Lawmakers Push To Collect Taxes On Your Internet Purchases
April 6, 2011
As lawmakers consider budget plans that make deep cuts in health care and other state spending, supporters of boosting revenues by broadening existing taxes are pushing to collect taxes due on Internet purchases.
On a 5-1 vote, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a measure aimed at trying to subject Floridians’ Internet retail purchases to the state’s sales tax. The bill would bring Florida’s sales tax code closer in line with other states to make it easier for online retailers to gather the tax for the state — something many of them do not currently do.
State residents are technically already required to pay sales taxes on Internet purchases, but as a practical matter, few do.
“This is not a new tax,” said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach. “It is simply a tax that is not being collected.”
Brick-and-mortar retailers support the bill, saying the current system gives online outlets an unfair price advantage, an argument lawmakers who support the change adopted.
But it’s not clear how far the measure will go after legislative leaders have spent months pledging to fill the state’s $3.75 billion budget shortfall without new taxes.
Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, argued that state retailers should be adapting to the new Internet economy in order to level the playing field.
“I think that’s the more fair way to do it,” she said, “not by saying we’re going to add a tax to our friends and neighbors who are trying to save money.”
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Senate Panel Approves Virtual School Overhaul
April 6, 2011
A wide-ranging bill that revamps Florida’s virtual education programs was unanimously approved by a Senate education committee on Tuesday.
The bill removes a mandate that school districts offer virtual instruction programs and allows them to contract with other districts or virtual school providers approved by the Department of Education.
Students in public and private schools as well as home-schooled children could enroll, a change from current law which only permits public school students to enroll. The funding formula used to pay districts for virtual students is also revamped so that it is based primarily on “seat time” versus course completion.
Students beginning in school year 2011-12 would be required to take at least one online course in order to meet high school graduation requirements.
“This bill creates equity and clarity in our current system,” said Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami. “We need to give access to all Florida students to take as many online classes as wanted.”
But Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, said after the meeting he had concerns about shifting control of virtual schools programming away from school districts.
“We’ve got to make sure the school districts themselves retain control over any program that goes on in their district…you can’t just farm that out,” Montford said. There is no identical measure in the House.
School Prayer Bill Shelved
April 6, 2011
A proposal to permit school prayers at sporting events and graduation ceremonies was blasted Tuesday by critics for oppressing minority religions at a Senate education committee.
Critics said the measure would require schools to police school prayer, which might violate federal law. Even by using the word “prayer,” the bill raises red flags because it indicates support for one religion, critics said.
“In order to protect religious freedoms of all students, including those of minority religious faiths, we must guard against promotion or endorsement of one set of religious beliefs over another,” said Danielle Prendergast, the public policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, authorizes school boards to adopt resolutions regarding the use of prayers or inspirational messages. It permits prayers led by students and requires that prayers be nonsectarian. It also prohibits school faculty or staff from participating or influencing prayers.
But after the Anti-Defamation League and the ACLU said the bill could violate federal and state constitutional prohibitions of the endorsement of religion by schools, the bill was temporarily postponed on Tuesday.
Critics of the bill said they have no objection to students praying among themselves, or laws that allow for “moments of silence.” But when it becomes a public school policy to allow school prayer it could violate long-established federal and state laws that prohibit taxpayer-funded institutions from endorsing any religion.
Siplin said the intent is not to promote one religion over another. “Over 36 states have this kind of language,” Siplin said. He said the bill explicitly states the prayer must be non-sectarian.
But an attorney with the Anti-Defamation League said by putting parameters around what students can say puts school districts in the position of policing school prayers. “When a school is getting involved, when a message becomes school-sponsored or school-endorsed, that is when you cross the constitutional threshold,” said David Barkey, an attorney with the Anti-Defamation League.
“This bill is fundamentally unfair to school districts,” Barkey said. “It will set them up for costly litigation.”
In 2008, the Santa Rosa School District was sued by the ACLU for allowing school-sponsored prayers.
The next year, the district agreed to an order that prohibited school officials from promoting, organizing or endorsing religious services or promoting their personal beliefs.
Siplin’s bill has a House companion that has not been heard in any committees. With the halfway mark of the session nearing, it becomes increasingly difficult for bills that have not been heard in committees to become law.
Last year lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits school boards or school officials from taking steps to infringe upon First Amendment rights of employees or students unless those rights are waived.
Pictured: The Northview High School Class of 2009 Baccalaureate service at a Bratt church. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Extension Service Gathers Community Input
April 6, 2011
About two dozen people took part in an Escambia County Extension Service public meeting Tuesday evening in Century. Extension officials gathered input as they develop a community vision for their programs in Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lucile B. Merritt
April 6, 2011
Lucile B. Merritt, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home early Tuesday morning, April 5, 2011. She leaves a lasting legacy for her children, grandchildren, and all her family. Hers was a life of caring for those she loved. Now for her there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor suffering, nor pain for all these things are passed. For those of us left behind there shall be a time to mourn, followed by the comfort of knowing she will always be with us. We were her joy, and we are so thankful to have the benefit of her wisdom and guidance. She was a great cook, and feeding people was one way she showed her love. We would laugh about how many seconds we could be with her before she was offering everyone something to eat. We were blessed to have her for so long and to have all our cherished memories.
She requested a private graveside service, and we are following her wishes. While she may be absent from the body, she is present with the Lord. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Rev. Larry Huff will conduct the service.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice or Whitmire Cemetery Assoc., 9200 Chisholm Road, Pensacola 32514.
She is preceded in death by her husband, W.B. “Bill” Merritt Sr. and her sisters, Ruby Martin and Ernestine Meharg.
She is survived by her son, W.B. “Bill” Merritt Jr. and his wife, Peggy; her daughters, Ellen Atchison and her husband, James and Sue Lowman and he husband, Jim; her sister, Oneida Marquis; 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; two special caregivers, Denise Menninger and LeAnne Laszko; numerous nieces and nephews.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, is in charge of arrangements.
Fire Damages Brush Cutter
April 5, 2011
Fire damaged a brush cutter in Enon Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported in a wooded area along Dan Hall Road just north of Highway 97A about 3:30. The fire was mostly out by the time firefighters from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue arrived. There were no injuries.
Pictured above: Fire damaged a brush cutter in Enon Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Inmates Seize Dorm At Holman Prison After Cell Phone Dispute
April 5, 2011
Inmates took control of a dorm Tuesday morning at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore after a dispute between and office and an inmate over a contraband cell phone.
At about 7:30 a.m., inmates took control of A-dorm at Holman, a maximum security prison, according to Brian Corbett, spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections.
“For safety reasons, Holman supervisors ordered officers out of the dorm and into the hallway. No initial injuries or destruction of property were reported. The dorm houses approximately 115 inmates, not all of whom participated in the standoff,” according to Corbett.
Equipped with riot gear, the ADOC’s Correctional Emergency Response Team arrived and was met with continued inmate disobedience. Initial attempts at compliance were refused. At approximately 11:15 a.m., CERT, under the direction of Institutional Coordinator Grantt Culliver, entered and regained control of the dorm with no injury to staff. There were few minor injuries to inmates who refused lawful orders, none requiring off-site medical treatment.
Staff from both Holman and Fountain correctional facilities, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department, and the Atmore Police Department responded to the situation.
“Quick and decisive actions by the CERT team, our staff, and local law enforcement authorities help to resolve this issue, ” said Kim Thomas, ADOC Commissioner. “Everyone involved has my personal thanks for such a professional response and handling of this situation.”
The cause of the disturbance remains under investigation.
Minor Injuries: Motorized Power Chair Hit By Pickup
April 5, 2011
A man on motorized power chair was struck by a pickup truck late Tuesday morning in Century.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Charles Jarman, 70, of Flomaton was traveling in the roadway when his Jazzy power chair was struck by a pickup truck driven by Jerry Fischer, 71, of Century at the intersection of Bradley Street and Hecker Road about 11:05 a.m.
Jarman was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. Fischer was not injured.
Charges are pending the accident, according to the FHP, as their investigation continues.
Pictured above: The man on this motorized power chair was struck by a pickup Tuesday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Storm Cleanup Continues
April 5, 2011
The cleanup is continuing around the area this morning following last night’s storm.
No injuries were reported, but numerous trees and power lines were downed across the area. For more details on damages, click here.
Picture above and below: Crews work Tuesday morning to remove a large oak tree on Upper Creek Road north of Flomaton. Submitted photos by Amy Lambeth for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storms Cause Power Outages, Down Trees, Damage Homes
April 5, 2011
A line of storms that moved through the North Escambia area Monday night caused minor damage — including downed trees and power outages.
Hundreds were left without power across the area, with outages reported in Molino, Century, Cantonment, Walnut Hill, Atmore and Flomaton. Many were still without power at daybreak Tuesday.
In Walnut Hill, a large portion of an oak tree crashed into the roof of a mobile home on Juniper Street, just north of Arthur Brown Road. There were little damage to the home, and there were no injuries. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue assisted the residents in removing the tree from the home.
Trees and power lines were reported down near Jacks Branch and Muscogee Roads in the Cantonment area. One tree was reported to be on fire. Power lines were reported down on Country Road 97 near West Kingsfield Road about 10:45 p.m. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Dime to penny size hail was reported in Chumuckla in Santa Rosa County.
In Escambia County, Alabama, numerous trees were reported down north of Brewton in the Appleton community.
A trained weather spotter reported a wind gust of 55 mph on Creighton Road in Pensacola. A tree was reported down in the area. An official wind gust of 53 mph was reported by the National Weather Service.
On Diamond Street in Pace, a tree was reported down on a mobile home. Eight people were evacuated from the residence and assisted by the American Red Cross.
Pictured top and inset: A large portion of an oak tree crashed into a Juniper Street mobile home as storms moved through Walnut Hill Monday night. Pictured below: Volunteers from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue evaluate the scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
