to reduced benefits for state employees.
The bill would require a new menu of health-care packages in 2013 and calls for a possible shift to a “defined contribution” plan in 2014 or 2015. In such a plan, the state likely would contribute a set amount of money for each employee — who then would face greater responsibility to make coverage choices and pay additional costs.
It is unclear whether state workers will see increases in their insurance costs in 2012. The House bill does not address the issue, while a Senate budget proposal would lead to $20-a-month premium increases for rank-and-file employees who have family coverage.
Also, it appears the bill leaves open the possibility that lawmakers and legislative employees could continue to receive lower-cost insurance in the future than rank-and-file workers.
The House Health & Human Services Committee will roll out the bill (PCB HHSC 11-09) as lawmakers get ready to deal with a crush of major issues during the final two weeks of the annual legislative session.
Employee health insurance is a huge cost for the state: The Senate’s 2011-12 budget proposal puts the tab at $2 billion. This year, family coverage for a rank-and-file employee costs $14,920, with the state paying $12,760 and the employee paying $2,160, according to information presented to a Senate committee in February.
As they struggle with budget problems, Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott have called for reining in the costs and making the insurance program more like private-sector plans.
But the issue is controversial with state workers, who have long argued that good benefits are a trade-off for accepting lower pay than many could earn in private industry.
Rep. Alan Williams, a Tallahassee Democrat whose district includes tens of thousands of state workers, called the proposed changes “short-sighted” and linked them to Scott. The governor and Republican legislative leaders also have called for requiring state employees to pay into the state pension system.
“I just think to do this at this time is a continual assault on state employees,” Williams said.
House Health & Human Services Chairman Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, could not be reached for comment.
The House bill calls for creating four different levels of benefits in 2013, dubbed the “platinum, gold, silver and bronze” levels. The platinum level would offer the richest benefits but also would cost the most.
As an illustration, the platinum level benefits would be “actuarially equivalent” to 90 percent of the benefits covered in 2012. At the low end, the bronze level would be 60 percent of the 2012 benefits.
The bill does not spell out what benefits would be covered at each level or how much the packages would cost.
But the bill sets up a new formula for how much the state would contribute to the coverage, with the amounts varying by benefit plan. Also, with the platinum level expected to be the most-expensive coverage, workers who choose lower-cost plans could receive extra pay to make up part of the differences in state contributions.
Under the bill, the Legislature would decide in 2013 whether to move forward with a defined-contribution plan. Such a move would happen in 2014 or possibly as late as 2015.
While details are far from clear, one type of defined-contribution plan involves a combination of what are known as “health-savings accounts” and high-deductible insurance policies.
In those cases, employers and workers put money into accounts that help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses. Those accounts are coupled with high-deductible coverage to pay for catastrophic expenses.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Consumers Wary Of Gulf Seafood; Gov. Scott Says ‘It’s Safe’
April 20, 2011
Despite repeated studies showing no detectable effects from the BP oil spill, Florida seafood continues to get a black eye in the minds of Florida consumers, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Agriculture.
The survey found that 63 percent of Floridians have concerns over seafood safety, up from 48 percent in January.
“Over the last year, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has tested 230 samples, and our results confirm that Florida seafood is safe to eat,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “The fact that we’ve found nothing of concern to the public is good news. Unfortunately, that message is not out there.”
Gov. Rick Scott said he hopes to change that perception through advertising and marketing efforts like the tour of the Panhandle he’s on this week.
“We know that it is safe,” said Scott, who attended a fish fry Tuesday evening. “The bigger concern would be if it wasn’t. …. Our job is to make everyone in the world know that that not only does it taste good but it’s safe.”
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott fishing along the Gulf Coast Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Story By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Photos: Molino 16 Jag Girls Advancing In Midseason Tourney
April 20, 2011
The Molino 16U Jags are in the top four of the ongoing Midseason Tournament at Bellview Park. The girls will be in action Wednesday night to determine if they make the championship game Friday night.
For a photo gallery of the Molino 16U Jags in action, click here.
Have news and photos from your favorite local team? Email news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos by Deni Deron for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fighting Children Leads To Shooting; One Arrested
April 19, 2011
One person has been arrested in connection with a shooting Monday in Atmore.
Atmore Police responded to a disturbance call at the Bragg Street Apartments on Monday where they found that Anthony McCants, 27, had sustained a single gunshot wound to the back.
Frances Tyrone Blount, 32, was charged with first degree assault in connection with the shooting. Witnesses told Atmore Police that a Blount pulled a handgun and shot McCants after an altercation in at the apartment complex.
Witnesses at the scene told Atmore Police officers that Monday’s disturbance started because of an incident over the weekend involving children fighting at the apartment complex. The mothers of the two children got into a physical altercation while walking with their children to the bus stop on Monday. Witnesses stated after that altercation a large crowd armed with baseball bats gathered in one of the parking lots and began fighting just prior to the shooting.
McCants was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by family members. His condition was not available.
Florida Won’t Join Federal Suit Against Oil Spill Rig Owner
April 19, 2011
Florida is not ready to jump into federal court to recover millions in lost revenue from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and will go its own way for now in talks with the oil company and other players responsible for the April 20 spill that clobbered the Panhandle economy last year.
Touring the Florida Panhandle on the eve of the first anniversary of the largest oil spill in U.S. history, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi said the state will not join in a federal lawsuit filed in New Orleans to recoup money from Transocean, the company that built the oil rig that exploded, killing 11 workers and spewing more than 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf, ruining last summer for many along a coast that depends heavily on tourists and fishing.
Speaking to reporters following a tour of Eastern Shipbuilding, a Panama City company that builds supply vessels used to support oil rigs, Scott said the state will focus its attentions on its continuing negotiations with BP, whose oil spilled out of the well, at least until those talks no longer bear fruit.
“It doesn’t make sense for the state to join that lawsuit,” Scott said. “We have a plan to make sure our state is treated fairly with regard to getting reimbursed by British Petroleum for the damages to our state.”
Bondi said state officials have ongoing talks with BP in an effort to come up with a number acceptable to all parties. Right now, those talks remain productive.
“It’s our responsibility to get as much money for them as quickly as we can,” Bondi told the News Service before a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet in Panama City. “The Transocean deadline does not affect us, nor will it affect us if we eventually choose to enter litigation.
“Right now, we’re attempting to reach a settlement,” Bondi said. “What we would do if we did go to litigation, would be to go through the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 before engaging in litigation.”
The federal act requires the state to present a claim directly to BP instead of going to court. Attorneys for the state plan to file an interim claim within the next several months after they get a better handle on damages incurred. If that fails, the state will follow it with litigation against BP.
“If we have to file a claim we will,” Scott said.
Bondi and Scott made their comments as the pair travelled to the Panhandle on a promotional swing as the region enters it tourist season, which, unlike the South Florida season, peaks in the summer. Scott’s itinerary included stops at local shops in downtown Panama City, and a charter fishing trip. He planned stops in Destin and Pensacola on Wednesday, the actual one-year anniversary of the explosion.
The visit comes as local tourism officials and businesses say the initial results point toward a rebound in business as the 2011 tourist season comes into view.
“We’re stomping it,” said Pat Lamar, owner of The Canoe Shop in downtown Panama City. “Nobody talks about the spill anymore, we’re looking ahead. You have to, right?”
Eastern Shipping owner Brian D’Isernia said the spill took its toll. The federal moratorium on deepwater drilling cost him orders for three supply ships.
“It was very difficult to take,” he said of the moratorium.
While the state continues to pursue its recovery, individuals and private businesses continue their own process for reimbursement for lost income under the direction of the BP Gulf Coast Claims Facility, run by Federal Claims Administrator Ken Feinberg. As of Monday, the group has paid out about $3.8 billion to 176,000 claimants region-wide.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Killam Squared: Brother And Sister Running For UWF SGA President, VP
April 19, 2011
Call them Killam Squared — a brother and sister from North Escambia are running for president and vice president of the University of West Florida Student Government Association.
(For an update to this story, click here.)
Luke Killam is seeking the president’s post, while sister Rachel Killam is his running mate for SGA vice president. Both are honors graduates (Rachel in 2007 and Luke in 2009) from Northview High School, and both were presidents of their respective senior classes.
Luke, an engineer major, is campaigning on a promise to veto any bill that comes through the SGA Senate that ignores the voice of the students and cut the SGA budget in wasteful areas.
“It’s time to make a stand for what we believe in. It’s time to take the University of West Florida to the next level, and we pledge to use our uniquely unified front to take the Student Government Association of UWF in a direction that is solely governed by the students,” Luke Killam said.
And sister Rachel is ready to serve as vice president and help her younger brother.
“I have been assisting Luke since I was two years old with ‘tasks’ from tying his shoes, to teaching him how to snap, to giving him advice with his girlfriends. I really feel our background will make us a really strong team if we are elected SGA president and vice president,” said Rachel, a biology major that plans to attend dental school in the fall.
The SGA elections will be held Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. for UWF students online through Argus or in the student commons.
And, for those keeping score in the Killam political arena — the third child in the family, Sarah Killam, is currently SGA president for the Class of 2010-2011 at Northview High School.
Pictured top: Brother and sister Luke and Rachel Killam are running for SGA president and vice president at the University of West Florida. Pictured inset: Luke and Rachel Killam in a childhood photo. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Must Revamp Business License Rules, Costs
April 19, 2011
The Town of Century failed to update their business license regulations and fees as required by the state by 2008, now the town must try to backtrack and fix the error.
In 1971, the responsibility of issuing building licenses in Florida shifted from the state to local governments. Century adopted a business license scheduled in 1981. But following the 2005 to 2006 Florida hurricanes, Florida mandated that the business licenses should no longer be called a “license”, but rather a tax.
According to Century’s town attorney, Matt Dannheisser, unscrupulous contractors in the state would obtain business licenses in order to give credibility to their hurricane repair businesses, prompting the state to give local municipalities until October 2008 to adopt a local business tax receipt schedule. Century, Dannheisser said, failed to do so.
Now, the town has a few choices, the attorney said –
- Adopt the 1971 state rates and business classes
- Adopt business class and rates properly adopted by an adjacent local government such as Escambia County, if the Escambia County scheduled was adopted using an equity study commission.
- If Escambia County did not adopt their schedule using an equity study commission, Century could then look at other comparable size towns in Florida and adopt their schedule what was recommended by an equity study commission.
To date, Dannheiser and Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez have been unable with simple searches to find the 1971 state rates.
If Century adopts the Escambia County rates, all business tax receipts will be $26.25. Currently, under their outdated law, Century collects $25 per business with few exceptions — such as $100 per day for circuses and $100 per week for carnivals.
The town council will consider business tax classes and fees at a future meeting after more research. There are currently 56 companies and individuals that hold a business license in Century.
Pictured: The Town of Century must revamp its current business license regulations and fees paid by businesses like Food Giant (seen in the aerial photo at top) and Whataburger. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Looking For A Job? McDonald’s Is Hiring 50,000 Today
April 19, 2011
Several area McDonald’s restaurants will take part in a national hiring day today to fill 50,000 jobs under the golden arches nationwide.
“Our national hiring event is an opportunity to invite more people across the country to join our team, and learn that a McJob is one with career growth and endless possibilities,” said McDonald’s USA President Jan Fields in a company press release.
Nationwide, the company is expected to spend $518 million on the new wages and salaries for positions created by growth and as more restaurants remain open 24 hours a day.
Applicants can apply at any McDonald’s location today — including Atmore and Cantonment — or apply online now at McDonalds.com/careers.
Pictured: The McDonald’s on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trial Set In DUI Death Of Cantonment Man
April 19, 2011
Trial has been set for a Pace man charged with the traffic death of a Cantonment man.
Motorcyclist Matthew Christopher Harrison, 29, of Cantonment, was eastbound on Highway 90 in Pace on April 10, 2010, when he was struck by a Ford Taurus driven by Ronnie L. Henley, 49, of Pace. Harrison laid down his motorcycle in an attempt to avoid Henley, but he was run over by Henley’s car, according to the FHP. Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene.
Henley (pictured) was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash with death, and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. His trial is now set to begin May 9 in Santa Rosa County.
Henley immediately fled the scene, according to the FHP. Witnesses, including an off-duty Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy, followed him. Henley was stopped at the intersection of Floridatown Road and Cotton Road where he was arrested.
Troopers found Henley to be under the influence of alcohol, and blood samples were turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. His blood alcohol level was found to be .243, about three times the legal limit. A small amount of marijuana was also located in the Taurus, the FHP said.
Henley was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash with death, and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $505,000.
Century Signs Off On $33 Million In Bond Issues For Low Income Apts.
April 19, 2011
The Town of Century has voted to approve the issuance of up to $33 million in revenue bonds to rehab low income apartments in Orlando and Miami, part of a partnership with Gulf Breeze that has earned the town over a half million dollars in just over a decade.
The approval was granted by Century and Gulf Breeze as members of the Capital Trust Agency, an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
Since the inception of the agreement, Century has earned over a half million dollars in fees since the inception of CTA.
Century and Gulf Breeze Attorney Matt Dannheisser said that the CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities.
Up to $17 million in bonds will be issued for Sheltering Palms Foundation, Inc. to acquire and improve existing low income multi-family rental housing facilities for low income families. Properties to be acquired include the Bayou Crossing Apartments in Riverview, Florida and the Oasis Club Apartments in Orlando.
In a separate action, up to $16 million will be loaned to the Tennessee company Global Ministries Fellowship to acquire the TM Alexander Apartments in Miami. The apartments will be upgraded and reconditioned for low income persons. The real estate deal with the ministry is set to close May 6. The town had approved the same project for a different company in 2009, but that project never came to fruition.
For serving as the second signature for CTA, Century is paid $350 per $1 million financed with a $2,500 minimum fee.
Picture top: The Oasis Club Apartments in Orlando. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.