Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: And They’re Back
January 14, 2012
State lawmakers kicked off an election-year, budget-cutting, once-a-decade-political- remapping session this week as Gov. Rick Scott called for further tax cuts and $1 billion more for education while assuring Floridians that good times are returning.
Ushered into a January session in a constitutionally mandated effort to draw new political boundaries in time for the 2012 elections, legislative leaders took little time to caution voters of potentially painful cuts as they work to craft a budget that may fall up to $2 billon short.
Meanwhile, proposals to make significant changes to the state’s no-fault automobile insurance, and a controversial piece of gambling legislation began their separate treks through the chambers, which both cranked back into action.
SCOTT TALKS DONUTS, JOBS AND EDUCATION:
Visibly more at ease than he was a year ago, Gov. Rick Scott delivered his second State of the State speech to a joint session of the Legislature, saying the signs of economic recovery are in the air and his plans to bring 700,000 new jobs to the state are on track.
Scott kept his message limited by focusing on public education, auto insurance reform and his mantra of more jobs.
“The decisions we make in the next few months will determine whether we continue to create a business climate that will provide new jobs and opportunities for Floridians; whether we fully recapture that spirit of human potential that is at the core of what it means to be a Floridian,” Scott said. “I’m absolutely convinced that we will.”
Otherwise short on specifics, the governor called on lawmakers to find at least a $1 billion more for public education while holding the line or reducing taxes, and warned lawmakers he “cannot budge” on that number.
CLAIMS BILLS:
Taking a cue from Scott’s 2010 campaign, the Senate got right to work, passing a pair of claims bills that have caught the attention of Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
Hours after the session started Tuesday, the chamber approved (SB 4), which calls for Eric Brody to receive $15.575 million as compensation for debilitating injuries he suffered in a 1998 car crash with a Broward County sheriff’s deputy. It then passed the other bill (SB 2) to provide $1.35 million to William Dillon, who spent 27 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of a murder in Brevard County.
“Today’s simply about justice,” Haridopolos said in presenting the Dillon bill, which passed 39-1.
PIP MY RIDE:
With Scott calling for swift action, both chambers released proposals this week backers say are needed to curb costs that have crippled the state’s no-fault system set up 40 years ago to pay medical costs up to $10,000 for victims of automobile accidents.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in April estimates that the number of personal injury protection claims grew by 28 percent between 2006 and 2010 despite no significant increase in the number of drivers on the road. Between 2008 and 2010, estimated claims payments jumped 70 percent to $2.37 billion.
The Senate plan, SB 1860, places tighter restrictions on clinics and makes sure hospitals get paid first. Unlike the House plan, HB 119, the Senate version does not place caps on attorney fees.
The House version, which passed the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee on a 10-5 vote Wednesday, caps overall legal fees and prevents plaintiffs’ attorneys from using multipliers to boost their fees. The House plan also funnels accident victims to hospital emergency rooms or satellite urgent care facilities associated with ERs in an effort to curb costs.
DESTINATION UNKNOWN
Debate over expanding gambling in Florida continued as neither side of the controversial issue was ready to fold. A Senate proposal to allow three mega-resort gambling venues in Florida was amended to allow for expanded gaming in more pari-mutuels around the state. The measure, SB 710, also backed away from earlier promises to shut down Internet cafes.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the bill in a 7-3 vote to allow developments of at least $2 billion to spring up in Florida. Supporters face long odds getting it through the full Senate and House.
The House Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, meanwhile, held a workshop later in the week, on its proposal, but committee chairman Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota said he has not made up his mind about whether he would support the House bill, HB 487, a more limited proposal that would also allow up to three destination resort casinos.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an advisory opinion rejecting proposals for slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities outside Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The opinion came less than three weeks before Gadsden and Washington counties are scheduled to hold referenda about whether to allow slot machines.
ECONOMIC FORECAST
As lawmakers eye gambling as a way to produce revenue several years from now, state economists left their revenue estimate for the next year and a half all but unchanged, prompting renewed calls from the House for lawmakers to finish their budget on time despite the Senate leaders’ hesitance to move too quickly.
The new estimate issued Thursday changes the overall projection by $26.1 million — about 1 percent of the projected $2 billion budget shortfall and an increase of 0.05 percent in projected revenue. It includes an increase of $46 million in the estimate for the current year and a drop of $19.9 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“You don’t hardly get any closer to the current estimate than that,” said Amy Baker, coordinator of the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.
Earlier in the week Haridopolos said lawmakers should consider postponing budget action until after revenue data from December and January was available. The idea gained momentum as the week progressed.
By Friday, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said a majority of members were in favor of taking a break on budget items until another round of revenue estimates is calculated, if that’s the approach the Senate president wants to follow.
So far, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has said he is confident the session will end in 60 days.
PRISONS
Scott’s push to get the state out of the prison business took a step forward this week as his prison chief announced plans to close seven prisons and four work camps as part of a consolidation plan that’s possible because of declining numbers of prisoners.
The largest facility slated to close is New River Correctional Institute in Raiford, a part of the so-called Iron Triangle of prison facilities that surround Florida State Prison in northeast Florida.
Later in the week, bills to privatize prisons, work camps and other facilities in South Florida were introduced. The fast tracked measures are scheduled to be taken up next week by the Senate Rules Committee, a sure sign the push to get the state out of the corrections business remains in play.
BROWNING, WALLACE TO STEP DOWN.
Two veteran administrators announced this week they would step down. Two-time Secretary of State Kurt Browning said Wednesday he would step away from the position again. Browning, first hired by former Gov. Charlie Crist in 2006 and then brought back by Scott in 2010, said he will return to Pasco County and would at least consider taking a run at school superintendent. Browning will remain in office until Feb. 17, allowing him to oversee the Jan. 31 presidential primary.
Another veteran to hit the road is Scott Wallace, who will step down this spring as CEO of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. the state-backed company that is now the largest property insurer in the state. Wallace, who has spent six years at Citizens’ helm, gave no reason for his decision to quit effective April 6.
STORY OF THE WEEK: With an election looming and an expected $2 billion budget hole facing it, the Legislature convened this week for a 60-day(?) session that will include redrawing all the political boundaries.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “My fellow Floridians, I’m here today to tell you that promise and opportunity will return; in fact ARE returning even as we meet here today. While we have many miles to go, and some of them will be painful, our higher journey is already under way. This year and today we see the rebirth of an even greater Florida.” Rick Scott, during his state of the state speech.
By The News Service of Florida
Davis Highway Reopens
January 13, 2012
Davis Highway in Pensacola has reopened after being closed for several hours this morning due to a power outage.
Davis Highway was closed from about 3:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. between Creighton Road and Bloodworth Lane due to downed power lines. That’s near the old University Mall, just south of I-10.
About 120 Gulf Power customers were impacted by the outage.
Freezing Tonight
January 13, 2012
Here is your chilly North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 22. Calm wind.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 29. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Florida Supreme Court Rules Against West Florida Hospital
January 13, 2012
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday rejected arguments by an Escambia County hospital in a legal battle about turning over documents to an injured woman’s attorneys.
The dispute stems from a 2004 constitutional amendment that called for hospitals to disclose a wide range of internal documents in medical-negligence cases. But West Florida Regional Medical Center argued it should not have to release certain documents to attorneys for Lynda See, who suffered liver damage after going to the hospital to have a gallbladder removed in 2003.
In part, the hospital contended that a federal law, known as the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, trumped the state constitutional amendment and barred the release of documents involved in internal hospital peer-review processes.
But in an opinion written by Justice R. Fred Lewis, the Supreme Court flatly rejected the argument, saying the federal law “clearly does not provide for confidentiality for peer-review documents.’.
By The News Service of Florida
Hughie Jernigan
January 13, 2012
Mr. Hughie Jernigan, 85, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at a Santa Rosa County hospital.
Mr. Jernigan was a native of Jay, a former resident of McDavid, and a resident of Century for the past 61 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie Ruth McCawley Jernigan; a daughter, Judy Dianne Bondurant; and a grandson, Steven Wayne Mize.
He is survived by his daughter, Joan and Gary Mize of Flomaton: a son-in-law, Don Bondurant of Flomaton; two grandchildren, Cynthia Mize Fiala of Foley, and Jeffery Bondurant of San Diego; and two great-grandchildren, Cole Bondurant and Tristan Bondurant.
Funeral services will be Sunday, January 15, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore with the Rev. Rich Gartman officiating..
Burial will follow at the Wadkins-Mize Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 15, 2012, 1 p.m. until ffuneral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
Pallbearers will be Eric Crews, Lee Jernigan, Randy Bondurant, Jake Bondurant, Bill Campbell and Jack McGraw.
Honorary pallbearers will be Frecky Crews and Billy Byrd.
Florida DOC To Close Seven Prisons, Four Work Camps
January 13, 2012
The Florida Department of Corrections announced Thursday that it will be closing seven prisons and four work/forestry camps by July 1. None of the facilities are in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
The DOC said the closures are part of a statewide consolidation plan and were due to declining prison admissions and excess bed space. No inmates will be released as a result of the decision.
The prisons being closed are Broward Correctional Institution (CI) in Ft. Lauderdale, Demilly CI in Polk City, Gainesville CI in Alachua County, Hillsborough CI in Riverview near Tampa, Indian River CI in Vero Beach, Jefferson CI in Monticello and New River CI (both units) in Raiford. In addition, River Junction Work Camp in Chattahoochee, Caryville Work Camp near Northwest Florida Reception Center in Washington County, Hendry Work Camp in Immokalee, and Levy Forestry Camp near Lowell CI in Ocala.
“Declining prison admissions has led to a surplus of prison beds, allowing us to pare down our budget shortfall by consolidating and closing our older, less efficient facilities. We are committed to placing as many affected staff as possible in vacant positions for which they are qualified,” said Secretary Ken Tucker.
Inmates will be relocated to institutions with vacancies that meet their custody, profile, health, education and risk assessment needs.
Pictured: A guard tower at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Park, Jim Allen Students Dream Up One Of A Kind Inventions
January 13, 2012
Flying cars, traffic evaders, automatic bed makers and more were on display Thursday at Molino Park and Jim Allen elementary schools. Some of the brightest students at both schools presented their one of a kind inventions during an Invention Convention held at each school.
Students in each school’s Gifted Enrichment Classes displayed their projects they completed as part of their 15 week study of inventions and inventors. Each project included a prototype of the invention, information on how it works or how it would be used and the estimated cost.
“There were some really creative ideas,” Molino Park Elementary Principal Alice Woodward said. “They worked really hard.”
For a photo gallery of the Molino Park Gifted Enrichment Class inventions, click here.
Some of the items presented included:
- Tired of traffic on your morning commute? The Traffic Evader by Bryce Korinachk has the ability to fly over traffic using an air propulsion system. Simply refill the air cylinder with any air compressor and you are environmentally friendly when flying over traffic. The Traffic Evader’s sticker price is $75,000 to $80,000.
- The Splashula, at just $9.95 is a bargain for the grill or kitchen. Simply fill the spray bottle attached to your spatula with oil spray, and you’ll be a lean, mean pancake cooking machine — just spray the pan and flip the pancakes. Or, for the grill, load the squirt bottle with water. Flip the burgers and douse the flames in one easy step.
- The “Bathroom Reading Buddy” holds your books, magazines or perhaps even your iPad while in the bathroom for just $24.99. “It attaches to the side of the cabinet and extends out to hold your reading material,” according to inventor Connor Crisco. “When you are finished, just push it back up against the cabinet and it’s out of the way.” $24.99, magazines not included.
- The Auto Bed Maker is sure to please both moms and kids. “This device makes your bed faster than a strike of lightning,” according to inventor Clayton Smith. And, if you act now, it’s half price at just $40.
- The Flying Car (pictured) is a reality in another inventor’s project, but it’s going to hurt the bank account just a bit with a $100,000,00.90 sticker price. It’s easy to use, press the red button to fly; press it again to stop flying. But don’t forget where you parked it — the prototype model is camouflage.
- Girl Guardian is a GPS tracking device disguised as an attractive girl’s bracelet. It’s not recognized as a GPS device, so the bad guy’s won’t touch it. It can be constantly monitored for easy tracking, and includes a panic button for emergencies. And it’s good for the environment — it uses GPS chips from discarded cell phones.
- The 911 AED takes the automated external defibrillator a step further — open the lid and it automatically places a cellular 911 call with GPS coordinates for the dispatcher.
- Passing the sunflower seeds around the dugout at the neighborhood little league games is easier than ever with the Sandlot Seed Server. Simply place a cup under the server then “Open the Core and Let’em Pour” for only $49.99.
- Watered down soft drinks are a thing of the past with the Flavor Ice from Micah Calhoun. For just $50.69 it provides ice made out of the same drink that you are dispensing. “When this ice melts, it only makes your soda taste even better,” Calhoun said.
- The Sponge Shoe is just $9.99. It’s a shoe, it ’s a sponge — no it’s a sponge on shoe. Walk around, and all those little messes are cleaned right up. “It also saves my mom time because she does not have to mop the floor if it’s small mess that I can clean,” inventor Brayden Mickel said.
- The Bristle Bullet is an “easy, fun, cool way to clean your gun”, in Jenna’s project. A brush, like that used to clean baby bottles, is mounted on the tip of a bullet. Simply fire the bullet at your target and your gun is cleaned at the same time. A dozen would sell for $36.99.
- The Glow In The Dark Cork is perfect for night fishing. The glow in the dark paint glows like the moon. No more worrying about battery operated corks that fail when they crack.
- The $45 Dog Collar 3000 hold dog treats on Fido’s collar — no more running back inside for treats on those long winter walks.
- No more ropes with the sure to be American made Flag Raiser by Dalton Brown. For just $19.99, easy electronic controls automatically raise the flag.
- Travel Trays are manufactured of industrial grade stainless steel and collapse for easy storage. From an iPod to a Nintendo DS to McDonald’s fries or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s — the Travel Trays hold most everything with no spill.
- Ever had a fight in the kitchen with the roll of plastic wrap? Fight no more with the Wrap Trap at the introductory price of $7.50. It’s all about the control — the Wrap Trap holds the box of Saran or other wrap nice and steady on the counter while the included blade makes the cut.
Pictured top: The Bathroom Reading Buddy. Pictured inset: The Flying Car for just $100,000,00.90. Pictured below: A portion of the Flavor Ice machine. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
James Curtis Booth
January 13, 2012
Mr. James Curtis Booth, 80, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2012, in Leesburg, FL.
Mr. Booth was a native of Stanley Crossroads, a longtime former resident of Plainfield, IL and a resident of Leesburg for the past 16 years. He held many offices of the United Auto Workers, was a member of the union for many years at the Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac Plant in Chicago a U.S. Army Veteran of the 11th Airborne Division and attended the St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Leesburg.
He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Booth in 2002, and a grandson, Stephen Michael Booth.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Bridges Booth of Leesburg, FL; two sons, James Booth and Stephen Booth, both of Leesburg; three daughters, Roseanne Gomer of Naperville, IL, Lisa Smith of Orlando and Dawn Baumgartner of Coral Springs, FL; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Clifton Booth of Olive Branch, MS; a sister, Mattie Ruth Bailey of Canoe, AL.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the St. Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church with Father Gordon Milsted officiating..
Burial will follow at the Magnolia Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, January 13, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home
Bill Would Block Drug Felons From Getting Cash Assistance
January 13, 2012
The House Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee Wednesday morning voted 9-6 in favor of a bill that would require the Department of Children and Families to deny cash assistance benefits and food assistance benefits to anyone who has been convicted of a felony for the possession of drugs on or after July 1, 2012.
The bill has an exception for people who have gone through a drug treatment program, and would allow the appointment of someone else to receive benefits on behalf of the person’s children.
The measure is sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Smith, R-Inverness, who last year sponsored a measure requiring drug tests for those seeking cash assistance.
That bill passed but has been challenged in court.
By The News Service of Florida
Carolyn Joy Floyd Poley
January 13, 2012
With her family by her side, Carolyn Joy Floyd Poley passed away on January 8, 2012, after a lengthy battle with liver cancer. Carolyn was born in Corpus Christi, TX, on May 1, 1957, to Clyde and Edith Floyd. Carolyn lived the majority of her child and adult life in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Carolyn is survived by her husband of 20 years, Clifton Scott Poley and her five children: daughter, Karri Anne Yonker and fiancé, Chad Adkins; son, Stephen Lee Yonker; daughter, Shelly Marie Yonker Campbell and Justin Cuyler; son, Justin Ryan Poley; and son, Brandon Scott Poley. She also leaves grandchildren, Kristen Nicole Bigner, Kelsey Lee-Anne Bigner, and Levi Ryan Yonker.
Carolyn is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Marilyn Bernard, Jean Hopkins & Ducky, Bobby Holland and Diane, James Holland and Gloria, and Cressie Tucker and Bill.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Whiddon Floyd and her father, Clyde Duvall Floyd.
Viewing will be held on Friday, January 13th, from 5-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North at 1000 Highway 29, Cantonment. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14 at 11 a.m. at Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church at 3218 Molino Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to any of the following: Northwest Florida Blood Services (blood donations or monetary), The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, or The American Cancer Society.