Scott Signs Teacher Evaluation, Sick Leave Bills
June 18, 2013
A requirement that classroom teachers only get evaluated based on the students they teach and a controversial measure that blocks local governments from requiring employers to offer paid sick leave to workers were signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.
Also signed were new benchmarks for building nuclear power plants and an effort aimed at reducing sex trafficking by cutting late-night hours at massage parlors.
After Scott departed for an economic development mission to Paris on Friday, the Governor’s office announced he had signed 60 bills and vetoed two others.
The signing of the anti-mandatory sick leave bill (HB 655) quickly drew the most reaction, with applause from statewide business interests and condemnation from those behind an Orange County ballot initiative that would have required paid sick time.
“This law ensures mandatory leave is decided at the state level and preempts union-backed efforts to have local and county governments adopt policies governing terms of employment and other wage related issues,” Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson said in a news release.
Associated Industries of Florida said the law maintains a single, statewide standard for employment benefits that keeps Florida globally competitive.
“Not only would it destroy economic growth and job creation in their own jurisdiction, it would also have a devastating chilling effect on companies considering expansion in any location in Florida for fear other jurisdictions will follow suit,” AIF President and CEO Tom Feeney said in a release.
But Stephanie Porta, a leader in the Earned Sick Time ballot initiative in Orange County, vowed the fight will continue.
“Today, Gov. Scott sided with corporations like Disney and Darden over Florida families,” Porta said.
She said the law goes against home rule, noting that more than 50,000 people signed petitions to put the issue on the August 2014 ballot.
“We look forward to working with the task force established in this legislation to recommend a statewide earned sick-time policy to the Legislature,” Porta continued. “We will also explore legal remedies to ensure voters in Orange County aren’t denied their right to vote on Earned Sick Time.”
The law creates an Employer-Sponsored Benefits Study Task Force, which is directed to analyze employment benefits.
The teacher-evaluation measure was in part a reaction to criticism, including a lawsuit, about the state’s two-year-old system of assessing teacher performance. Critics said teachers were being held accountable in the system for students they never taught.
The new law (SB 1664) requires that at least 50 percent of a classroom teacher’s or school administrator’s performance evaluation be based on the growth or achievement of the students under their charge. The other half would be based on district-determined plans.
Teachers with less than three years experience would only be judged on 40 percent of their students’ performance.
The Florida Education Association, which has spearheaded a lawsuit against the teacher-evaluation system passed in 2011, will continue to contest it in court. It called the new law a “partial fix.”
“While we’re happy this measure passed the Legislature, there is much work to be done to fix the mess created by SB 736 (the 2011 law),” FEA President Andy Ford said in a release.
The FEA continues to question how teachers will be measured if their students do not take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and is concerned that not all teachers will be evaluated based on the subjects they teach.
Among the other bills signed Friday:
— Low-speed vehicles, (SB 62), allows street-legal, “low-speed vehicles” to be reclassified as golf carts, a move to reduce registration and insurance costs.
— Intellectual disabilities (SB 142), eliminates the term “mental retardation” from various parts of state law and replaces it with “intellectual disability.” The old term is considered offensive and outdated by advocates for people with disabilities.
— Online insurance (HB 223), allows property and casualty insurance policies and endorsements to be available on an insurer’s Internet website rather than being mailed, if agreed to by the customer.
— Aquariums, (SB 336), allows tourist development tax dollars to be used for the benefit of certain not-for-profit run museums or aquariums.
— Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission (SB 606), creates a regional transportation commission for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.
— Reusable wine (HB 623), allows the sale of wine in 5.16 gallon canisters, which can be tapped like kegs, allowing easier sales of wine by the glass in restaurants and bars.
— Foster care (SB 1036), allows young adults the option of staying in foster care until age 21.
— Underground natural gas (HB 1083), sets up a permitting process for natural gas to be injected underground and stored until it is needed. Storage projects could be located in areas of southwest Florida and northwest Florida that have produced oil in the past.
— Nuclear construction fees (SB 1472), establishes new benchmarks for electric utilities that want to collect controversial fees while planning nuclear-power plants. The measure alters a 2006 law intended to encourage more nuclear power. Florida Power & Light and the former Progress Energy Florida – now Duke Energy – have used the law to collect hundreds of millions of dollars in pre-construction nuclear fees.
— Late night massages (HB 7005), prohibits the operation of massage establishments between midnight and 5 a.m., although it has exceptions for businesses such as health facilities and hotels that might offer massage services. The intent is to crack down on shady massage establishments that are fronts for sex trafficking.
Of the bills Scott vetoed, one (HB 249) would have created a public records exemption for email addresses obtained as part of voter registration applications and the other (HB 265) would have increased the annual fee on the wildflower license plate from $10 to $25.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
BayBears Cruise To 11-1 In First Half Finale
June 18, 2013
The Mobile BayBears scored 11 unanswered runs and left no doubt as they wrapped up a first half division championship with an 11-1 clobbering of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday night. The win secured Mobile’s third consecutive trip to the postseason.
Trailing by one heading to the fifth, Garret Weber blasted a leadoff solo homer against Pensacola starter Josh Smith to even the score. An inning later, the BayBears loaded the bases with two outs against Smith when Nick Ahmed unloaded them with a three-run double off the wall to give Mobile a 4-1 advantage.
Even with the first half championship in hand with Mississippi’s loss to Tennessee, the BayBears kept the pressure on. In the seventh, Justin Greene drove home a run with a single, Keon Broxton brought home two with a triple and Weber added another RBI with a two-out double to give Mobile an 8-1 lead.
In the eighth, Mobile continued their offensive surge with a two-run single from Raywilly Gomez and another run scored on a wild pitch to provide the final 11-1 margin.
Meanwhile, Mobile starter David Holmberg dominated Pensacola while tossing a one-hitter. The lone hit he gave up was a solo home run to Travis Mattair in the second inning that gave the Wahoos a 1-0 advantage. The homer was Mattair’s team-leading seventh of the year and extend his hitting streak to six games and his on-base streak to 20 straight contests.
Holmberg’s complete game one-hitter featured a season-high tying eight strikeouts as he picked up his fourth win of the year.
Smith took the loss for Pensacola to fall to 5-6 as he gave up four runs (all earned) on seven hits in six innings. The bullpen was responsible for seven runs over the final three innings.
Pensacola now resets its record to 0-0 and starts the second half on the road on Wednesday in Montgomery. Tim Crabbe (2-6, 3.52) is scheduled to start for the Wahoos against the Biscuits’ Jake Thompson (6-6, 5.02). First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke
No Injuries In Early Morning Molino Wreck
June 18, 2013
There were no injuries in an early morning accident on Highway 97 near Hendricks Lane north of Dogwood Park. The driver of a Toyota Solara lost control and struck a utility pole with the rear of her vehicle about 3:30 a.m.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details were not released. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Robinson: No Property Tax Increase, No Privatization Of Escambia County Jail
June 17, 2013
Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson has responded to a letter from Sheriff David Morgan that transfers control the county jail back to the county on September 1.
Robinson said, in a written letter, that he is willing to look at options except for a property tax increase to find a way to fund the understaffed jail that was the target of a Department of Justice investigation. The jail needs funding for new detention officers to comply with the DOJ findings, and, so far, there’s been no where near a consensus among commissioners as how to fund the improvements.
“I am willing to work with you and your office in any way that we can to do some temporary additions and improvements to support the jail and its administration,” Robinson wrote. “Whether that option is to look at reserve funds for additional corrections officers or suspension of raises for county employees I am very open and willing to cooperate with you.”
He goes on to say he is adamant in his position not to raise ad valorem taxes that impact both citizens and businesses recovering from “the most recent economic recession”.
Robinson said that jail privatization is not an option that he would consider at this time based upon the unsuccessful implementation of privatization in other Florida counties.
The commissioner also wrote to the sheriff that “if you believe the management of the Escambia County jail is beyond you capacity, I am willing to relieve you of your responsibility as agent”. He points out that Marion County in Florida is about to take control of their jail “to protect their vision for their county in its entirety.”
Hot, Humid, Possible Showers
June 17, 2013
Hot and humid weather will continue this week, with a chance of daily showers and thunderstorms — your typical summertime pattern.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Applications Open For Southern Pine Beetle Assistance And Prevention Program
June 17, 2013
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program will accept applications from non-industrial, private forest landowners from June 14 through July 31.
The southern pine beetle is one of the most destructive forest pests in the southeast, and periodic outbreaks can rapidly kill millions of pine trees on tens of thousands of acres. The last major outbreaks in Florida occurred from 1999 to 2002, resulting in an estimated $59 million in timber losses.
“This program promotes forest management activities that increase the natural resistance of pine forests to southern pine beetle infestations,” said Jim Karels, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Conducting these activities now will reduce the likelihood of losses from future outbreaks.”
The program, supported through a grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, offers an incentive payment for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning and partial cost reimbursement for prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments and planting longleaf or slash pine. Since it was first offered in 2005, the program has supported these practices on more than 120,000 acres.
The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties located within the range of the southern pine beetle, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Qualified landowners may apply for no more than two approved practices per year. Funding requests may not exceed $10,000. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
To obtain application forms and more information on program requirements and procedures, visit a local Florida Forest Service office or click here.
One Injured In Molino Rollover
June 17, 2013
One person was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday night in Molino.
The driver lost control and overturned into a wooded area alongside northbound Highway 29 between Barrineau Park Road and Duxbury Avenue. The 56-year old male was transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance following crash about 10:30 p.m.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Escambia County EMS and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Special Needs Playground Equipment Installed
June 17, 2013
Installation of new playground equipment targeted for children with special needs is almost complete at the Molino Community Complex and Park on Highway 95A.
The new equipment, which is in addition to the playground equipment installed last January, will be open as soon as surface and dirt work is complete. The equipment is designed specifically for children of all ages with special needs and is designed to stimulate motor and sensory skills while providing enjoyment.
Six other Escambia County playgrounds will receive special needs playground equipment by the end of the summer:
- Beulah Regional Park, 7820 Mobile Highway
- Old Ensley School Park, 107 East Detroit Boulevard
- Lexington Terrace, 700 S. Old Corry Field Road
- Regency Park, 8245 Fathom Road
- Southwest Sports Complex, 2020 Bauer Road
- Wedgewood Park, 6405 Wagner Road
The project is funded by LOST – Local Option Sales Tax – funds.
The Molino Community Complex and Park is located at 6450 Highway 95A in Molino, directly behind the Molino Branch Library.
Pictured: Installation of new special needs playground equipment is almost complete at the Molino Community Complex and Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Governors Showcase Florida, Alabama, Mississippi At Paris Airshow
June 17, 2013
The Paris Air Show kicks off today, with governors from Florida, Alabama and Mississippi on hand hoping to land economic prospects.
On Sunday, Florida Governor Rick Scott met with Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley at the Aerospace Alliance meeting in Paris.
The weeklong mission of the Florida delegation, the ninth international trade delegation fronted by Scott, is expected to focus on Florida’s aviation and aerospace industries, with time set aside for meetings in Paris with unspecified, but non-aviation related French investors.
In 2011, the biannual air show drew more than 350,000 attendees, including 151,500 trade visitors, with delegations from 82 countries.
Last year Scott and Enterprise Florida went to the Farnborough International Airshow in southeast England, with the intent to highlight the nearly 2,000 aviation and aerospace companies in Florida that employ an estimated 87,000 people.
Scott has said the missions are about long-term relationship-building between companies and the individuals on the trip.
Pictured: (L-R) Florida Governor Rick Scott, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley at the Aerospace Alliance meeting in Paris on Sunday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Delays Vote On Importing Out Of State Deer
June 17, 2013
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has deferred action until September on a rule prohibiting the importation of live captive deer into Florida from out of state sources.
Meeting in Lakeland, Commissioners said they wanted more time to hear from staff and stakeholders about options designed to reduce the chances of chronic wasting disease (CWD) being introduced into the state.
CWD is not known to affect people but is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. It is similar to mad cow disease, always fatal, and there is no known cure or vaccine. So far, the disease has been discovered in 22 states, two Canadian provinces and in South Korea.
Since the beginning of May, the FWC has received much public comment and answered many questions and concerns through its website from deer enthusiasts and those who have deer farms and hunting preserves. The Commission used this public input when considering this proposal, which was deferred until fall.
For more information on the draft rule that was deferred, visit MyFWC.com/Deer.