Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: The Budget Of Milk And Honey

February 2, 2013

In the effort to think of someone who might try to replace the unpopular Gov. Rick Scott, one name has largely been overlooked:

Rick Scott.

The little-known, populist, former tea party politician emerged this week as a sweet-talking alternative to the Rick Scott who got elected in 2010 promising to be stingy and mean, to “Get to Work” at slashing the size of government.

Where Rick Scott-2010 rolled out his first budget by noting “there’s no sweeteners for special interests, or special people, or special companies,” Rick Scott-2012 this week put out a budget that tries to make several people feel special, from classroom teachers to state workers to environmentalists.

The new Scott, with no hint of shame at all, touted a gift bag of a proposed budget this week that tries to spread some happiness around, a sort-of ‘I told you so,’ about how a recovering economy can lift a lot of boats. The economy, the governor essentially said, has the state heading back toward the land of milk and honey, just in time for Scott to ask people to evaluate his first term and give him another.

There’s $2,500 raises for all classroom teachers; $1,200 bonuses for ordinary state workers, with bigger bonuses for the really good employees; there’s a big increase in per-student spending in K-12; new money for universities, along with a call for no tuition increases. And there continue to be the calls for tax breaks that are left over from old Rick Scott’s time.

Opponents of the governor kind of had their heads spun around a few times – he was actually calling for some things they’ve been pleading for, and forcing them to find some new talking points. After a couple years of being saddled with low approval ratings, the governor looked like he wanted people to like him.

And Democrats and others who have spent the last few years criticizing Scott found themselves admitting he was saying some things that voters just might like.

“It’s a taxpayer-financed down payment on courting votes for 2014,” said Sen. Chris Smith, of Fort Lauderdale, the leader of the Democrats in his chamber, to which Republicans essentially replied: ‘well, yeah.’

The state’s teachers union probably had to pull out a dictionary. Cutting and pasting the criticism they’ve leveled for years wasn’t an option – and they likely couldn’t find the last sentence they wrote in praise of a budget because it was presumably stored on an IBM 486 thrown out at the end of the Chiles administration.

“We are happy the governor is recognizing and investing in Florida’s high performing public schools,” Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said, seeming even in a written press release to struggle to get the words out. “…We look forward to the governor’s strong advocacy of this proposal.”

Before this week the only thing the teacher’s union was looking forward to was getting a new governor.

The union that represents many state workers will continue to advocate for an across-the-board pay raise, something government rank and file workers haven’t had in six years.

The spokesman for AFSCME also was using unfamiliar words, calling the governor’s bonus plan “generous” and a “significant financial commitment” and even saying the union appreciates it.

“I want to reward the most effective employees, no different than what I did when I was in business,” Scott said.

A few years ago, the state used to buy land to keep it out of development. There is a program called Florida Forever – but it didn’t look like it would go on for that long. When the recession hit, the state basically stopped buying conservation lands. But this week, Scott said let’s go back out there and pick up some more wilderness.

Scott proposed $75 million for the land buying program, after requesting just $15 million last year and using his veto pen to strike Florida Forever money two years ago. He also proposed new money for Everglades restoration and other environmental cleanup programs.

Scott also wants new dollars to reduce the waiting list for developmentally disabled people needing services, and overall, the proposed budget is bigger, in unadjusted dollar terms, than it has been in several years, coming in at over $74 billion – though Scott’s staff points out that when adjusted for population and inflation, it’s the third smallest in over a decade. Still, the other two smaller ones? Those were Scott’s first two budgets.

Bottom line, Scott says: the economy is coming back to life. And as he and other Republicans before him have said, when taxes are low and spending is careful, taxes come in more robustly and spending can be a little more carefree. The new money comes mostly from increased tax collections, Scott said.

“Florida’s economy is back on track and the nation is taking notice of our economic turnaround,” Scott said Thursday.

If one were watching the budget release with a political eye, one might say Scott is looking like another recent governor: Charlie Crist. That is, he’s found a popular issue – improving education and helping out teachers – and he’s going to go to bat for it. If that conveniently brings in some votes, well that’s OK. And if lawmakers can’t find a way to make it work – well, he’s not the one being the bad guy.

Crist, who is thinking about his own gubernatorial comeback effort, may have to pull out his planbook and cross “offer teachers a pay raise and throw money at schools” off his to-do campaign list as something that’s been taken away by the other guy.

BURNS AND ALLEN, ABBOT AND COSTELLO, WEATHERFORD AND GAETZ

While Scott this week unveiled his budget, the speaker of the House and the Senate president were sounding a note of harmony, appearing together – literally speaking at the same time – at a meeting of newspaper editors in an effort to show that their goals are the same.

One of the knocks on the Legislature going back many years is that it gets bogged down in the personal agendas of its leaders – and sometimes gets hung up when those agendas are at odds. Or the legislative calendar becomes fodder for horse-trading between the president and speaker so they can each get some of what they want for their legacy.

But Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz, both Republicans, said in their joint appearance this week that they have one agenda as a team.

“We have a solid framework of agreement on issues of key importance,” Gaetz said – a sentence that sounds more like something spoken in the last few hours of session. The two are on the same page on a number of issues, they said, from wanting to be cautious over the budget even with the new surplus, to interest in ethics reforms.

Adding to the bizarre tag-team approach of the two leaders, Gaetz, who is never at a loss for words – and lots of them – responded to one question, about use of tax dollars to help out professional sports enterprises, by following Weatherford’s answer simply with “what he said.”

Weatherford and Gaetz’ assurances of a harmonious couple of years between the two chambers came at an annual meeting of newspaper editors put on by The Associated Press. Also at that meeting was a panel discussion of what happened on Election Day to cause long lines and what the solution should be.

While consensus seems to have developed in the Legislature that more early voting days may be needed, and while some are pushing for shorter ballots, the panel discussion made it clear that there remain differences in opinion about what happened and why.

Particularly why. The most interesting discussion was over what the intent of lawmakers was when they reduced early voting and made it hard to change mailing addresses on Election Day. Democrats repeated their belief that it was part of a broad, national GOP effort to reduce minority voting. Republicans said that’s absurd.

They basically agreed to continue to disagree.

“I don’t personally believe Republicans sat in a room and tried to figure out a way to suppress the vote,” said Florida GOP Chairman Lenny Curry.

But that’s exactly what many Democrats do believe.

“I don’t think Republicans probably used those words, but pretty close,” said Democratic Party executive director Scott Arceneaux, sitting next to Curry on the panel.

“I believe there absolutely was an intent to suppress votes,” added Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, who was on Curry’s other side.

Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, voted for the law most often blamed by critics for doing that, an elections bill passed in 2011 that, among other things, reduced early voting days. He said he, for one, had no intent of keeping anyone from casting a ballot.

Rather than thinking about keeping minorities and others who tend to vote Democratic from voting – if that was ever contemplated – the GOP needs to start courting them, Latvala said.

“We can’t win just based on better techniques … we’ve got to win based on ideas and better ideas,” Latvala said. “We can’t write off African-Americans and Hispanics and teachers and cops and firefighters and environmentalists and gays. There’s not 50 percent plus 1 left.”

STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott rolls out a proposed budget that includes an increase of more than $1 billion in education spending, including a nearly half billion dollar pay raise for teachers. It also includes new money for environmental projects and bonuses for state workers – a couple things not seen in a while.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Just because we’ve come out of the years the locusts have eaten, doesn’t mean we’re in the years of milk and honey.” Senate President Don Gaetz, injecting some Biblical caution into the talk about the return of budget largesse now that the economy has improved.

By The News Service of Florida

Jan Newcome

February 2, 2013

Jan Newcome met her Savior on January 31, 2013, her mother’s 87th birthday. She was born on July 24, 1955 in Pensacola, Florida.

After graduating from U. W. F., she taught at Century Elementary, Lincoln Park Elementary and Pine Meadow Elementary. She taught for 33 years before she retired in October, 2012. She was a dedicated educator who inspired her colleagues to “do what was good and right for little children”. She inspired countless children to always do their best to be life-long learners. The fruit from the seeds she planted will continue to grow.

She was preceded in death by her father, James A. Newcome, II and her nephews Ryan and Jeremy Huggins.

Survivors include her mother, Claire B. Newcome;her sister, Lynn Brown (Danny); her brother James Newcome III (Kim);her great-nephews Hayden Huggins, her Punky Dumpling, Dillan Hall (Darian); her great-great niece Raelynn, and her angel on earth Peggy Jordan.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 4, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 3:00 p.m.

Jan has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House.

“…and the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13

Tate Beats Northview

February 2, 2013

The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 78-51 to wrap up the regular season Friday night in Cantonment.

The Chiefs were led by Neino Robinson with 23 and Cameron Newsome with 12. Leading scorers for Tate were Marquis Cass with 25, Daniel Cafalrella with 21, and Travis Walton with 16.

Game Day Food Safety Tips

February 2, 2013

Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest day of the year for food consumption. Super Bowl parties feature food, fun, food, and more food—lots of finger foods , dips, beverages, casseroles, and other snacks.

Food-borne illnesses, better known as food poisoning, affect one in six Americans each year. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 128,000 Americans are hospitalized, and 3,000 deaths occur each year from food-borne illnesses, so this year, kick off your Game Day party the food-safe way.

When planning those finger foods, dips, and casseroles, score some extra points by practicing the Four Basic Food Preparation Safety Rules:

CLEAN — The first rule is to keep everything that comes in contact with the food clean. Wash hands with warm water and soap before handling food and disinfect all food contact surfaces, such as dishes, cutting boards, countertops, and utensils with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.

SEPARATE — The second rule is to not provide bacteria with an ideal environment to spread. Cross-contamination is the spread of bacteria from one food item to another. Keep raw foods separated from cooked food items. Store uncooked meats on the lower shelves of the refrigerator to prevent dripping and cross-contamination.

COOK — Cook foods to proper temperature to be certain the food reaches an internal temperature high enough to destroy bacteria. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat,
poultry and fish are cooked to the correct temperature for that food.

CHILL — When transporting foods, the rule is to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Never defrost foods on the counter at room temperature. Always allow sufficient time to thaw foods in the refrigerator. Perishable foods should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Rotate foods in and out of the refrigerator, or use ice to avoid any dish being left out too long. Refrigerate leftovers immediately after the game.

All foods are perishable and can cause food-borne illness when not handled properly. Game Day is a great opportunity for family and friends to get together for parties and enjoy seasonal foods.

Play smart on Super Bowl Sunday…don’t let bacteria crash your party.

Rose Marie Weathers Arnold

February 2, 2013

Rose Marie Weathers Arnold, age 70, departed this life on January 26, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Jullette Weathers.

Rose was united in holy matrimony to her cherished husband, Henry L. Arnold, on March 6, 1965 and to this beautiful union two children were born (Taffany Maria and Prince Terrell). In 2012, Henry and Rose celebrated their 47th Year Anniversary.

Rose was educated in the public schools of Escambia County. After attending Booker T. Washington High School, she attended Washington Junior College and she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Bethune Cookman College (Daytona Beach, FL) and her Master of Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU-Tallahassee, FL).

She believed in education and her professional career spoke volumes to the career she pursued as an educator in the Escambia County school system. Rose contributed to the educational advancement of many children as a teacher in several local schools including: Ransom High School, Wedgewood Middle School, Carver High School (Century, FL) and Washington Adult High School. Rose retired as the Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Booker T. Washington High School in 2001.

Rose was a faithful member of Englewood Missionary Baptist Church. In 1998, her husband became the Pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (Cantonment, FL) and Rose dutifully assisted him in the ministry.

Rose touched many lives and all who knew her will surely miss her presence. She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory, love and legacy, her loving and devoted husband, Henry L. Arnold; one daughter, Taffany Shipp; one son, Prince T. (April) Arnold; two grand-daughters, Jordan LaRose Shipp and Parker Rwizi; four grandsons, Prince Isaiah Arnold and Deuce Rwizi of Milton, FL, Theo and Cassio Shipp, both of Kansas City, MO; godmother, Marion Cotton; god-daughter, Marjorae Ball of Kenner, LA; two sisters, Guerlean (Thomas) Allison of Kannapolis, NC and Jannette Neal of Pensacola, FL; two brothers, David (Christine) Weathers of Milton, FL and Nathaniel (Jacqueline) Weathers of Pensacola, FL; three brother-in-laws, Prince Arnold, Jr. and Alphonse (Joyce) Arnold, both of Pensacola, FL and David (Ruth) Savage of Cleveland, OH; two sister-in-laws, Isabell (Joe) Thomas of Century, FL and Prince Ann (Calvin) Cooley of Cleveland, OH and a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.

Homegoing services will be on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church with Pastor Larry C. Watson, Sr., officiating.

Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Man Finds $12,000 In Bank Bag, Returns It

February 1, 2013

An Escambia County man that found over $12,000 in cash turned it into authorities.

George Cooper was cleaning the Pensacola Bay shoreline area behind his home in the 8700 block of Scenic Highway when he saw a plastic bag that turned out to contain $12,303 in cash and some paperwork. Cooper took the bag to Coastal bank and Savings on East Nine Mile Road where it was turned over to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies later learned the money was not stolen but had been lost by Loomis Armored Car Services.

Century’s Hope For ECAT Gas Tax Exemption Hits Major Roadblock

February 1, 2013

Century’s hope for an exemption from a planned four cent gasoline tax hike approved by Escambia County hit a major roadblock Thursday.

The Century Town Council wanted the Florida Legislature to consider the exemption, but the proposal never made it to a Thursday afternoon meeting of the  Escambia County State Legislative Delegation. That’s because, according to Rep. Clay Ingram, Florida law won’t allow the Legislature to consider such an exemption.

“The Century mayor’s office concluded that, under Florida’s constitution, a local bill is not the appropriate procedure by which to achieve an exemption, but they are currently looking at other options,” Ingram said.

Mayor Freddie McCall said Thursday afternoon that he was disappointed the Legislature won’t be able to exempt Century from the gas tax hike, but the town will continue to explore options.

“We might be able to do it through a (constitutional) amendment,” he said.

The four cent gas tax approved last year by the Escambia County Commission is scheduled to be implemented in 2014. Century officials contend the new tax is unfair to North Escambia residents and may force the three gas stations in Century to close as they force drivers choosing to purchase lower priced gasoline across the state line in Flomaton.

Pictured: Two of Century’s three gas stations at the intersection of East Highway 4 and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Tate Mock Trial Team Wins Regional Championship

February 1, 2013

The Tate High School Mock Trial team defeated Gulf Breeze Thursday evening to become regional champions.

With the the win, the Tate High School Mock Trial team will represent the area in the state Mock Trial Competition. Last year, the Tate team won the state championship.

Gaetz: Six-Lane Widening For Portion Of Highway 29; New Bay Bridge

February 1, 2013

A six lane upgrade to a portion of Highway 29 and a new no-toll Three Mile Bridge were among nearly $1 billion in transportation funding announced Thursday by Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Gaetz said he was told the initiative constitutes the largest single investment in our area’s transportation infrastructure in state history.

Escambia County will see widening of Highway 29 from four to six lanes from Nine Mile Road to I-10.  The interchange at Nine Mile Road will be replaced with a “tight urban diamond” and existing ramps will be converted to service roads.  Construction is planned for 2016 at a cost of $50.8 million.

The largest single project is the replacement of the Three Mile Bridge on Highway 98 connecting  Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.  The bridge will cost $595.6 million to build.  Construction will begin in two years following acquisition of right of way and environmental permits.

The Senate President emphasized that the new bridge will not be a toll bridge but will be paid for entirely by state transportation funds.

Northwest Florida’s three ports – Pensacola, Panama City and Port St. Joe – will all receive improvements totaling $14.5 million.  Gaetz praised Montford (D-Tallahassee) for his persistence and success in championing port funding as a way to help manufacturing and agriculture.  Montford is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Gaetz said the impact of the historic investments will be to help the private sector create more and better jobs.

“Hundreds of jobs will be created during the engineering and construction of these projects,” Gaetz explained.  “But the real economic value is in building the arteries that get products to and from market.  A burst of construction getting that infrastructure in place will help our communities attract and keep growing businesses that need skilled workers for decades to come.”

Santa Rosa County will receive $23.9 million in state funds to add two lanes to the existing two lane State Road 87 from Eglin AFB’s boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River.

Millions of dollars of projects were also announced in Okaloosa, Washington, Holmes and Bay counties.

Pictured top: The Three Mile Bridge linking Pensacola and Gulf Breeze is set for replacement. Pictured inset: Highway 29 from Nine Mile Road to I-10 will become six lanes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Jay Sex Offender Charged With Registration Violation

February 1, 2013

A convicted sex offender from Jay has been been arrested for failing to comply with Florida’s sexual offender registration laws.

Henry Lee Thompson, 63,  was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond for failing to report his proper address to authorities. Thompson was convicted of sexual battery of an adult female in June 2010 and ordered to register as a sexual offender.

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