Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Don’t Spend It All In One Place
September 15, 2013
In recent years, when they would hear the reports of lagging revenue and growing expenses, lawmakers would send a warning to agencies, special interests and anyone else listening: Don’t ask for more money. It isn’t there.
The warnings aren’t quite as dire this time, but the House and Senate budget chairs are still sending a similar message despite an $845.7 million projected surplus. The money might be there, but it’s not time to go on a spending spree.
That would at least seem to indicate that something is going to have to pay for the $500 million tax cut that Gov. Rick Scott is pitching across the state on a campaign-style swing less than a year ahead of the real thing, when he would presumably talk again about the $500 million tax cut.
Meanwhile, the campaign trail proved to be tricky for Attorney General Pam Bondi after she admitted asking the governor’s office to move an execution that conflicted with her campaign kickoff. And the state said goodbye to a man all too familiar with walking the trail.
READ MY LIPS: TAX CUTS MUST BE OFFSET
Scott spent much of his week zig-zagging the state to push for a tax whose details he doesn’t yet know. The governor has already said he will devote $500 million to reducing taxes and fees in his budget for the year that begins July 1, but has said he will solicit advice on how to get to that number.
That meant a four-day, five-city swing that took Scott to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando. The “It’s Your Money” Tax Cut Tour coincided with the week when lawmakers heard a presentation on how much extra money they will have for the next budget.
Right now, the number sits at $845.7 million, when high-priority items and a $1 billion reserve are factored in. But despite the extra funding — much of which is one-time money — legislative leaders are urging caution when it comes to big spending items.
Like $500 million tax cuts.
“Obviously the widely reported surplus is good news for Florida,” House Budget Chairman Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, said in a statement. “But despite our healthy surplus, it is not cause for dancing in the streets. The Florida Legislature has made fiscally responsible decisions that have helped to improve Florida’s bottom line and I suggest that we not lose sight of our fiscal principles as we move forward.”
Senate Budget Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, sounded the same notes.
“In order to fund new priorities, initiatives, things that our constituents feel are important in 2013 and 2014, we’re going continue to have to have the discipline to review previous expenditures that were important to legislators who were duly elected in the 1990s and in 2000 and 2010,” Negron said.
But the GOP was likely to go along with Scott’s idea in the end, particularly in an election-year session, which means the concept will probably make it into next year’s budget. Democrats are already savaging the proposal, saying that it amounts to taking money that could be used on education and funneling it to the well-off.
“Instead of touting taxpayer giveaways that favor wealthy special interests and the politically connected, Governor Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders should focus on the needs of working families,” said House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale. “Rather than gimmicks, it’s time that Florida’s leaders get serious about better funding for public schools, community colleges and universities.”
BONDI’S SCHEDULING CONFLICT
Attorney General Pam Bondi, meanwhile, found herself in a controversy that made it all the way to the Rachel Maddow Show the week after it was revealed that she asked Scott to change the date of an execution because of a scheduling conflict with her campaign kickoff.
On Sept. 6, the News Service of Florida reported that the execution of death row inmate Marshall Lee Gore had been rescheduled from Tuesday, Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 because of Bondi’s campaign event.
By Monday, Bondi was already forced to say that she was wrong to ask Scott to push the date back to accommodate the event.
“As a prosecutor, there was nothing more important than seeing justice done, especially when it came to the unconscionable act of murder,” Bondi said in a release. “I personally put two people on death row and, as attorney general, have already participated in eight executions since I took office, a role I take very seriously.”
“The planned execution of Marshall Lee Gore had already been stayed twice by the courts, and we should not have requested that the date of the execution be moved,” Bondi added.
For his part, Scott said he wasn’t aware of why the attorney general had asked for Gore’s death to be delayed
“We set the date, the attorney general’s office asked for a postponement, so we went along with that,” Scott responded when asked Monday if he thought the reason for the delay was proper. “We try to comply with when other Cabinet members ask for something. We try to work with them.”
Gore, whose sanity has been the focus of efforts to block the execution, was convicted of killing two women in 1988 in Miami-Dade and Columbia counties.
Gore’s death warrant is for the murder of Robyn Novick, whose body was found in March 1988 in a rural area of Miami-Dade.
By the end of the week, Democrats — who have yet to round up an official challenger for Bondi — were already using the event to try to slam both the attorney general and the governor.
The Florida Democratic Party said it has submitted an open-records request for Scott, Bondi and several of Scott’s top aides to turn over anything dealing with the delay in the execution.
“Pam Bondi has demonstrated astoundingly bad judgment, putting partisan politics ahead of the most serious duty she has as Attorney General. But we know that’s not the full story,” said Joshua Karp, a party spokesman, in a press release. “Governor Rick Scott has refused to answer questions about his office’s involvement in this gross breach of the public trust, directing all inquiries back to Pam Bondi.”
Also on the hot seat this week was Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who is in line to become the next Democratic leader in the House – but is facing some calls to step aside. Rouson, who already wasn’t unanimously supported by the caucus, ran into trouble most recently when two Democratic Party staffers were fired for helping him set up a separate fundraising arm for House Democrats. Top party officials worried about a lack of fundraising coordination, and Rouson backed down. But on Friday, the current House Democratic leader, Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, called a caucus meeting for later this month to clear the air – and let Rouson try to make his case for remaining leader-designate.
FAREWELL TO SHAW
There were also some notable comings and goings in the world of Florida politics, including the death of longtime congressman Clay Shaw.
Shaw, a Republican who served a mostly moderate coastal district from 1981 to 2007, died Tuesday at the age of 74 after a battle with lung cancer. Shaw won in 1980, as President Ronald Reagan easily defeated the incumbent Jimmy Carter, and was also a part of the GOP’s Contract with America that powered a congressional takeover in 1994.
Shaw, whose accomplishments included efforts to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration plan, work on the 1996 Welfare Reform Act and introducing the Missing Children’s Act of 1982, was mourned by Republicans and Democrats.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who served six years in the House with Shaw, called him “a great advocate and public servant” whose “greatest love was always his family.”
And U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., also praised Shaw.
“I will always fondly remember Clay Shaw from my time as mayor of West Palm Beach, as someone who you could work with in a bipartisan manner and as a true gentleman,” she said.
Shaw was unseated in 2006 by Democrat Ron Klein as part of a Democratic wave that temporarily ended GOP control of the House.
Also this week, Jerry McDaniel announced he would retire Dec. 31 from his position as budget director, which he held under both Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist. He will be replaced by Cynthia Kelly, a former top House and Senate budget staff member who has since 2010 worked as director of the Division of Administrative Services at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
And Jan Ignash, vice chancellor and chief academic officer for the State University System, was officially tapped Thursday to be interim chancellor until the Board of Governors can find a permanent replacement for Frank Brogan. Ignash is not expected to apply for the permanent position.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Legislative leaders called for caution about an $845.7 million surplus as Gov. Rick Scott toured the state touting his proposed $500 million tax cut.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m asking, before a person be judged and convicted in a rush to judgment, for the opportunity to appear in front of the caucus and lay out the strategy.”–Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, on calls for him to step aside from House Minority Leader-designate.
Weekend Weather: Sunny Weekend, Some Rain Next Week
September 14, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Girl’s Orange Juice Stand Benefits Liver Disease Patient
September 14, 2013
Shelby Godwin of Bratt has never met Wyatt Johnson, a 17-month old from Century who is suffering from a chronic liver disease. But she saw a fundraising flyer at CVS with Wyatt’s picture and was so emotionally touched by the young man that she wanted to do something to help him.
Her idea? A fresh orange juice stand along East Highway 4 in Bratt, under the shade trees in front of her house. The 10-year old used her own money to purchase the oranges and supplies for her little business venture and borrowed an old fashioned juicer from a friend of her mom.
Business wasn’t bad at all Friday afternoon.
“There was this man in a big ole pickup truck,” the young entrepreneur said. “He ordered a medium for $2, and he paid with a $20. I told him he didn’t need his change, so he donated it. Wyatt needs it more.”
Shelby’s orange juice stand will be open again next Friday and Saturday afternoons in the 5100 block of West Highway 4, almost directly across from the Bratt Assembly of God. A small fresh squeezed orange juice is $1 and a medium is $2. Donations are welcome and very much encouraged. All proceeds benefit Wyatt Johnson, son of Justin and Nicole Johnson of Century as he battles a liver disease and prepares for a possible transplant.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Davis Highway At I-10 Roadwork Set To Begin
September 14, 2013
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $144,412 contract to Panhandle Grading & Paving, Inc. to make improvements on Davis Highway at the westbound I-10 on ramp in Pensacola.
Improvements will include construction of an additional free flow southbound lane onto the westbound I-10 on ramp from Davis Highway. Also, the outside southbound through lane on Davis Highway will be converted to a free flow lane. Crews will begin preparing for construction activities beginning Monday. Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions. However, work requiring lane closures will take place between 8:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded by FDOT to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
Local Hospitals, Doctors To Pay $3.5 Million For Improper Billing
September 14, 2013
Radiation oncology providers in Pensacola will pay $3.5 million to the government and the state of Florida to resolve allegations that they billed Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE – the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees and their families worldwide – for radiation oncology services that were not eligible for payment, the Justice Department announced late Friday.
The defendants include Gulf Region Radiation Oncology Centers Inc. (GRROC), Gulf Region Radiation Oncology MSO LLC, Sacred Heart Health System Inc., West Florida Medical Center Clinic P.A., Emerald Coast Radiation Oncology Center LLC (ECROC), Dr. Gerald Lowrey and Dr. Rod Krentel.
The government alleged that between 2007 and 2011, the defendants regularly billed for radiation oncology services that were not supervised by a physician, as required by Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE, and that, in fact, these services were often performed while the defendant doctors were on vacation or were working at another radiation oncology clinic. The government also alleged that the defendants billed for other treatment services even when patients’ medical records provided no evidence that the services were rendered. The defendants also allegedly billed twice for the same services and misrepresented the level of a service provided to increase their reimbursement from the federal health care programs.
“It is critical that federal health care beneficiaries receive care that is properly supervised,” said Stuart F. Delery, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue companies and individuals that seek to boost their profits at the expense of taxpayers.”
Since December 2007, Sacred Heart Health System Inc. and West Florida Medical Center Clinic P.A. have been the sole shareholders of Gulf Region Radiation Oncology MSO LLC and GRROC. GRROC provides radiation oncology services at two locations in Pensacola. Sacred Heart was also a shareholder in ECROC, a radiation oncology center located in Destin, Fla., approximately 60 miles from Pensacola. Beginning in December 2007, Lowrey and Krentel, both radiation oncologists, began providing physician services at the GRROC clinics, and in June 2008, they began providing services at ECROC.
“Submitting false claims for medical services raises the cost of health care for all of us as patients and taxpayers,” said Pamela C. Marsh, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Patients, employees and others who suspect billing fraud on the part of health care providers should not hesitate to report such fraud to federal authorities. Health care providers – both corporations and individuals – must be held accountable when they submit false information.”
The allegations resolved by today’s settlement were first raised in a lawsuit filed against the defendants under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act. The act allows private citizens with knowledge of fraud to bring civil actions on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. As part of the settlement, the whistleblower, Richard Koch, who previously worked at GRROC, will receive approximately $609,796 from the federal share of the settlement amount.
In addition to the $3.5 million payment, defendants GRROC, Lowrey and Krentel entered into Integrity Agreements with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) intended to deter wrongful conduct in the future. The agreements require enhanced accountability and monitoring activities to be conducted by both internal and independent external reviewers.
“Patient care supervision is critical for ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries receive needed, top-quality care,” said Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, HHS-OIG, Office of Investigations, Miami Region. “Our increased investigative efforts in the Florida panhandle show that we will protect taxpayer-funded government health programs regardless of where perpetrators might be located.”
Tate’s Turnaround: Back To Back Wins
September 14, 2013
Coming off a historic first time in 20 years win last week over Pensacola, the Tate Aggies were achieved their goal back to back wins Friday night 35-21 over Panama City Bay.
Just two wins in a season has been a big challenge for the Aggies; they last won two games in 2010 with a 3-7 season record. Panama City Bay came in with a 2-0 record and was looking forward to going home with another win.
The Aggies’ first score cam on a 2-yard run from Lavontia Samuel, followed by a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sawyer Smith to Deontia Nicholson. Tate held the lead 12-7 at the half.
Tate open the second half with a 68-yard quarterback keeper TD run from Sawyer Smith on the first play from scrimmage. Smith scored again later in the quarter on a 19-yard run play. Tate allowed a interception for a touchdown and two blocked punts letting Bay stay in the game. Tate still held the lead at the end of the third, 28-21.
The only score in the fourth belonged to Tate on another run from 2-yards out by QB Smith. Tate was able to control the ball for much of the fourth quarter running out the clock for their 35-21 win.
Tate faces West Gadsden next Friday night for homecoming at Pete Gindl Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Pictured above: Tate beat Panama City Bay Friday night in Cantonment. Pictured below: Coach Ronnie Douglas huddles with the team between plays. Photos by Kaleigh Blackmon and Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Shot Late Friday Night In Escambia County
September 14, 2013
One person was transported to a local hospital after a report of multiple shots fire late Friday night at the Sunrise Apartments on Fairfield Drive.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the apartment complex just after 10:30 p.m. They found 23-year old Mario Brewer had been shot twice — once in the shoulder and once where the bullet just grazed his head. His injuries were considered non-life threatening.
Brewer only told deputies that the person that shot him was a black mail in his 20’s known to him only as “MONDO”.
A 24-year old male was shot at the apartment complex early last Tuesday morning. He did not have life threatening injuries and chose not provide any suspect information to the Sheriff’s Office.
If anyone has any information either shooting, they are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or theEscambia County Sheriff Investigations Unit at (850) 436-9630.
Chipley Downs The Chiefs
September 14, 2013
The defending 1A state champion Northview Chiefs have next week off, and they’ll need it to recover, rethink and regroup after a Friday night’s 47-18 loss to the Chipley Tigers.
“We were up 18-13 in the second quarter and they just took away our momentum,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. Chipley outscored the Chiefs by 14-0 in the third quarter and another 12-0 in the second quarter.
The Chiefs were plagued by mistakes, including an unusual number of bad snaps from the line of scrimmage, throughout Friday night’s road game in Chipley.
“We blew a lot of snaps…I think it was 12 times we just about threw the ball over the quarterback’s head,” Wheatley said. “We probably lost 150 yards just from bad snaps.”
Friday night just wasn’t the expected performance from what was this season’s No. 1 ranked 1A team.
“We have just got to stress the fundamentals of football, and take this loss to develop some mental aggression in the minds of the offensive line. They’ve got to understand how they should feel with they self-inflict a loss like tonight and make sure it never happens again.”
The Chipley Tigers were first on the scoreboard Friday night with a touchdown at the 8:15 mark in the first quarter. By the end of the first, the Tigers sat at first and goal on the four-yard line, going in for a touchdown and 13-0 lead early in the second. The Chiefs answered with a touchdown and a missed extra point attempt, 13-6 Chipley.
With about five minutes in the half, the Chiefs scored on a 40-yard TD pass to Brannon Freeman, cutting their deficit to 13-12. With 3:18 to go before the half, Neino Robinson scored on a 25-yard touchdown run, putting Northview up 18-13. And that was to be the final score of the night for Northview.
Chipley returned the kickoff for a touchdown to take a 21-18 lead at the half.
Freeman and Ladarius Thomas had about 75 yards each Friday night for the Chiefs. In addition to throwing for two touchdowns, quarterback Dalton Tullis had about 237 yards in the air for Northview. Robison had 77 yard on six catches along with his touchdown.
After an open week, the Northview Chiefs will host Choctawhatchee on September 27 before beginning district play in Jay on October 4.
Photos by Amy Holland and Bethany Reynolds for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homecoming Win Pushes Jay Royals To 3-0
September 14, 2013
The Jay Royals celebrated a happy Homecoming Friday night as they beat Vernon 13-0. They Royals are riding an early season winnings streak at 3-0.
After a scoreless first quarter, Tate Upton was in from one yard out for the Royals with 6:06 in the half. With a good kick from Dakota Smith, the Royals held a 7-0 advantage. The Royals scored again early in the third with an 85-yard kickoff return by Victor Mishoe.
The Royals have an open date next week before traveling to Flomaton on Friday, September 27.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Food Stamp Cards Won’t Work Monday
September 14, 2013
With the state Department of Children and Families switching to a new vendor, the program that provides food assistance — formerly known as food stamps — to low-income people will be temporarily offline Monday.
Purchases with electronic benefits transfer cards will not be available from midnight until Monday evening.
DCF spokesman Whitney Ray said people who would normally receive funds close to Monday instead received them a week early, and they should get ready for the system being down.
“We ask that all EBT customers go ahead and prepare by stocking up on groceries,” Ray said. “We hope to, by the afternoon, have benefits flowing again. Folks won’t need new cards in that situation, and they’ll be able to go to the store and make those purchases once again.”
DCF has been working since July on the switch to the new vendor, e-Funds, which will provide electronic-benefits transfer services. It says the switch will lead to $21 million in savings over three years in the food-assistance program known by the acronym SNAP.