Jeff Miller: Solution Needed To Rising Gas Prices
February 27, 2012
In his latest newsletter, U.S. Rep Jeff Miller discusses rising gas prices.
The following was submitted by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla for NorthEscambia.com:
With gas prices slowly creeping upwards toward $4 a gallon, one would think the President of the United States and Congressional Democrats would finally get serious about working across the aisle on solutions to ease the pain at the pump. At the very least they could put forward a few ideas that would provide consumers already hard hit by a weak economy some relief in their weekly gas bill. However, this week we saw instead an incredible demonstration of the blame game by the Administration. The key message of the President was not about working together to find an answer, but a clear statement of “it’s not my fault.”
The blame was extended to anyone but the Administration – rising gas prices are caused by increased demand from China. Or maybe it’s the recent tensions with Iran. Or it could be decreased foreign supply. Or the Administration’s consistent election-year boogeyman: the Wall Street speculators. Better yet, gas prices are higher because of oil companies. Of course, these things are outside of the control of the U.S. government, so the Administration can’t do anything about it.
President Obama offered little in the way of solutions, instead telling the American people that he wouldn’t make “phony election-year promises about lower gas prices.” The American people don’t want phony promises, but they also don’t want inaction while gas prices go up. I am astonished that in a speech about lowering gas prices, the President also called for higher taxes on the oil industry and more money for unproven clean energy. Let me clear, clean energy technologies will play a role in a long-term solution, but will do nothing to solve the problem this year.
When the rhetoric over gas prices heats up, it is helpful to take a look at some of the facts about gas prices and American energy production. The Administration claims it is opening up more than 75 percent of our offshore oil and gas resources. Yet, that is just the status quo and includes only the areas we have already explored. Eighty-five percent of all American offshore areas remain off-limits. This Administration also placed a moratorium on new drilling and has barely begun to approve any new leases. One example of backwards policymaking is in the Chukchi Sea in Alaska. The energy industry has spent $2.6 billion to obtain close to 500 leases; yet, to date the Administration has not allowed a single well to be drilled on any of these leases. Rhetoric does not drill wells and does not create jobs. Action does. There is no doubt that in light of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill almost two years ago, new safety and inspection measures must be put in place; but, new energy exploration cannot and should not be halted altogether.
The Executive Branch is also quick to blame “tax breaks” for energy companies, specifically oil and natural gas companies. The fact is, however, the oil and gas industry does not receive a single targeted tax credit from the IRS. It takes deductions on the cost of doing business, just like other companies. The Administration’s call for an $85 billion tax hike on a particular sector of our economy is not going to lower gas prices. It will make them higher. Giving millions in loan guarantees to companies like Solyndra while increasing taxes on proven energy resources is not going to solve the energy crisis. To call out the oil and gas industry over others is yet another illustration of the government picking winners and losers in the marketplace, something it does not need to be in the business of doing. In fact, the government should not be “in business” at all.
I agree with the President on one thing he said this week, namely that “[t]here is no silver bullet, there never has been.” Nonetheless, I completely disagree with his assertion that there is little we can do about it. The President and Senate should join us in putting forward a viable “All of the Above” energy strategy that will expand domestic sources of production, invest in clean energy technologies, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help keep gas prices low for Americans. The United States can be a leader in innovation and clean energy without limiting our current sources of energy. I hope my colleagues will join in pushing for solutions to increasing gas prices that could have a debilitating effect on our fragile economy.
Ernest Ward Boys, Girls Swim Teams Take Second In County
February 27, 2012
Both the boys and girls Ernest Ward Middle swim teams finished second in Escambia County for the season. Pictured: The EWMS boys and girls swim teams at a recent county meet. Submitted photo by Stephanie Sims for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Indicted For New Year’s Day Abortion Clinic Bombing
February 27, 2012
A man accused of firebombing an abortion clinic in Escambia County has been indicted.
The two-count indictment charges Bobby Joe Rogers, 41, with arson and damaging a reproductive health facility in connection with the fire that destroyed the American Family Planning Clinic on January 1. Rogers has remained in federal custody since his arrest on January 5.
If convicted, Rogers faces 5 to 20 years in prison for the arson count and up to one year in prison for damaging a reproductive health clinic.
Registration Ending For DCT Coed Softball Tournament
February 27, 2012
The Northview High School DCT will sponsor a coed softball tournament Saturday, and today is the last day to register.
The DCT Coed Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 8 a.m. on March 3 at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Late registrations will be accepted through today for $150 per team. Registration fees can be paid at Northview from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., ask for Raylin.
Team members must be 14-years of age or older, and there must be three females on the field at all times. There is a 10 team limit.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681 or (251) 294-1947.
The concession stand will be open the day of the event. No coolers please.
Escambia School Cafeterias Named Protectors Of The Environment
February 27, 2012
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has presented the “Protector of the Environment” (POE) Award to the Escambia County School Board’s cafeteria operations. This one of-a-kind initiative recognized the school system’s effort to promote a positive safe working and clean eating environment through the ECUA’s Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) and backflow prevention programs.
“The District is honored to receive the Protector of the Environment award. The recognition clearly illustrates the collective team effort of many departments within the District that are actively engaged in conscientious environmentally appropriate approaches to doing business. We’re proud to be a part of Escambia County’s earth friendly team,” said Assistant Superintendent of Operations Shawn Dennis.
The Protector of the Environment Award recognizes organizations that train their employees on “best management practices,” participate in scheduled 90-day cleanliness inspections, have no FOG or Backflow violations, and no warnings within a one-year period.
Pictured top: Tim Haag, Glenna Taylor, Chuck Peterson, Kenny Lyons, Gabriel Brown amd Mr. Elvin McCorvey. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Director Of Low Income Energy Assistance Program Indicted
February 27, 2012
The former director of a program that helped low income families pay their utility bills has been indicted on federal charges.
Sandra L. Johnson, 43, of Pensacola, made her initial appearance in federal court Thursday on charges relating to a conspiracy to commit fraud. The federal indictment alleges that Johnson, the former director of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was involved in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud based upon actions she took in relation to her official duties.
LIHEAP is a program funded by the Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (CAPC). CAPC receives federal funds to aid those in the community with job training, education, health care, energy assistance, and more. In particular, LIHEAP guarantees payment of power bills to the Gulf Power Company for those who are eligible for the federal benefits due to low income.
During the course of the charged conspiracy, as outlined in the indictment, Johnson altered documents and signatures in order to get coverage for some questionable LIHEAP recipients, as well as for herself.
United States Magistrate Judge Charles J. Kahn, Jr., held the arraignment for Johnson Thursday, at which time she entered a plea of not guilty. A trial date of April 2, 2012, has been set before Senior United States District Judge Lacey A. Collier. If convicted, Johnson faces up to 30 years in prison. H
The indictment resulted from an investigation by the FBI and security personnel of the Gulf Power Company.
Fla. House Votes To Pay Innocent Man $1.35 Million For Time In Prison
February 27, 2012
More than 30 years after going to a prison for a murder he did not commit, William Dillon sat in the Florida House gallery and got what he wanted – a form of apology.
“That’s the closure for me — that they’re admitting something wrong did happen,” Dillon said.
The House voted 107-5 to approve a claims bill that will pay $1.35 million to Dillon, or $50,000 for each of the 27 years he spent in prison after being wrongfully convicted in the 1981 killing of James Dvorak in Brevard County.
For procedural reasons, the bill will have to go to the Senate for a final vote. But with Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, making a priority of the issue, the House vote makes it appear virtually certain that Dillon will get compensated.
The proposal drew impassioned debate about Dillon and bigger-picture questions about the fairness of the Legislature’s claims-bill process. Despite those questions, Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said Dillon’s time in prison was an injustice that needed to be addressed.
“There’s no price-tag you can put on that,” Weatherford said. “There’s no dollar amount that will give this man his 27 years back.”
But Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne, listed details of Dillon’s background, including a drunken-driving conviction and an Army discharge because of possession of stolen property, and questioned whether the state should pay the man more than $1 million.
Along with Tobia, the other bill opponents were Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach; Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton; and Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven.
Haridopolos tried to pass a claims bill last year for Dillon, but the issue died during a chaotic end to the legislative session. Veteran lobbyist Guy Spearman and former House member and Florida State University President Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte worked for free to help move the bill through the Legislature.
Dillon, now 52 and living in North Carolina, was freed from prison in 2008 after the Innocence Project of Florida got involved in his case. DNA testing on evidence led to his exoneration.
“It’s been a long journey,” he told reporters a few minutes after the vote.
Lawmakers on both sides of the Dillon issue expressed frustration Friday with the process that leads them to decide such issues. Earlier in the day, the House Judiciary Committee considered 16 claims bills that would compensate people for a wide range of injuries caused by employees of government agencies.
“We are not here to be judge and jury,” Wood said. “We are policymakers.”
But Rep. Steve Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican who sponsored the Dillon bill, said the case involved clear evidence that Dillon had been wrongfully imprisoned.
“This man is sitting here today, and we’re going to give him an opportunity to live the rest of his life like (the opportunity) he should have had from 1981 on,” Crisafulli said.
By The News Service of Florida
Oranges In Escambia County?
February 26, 2012
The few orange trees located in Escambia County are currently full of fruit. Pictured is a tree in front of the Pfeiffer House on Zaragoza Street in the Historic Pensacola Village, directly behind the old Christ Church.
It is a Seville orange, native to Spain with trees planted in several downtown Pensacola locations. Seville oranges are known for being sour and bitter and are often made into a sweet and tart marmalade.
The Pfieiffer House, home to the orange tree, is an example of a simple folk cottage, or shotgun house. It was built in 1876 by Bavarian immigrant John Pfeiffer, who established a successful baking business and also sold children’s toys. Originally located on Government Street, the Pfeiffer House was moved to Zaragoza Street in 1997 and serves as additional space for Old Christ Church functions.
Pictured: Oranges growing in downtown Pensacola as seen Saturday afternoon behind the Old Christ Church on Zaraboza Street. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Rising And It’s Not Over Yet
February 26, 2012
Gas prices continue to increase across the Gulf Coast, up 20 cents in the past month.
The average price Saturday for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.63, up from $3.43 just a month ago. One year ago, that gallon of gas was $3.25. Industry analysts are expecting prices to rise about a dime during the coming week thanks to tensions in the Middle East.
The area record was $4.03 in July 2008, leading many motorists to change their driving to save money.
With gas prices hitting an all time February high and the current national retail average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline hanging at $3.65, many drivers are anxious about what to expect in the coming months.
“Every driver is impacted by the increased cost of fuel,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA National vice president. “There are several easy things drivers can do to stretch each tank of gas and find the lowest fuel prices when it is time to fill up.”
The cheapest gas price in the Pensacola area Saturday was $3.53 at a handful of stations on Mobile Highway. Across the state line in Alabama, a Flomaton Shell station was at $3.51.
Pictured top: A gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.61 Saturday night at this station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Maybe Monday Rain
February 26, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 67. East wind around 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high near 69.