Video: Scott Won’t Sign Budget Without Tax Cuts
April 18, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott said in his weekly radio-video address that any budget he signs into law will include tax cuts, and warned, “I will not compromise on these principles.”
So far, budgets passed by the House and Senate don’t have room for tax cuts, but as negotiations between the two chambers begin after the Easter break, it’s possible lawmakers could figure out a way to include them.
Neither House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, nor Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island has ruled them out, though both have expressed skepticism. The budget has to be cut by around $4 billion from this year’s spending plan because of falling tax revenue.
In his address, Scott said that for him to sign the budget will: reduce the size of government, reduce the cost of government and “pass those savings on to taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.” Scott has line item veto power – and could also veto the entire budget.
“Business and property tax cuts are critical to making Florida number one in job creation,” Scott said in the weekly address.
The Legislature is scheduled to end its session May 6.
Cantonment Man Enters Plea On Courthouse Weapons Charge
April 18, 2011
A 53-year old Cantonment man has pleaded no contest to lesser charges after allegedly brought a gun into the Escambia County courthouse late last year.
Perry Gray Jr., 54, was charged December 28 with carrying a concealed weapon, a third degree felony. But he entered a not contest plea recently to improper exhibition of a firearm, a first-degree misdemeanor. Adjudication was withheld by Judge Joel Boles.
If Gray successfully completes a pretrial program, the charge will be dismissed.
The gun was found in a pouch on a wheelchair being used by Gray. He told deputies that he forgot about the gun.
The court also ordered that Gray’s gun be returned to him.
Tate High AJROTC Places In State Drill Meet
April 18, 2011
The Tate High School AJROTC competed in the State Drill Meet recently in Lakeland. The regulation unarmed platoon placed 13th out of 29 teams, regulation armed platoon placed 10th out of 28 teams, and regulation armed squad placed 18th out of 34 teams.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pain At The Pump: $4 A Gallon Soon?
April 18, 2011
Gas is already over $4 a gallon in five states, while locally the pain at the pump continues to worsen.
Pump prices in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois are already over the four buck mark, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge, with Hawaii at $4.47 per gallon. The highest-ever average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $4.05 in July of 2008. Nationally, gas topped out a $4.11 per gallon before the economy went south.
The average price of a gallon of standard-grade gasoline in Escambia County was $3.78 on Sunday — slightly better than the statewide average of $3.83. That’s an increase of a quarter per a gallon from the month-ago price of $3.53, according to the daily price survey published by AAA. The same gallon of gas was $2.88 last year.
We asked our NorthEscambia.com Facebook friends what higher gas prices mean for them. Here are some of the responses:
“It means we are out of business,” said Donna Morris Bell of Flomaton of her logging pulpwood operation. “The profit margin was so thin that we were barely hanging on. When fuel prices started rising again, it pushed us over the edge. We shut the operation down and are now unemployed, as are all the people who worked for us.”
“High gas prices mean staying at home a lot more,” said Teresa Andress of Molino.
“That means we stay broke; no more putting the pocket change…on your dresser each night after a hard days work,” said Jessica Griffis of Flomaton.
For others, like Nicole Davis of Century, the high price at the pump means cutting expenses and luxuries just to afford gas to get to work.
But higher gas prices are a bit good news for Kim Salter of Brewton. “It means job security for my husband who is a production foreman offshore,” she said. “It also means more in our retirement plan because we have stock in the oil company.”
To join in this and other future discussion on our Facebook page, click here to become a NorthEscambia.com Facebook friend.
Century Council To Hold Special Meeting, Regular Session Today
April 18, 2011
The Century Town Council will meet twice today.
The council will hold a special meeting at 2:45 with town attorney Matt Dannheisser to consider two resolutions that would approve up to $33 million in bond issues for Sheltering Palms Foundation and Global Ministries Fellowship. The bond would be issued by the Capital Trust Agency, of which Century serves as a “second signature” for the City of Gulf Breeze.
The special meeting will also include discussion on adopting a local business tax ordinance and a report from the town’s mayor on a computer virus.
The Century Town Council’s regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Agenda items include regular discussion, an update to four Community Development Block Grant policies and a budget amendment for the 2010-2011 budget year.
For the special meeting agenda, click here. For the regular meeting agenda, click here.
Survey: Many Voters Support Code Cops With Guns
April 18, 2011
After a recent tentative decision by the Escambia County County Commission to allow Environmental Code Enforcement Officers to carry a firearm if they have a concealed weapons permit, a telephone polls shows Escambia citizens have mixed feelings about the idea.
Local polling company Open Market Research asked 400 likely voters their opinion on deputizing and arming code enforcement officers. Only 38 percent said yes, while just over 22.5 percent said no. That left about 40 percent of respondents undecided.
But when asked their opinion of code enforcement officers with concealed weapons permits being able to take their gun with them on the job, nearly 50 percent said yes, 22 percent said no and those left were undecided or needing more information.
“I think this shows the public understanding of the dangers facing even code enforcement officers in Escambia County” OMR Principal Greg Fink said.
NHS Varsity Vs. Junior Varsity Game Tuesday
April 18, 2011
The Northview High School baseball team will play an 14 inning game beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday between the school’s varsity and junior varsity teams.
The game will serve as a fundraiser for the baseball program. Admission will be $5 per person, with all proceeds going to support the Northview Chiefs baseball program.
Ascend Performance Materials Wins Safety Award
April 18, 2011
Ascend Performance Materials LLC received the 2010 CSX Chemical Safety Excellence Award for the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail through safe loading and maintenance of rail cars.
Ascend was one of 59 recipients of the award nationwide. To qualify for the award, each winner shipped 600 or more railcars on CSX safely through 2010 with no releases attributed to loading or unloading processes. Improper loading/unloading or failure to fully secure rail cars during those processes can result in what are referred to as non-accidental releases. Shippers include companies from the chemicals, fertilizer, agriculture and metals merchandise commodity markets as well as from emerging markets.
Ascend Performance Materials operates a manufacturing facility, formerly known as Solutia Inc., in Cantonment.
Two Guilty In Escambia Robbery
April 18, 2011
Co-defendants Tiderius Terrel Warren and Jazz Vonshay Dewindt have been found guilty by an Escambia County jury of robbery with a firearm, shooting at an occupied vehicle and two counts each of aggravated assault.
On August 8, 2010, siblings Ashley and Travis Benjamin were at the corner of Tarragona and Hernandez streets when Warren flagged their vehicle down and told them to pull over, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins. Dewindt came to the passenger window. Warren, Dewindt and a third unidentified male pulled out handguns and began demanding money. Dewindt grabbed Ashley’s purse. As Ashley and Travis quickly pulled away, all three pointed guns at the vehicle and fired multiple times into it.
Warren and Dewindt will be sentenced by Judge Linda L. Nobles once a pre-sentence investigation is concluded. They are each facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years state prison with a possible maximum of life in prison.
Local Girls Place In Miss Majorette Of Alabama Competition
April 18, 2011
Colbi Kendall and Scarlet Carter of Flomaton won first place awards in the Miss Majorette of Alabama Baton Twirling Competition this weekend in Wetumpka.
Carter competed for the first time in the one baton solo division and brought home first place in the one baton 13-15 year old novice division. Kendall competed in the beginner level for the 10-12 year olds and brought home first in one baton solo, first in show twirl and third in two baton.
Last month, Kendall competed in the open division of the Florida State Competition in Winter Haven and won first in two baton, third in show twirl and fifth in one baton solo.