Effort Underway To Collect Taxes On Internet Sales
February 6, 2013
An annual effort to collect taxes on Internet sales began again in the Legislature on Tuesday, with a Senate committee agreeing to offset any new money collected with other tax breaks in a bid to appease anti-tax lawmakers.
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee approved a measure (SB 316) by committee chairwoman Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, that would require Internet vendors who sell to Florida residents to pay state sales tax.
The bill would require Internet based companies, even if they don’t have a physical presence in Florida, to pay sales tax when a product is sold to a person residing in Florida. Though estimates vary widely, Detert said the tax would generate about $400 million in additional sales tax revenue.
The bill was approved 10-1, but still needs approval from three other Senate committees before the floor. A similar House bill (HB 497) is yet to get a committee hearing.
The effort to collect Internet taxes has been cursed for years by the fear of a backlash from voters for voting to increase taxes – even though backers have long argued that the tax is supposed to be charged already, but simply isn’t paid.
In an attempt to win over anti-tax lawmakers, the measure this year includes a $141 million sales tax cut for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing and another $150 million cut in the communication services tax, charged on certain phone and other telecommunications services.
“Rather than worry about whether this is a new tax, a tax reduction, or a tax increase, what this really is, is tax reform,” Detert said.
Business groups queued up on Tuesday to add their support. Representatives from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida said the time has come to end Internet tax breaks that hurt storefronts and strip malls – now sometimes places that simply showcase items that are later purchased on the web.
“It puts everyone on an equal footing,” said Sen. Gwen Margolis, D- Miami. “I’m tired of seeing empty shopping centers. The money is walking away from Florida.”
“It has been a lingering problem and it has only gotten bigger and bigger,” said Randy Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Retail Federation. “The face of retailing is changing. We recognize that people don’t want to go to the mall anymore. They want to sit at their computer.”
“This protects employees – employees who bring paychecks home to provide for their families,” said Brewster Bevis, senior vice president for Associated Industries of Florida.
Noticeably absent from Tuesday meeting were representatives of Amazon.com and other Internet merchants that enjoy a competitive advantage.
By The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward To Hold Orientation, Registration Event
February 6, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold an orientation and registration for all students who plan to attend EWMS next school year. The event will be held Thursday, February 21 from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. in the school gym.
Invitations have already been sent home with sixth and seventh grade EWMS students, along with students from Byrneville, Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools.
The invitation includes a free meal catered by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse for the immediate family of each student who returns the completed form to their homeroom teacher, guidance counselor or the school office by Tuesday, February 12.
During the program, EWMS and staff will be available to answer questions and explain middle school programs, extracurricular activities, and middle school academies. Parents are encouraged to attend the event to complete their child’s registration process for the next school year.
Century’s ‘Illegal’ Nativity Scene Named Community Pride Award Winner
February 6, 2013
Those behind displaying a nativity scene that once belonged to the Town of Century until it came under attack by an atheist group’s attorney as being illegal, are the February recipients of the Century Chamber of Commerce’s Community Pride Award.
The nativity scene was displayed in December on property across Highway 29 from the Century Town Hall. The town declared the nativity scene as surplus property to be sold to the highest bidder after an attorney for the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation sent letters to the town claiming that a nativity scene on public property is illegal.
The nativity display was purchased by the Faith Bible Baptist Church. It was erected and lit by church volunteers in front of an abandoned building directly across Highway 29 from the Century Town Hall. The use of the property was donated by owner Don Grant of Century Marine. Electricity for the display was donated by the neighboring Abundant Life Assembly of God, while Tabernacle Baptist Church donated the wiring necessary to light the display.
The three churches and Century Marine will receive the Community Pride Award for their efforts. The award is set to be presented on Thursday.
For more about the nativity scene and the atheist group’s claims, click here for December NorthEscambia.com story.
Pictured top and below: The Town of Century’s nativity scene was sold as surplus property to a local church and put on display in December across the street from town hall. Pictured inset; The Century Town Hall (with Christmas lights) is just across Highway 29 from the nativity scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Advance In District Basketball Tourney
February 6, 2013
Northview and Jay both advanced in the District 2-1A basketball tournament at Jay Tuesday.
The No. 3 seed Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 61-43, and the No. 4 seed Jay beat the Baker Gators 53-47 in overtime.
Northview will take on No. 2 Bonifay Friday at 6 p.m., and Jay will face No. 1 Chipley at 7:30 p.m. Friday night’s winners will advance to the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday in Jay.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Reader Photos: DirecTV Blimp Passes Over North Escambia
February 6, 2013
The DirecTV blimp was spotted over North Escambia Tuesday. These photos from readers Ben and Rachel Gilmore show the blimp over Molino, as seen from Rolling Oaks Drive and Schaag Road. Submitted photos for Northescambia.com, click to enlarge.
Margie B. Eddins Richardson Jaye
February 6, 2013
Margie B. Eddins Richardson Jaye of Atmore, passed away February 14, 2013, at her residence. She was born in Bratt, to the late Lou K. and Flora Mae VanHoosen Eddins. She worked at Vanity Fair and retired from Monsanto. She was a member of Presley Street Baptist Church, Atmore Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 90, VFW and was a Pink Lady at Atmore Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Steven T. Richardson and husband, Jim Jaye.
She is survived by her sons, Ronald Wayne (Cheryl) Richardson and Donald (Pam) Richardson both of Atmore; grandsons, Steven W. Richardson and Jason D. Richardson; great- grandchildren, Brooklyn, Lauren, Ally and Dakota.
Funeral services will be Sunday, February 17, 2013, at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating. Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 17, 2013, from 1 p.m. until service time at from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers will be Raymond Jerkins, Don Smith, J.C. Moye, Jason Kirby, Dewayne Hall and Richard Waters.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Atmore Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 90, and Mildred Edwards.
Special thanks to Ladies Candlelight Compassion, Atmore Community Hospital and Dr. Shane Harigel and staff.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jay Man Passes Away After Wreck
February 5, 2013
A Jay man passed away Monday afternoon from injuries he received in a Monday night wreck.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 40-year old David Willis Bell of Jay was traveling north on Hazel Godwin Road north of County Road 184 in the Brownsdale community about 9:45 p.m. when he lost control. Bell’s 2008 Dodge truck struck several trees, ejecting him onto the roadway.
Bell was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola were he was pronounced deceased at 12:49 Tuesday afternoon.
Bell’s passenger, 22-year old Cheyanne Coty Bishop of Milton, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit.
Four Tate Students Receive Minor Injuries When School Bus Rear-Ended
February 5, 2013
Four Tate High School students were injured when their school bus was rear-ended by a SUV driver this morning.
The accident occurred about 8 a.m. on Guidy Lane. The Florida Highway Patrol said the school bus, driven by 50-year old Therese Bridget Drexler of Pensacola, was traveling north on Guidy Lane when it stopped to pick up passengers.
The driver of a Ford Expedition, 32-year old Michael Wayne Jernigan, failed to stop his Ford Expedition and rear-ended the bus as it began to pull foward, the FHP said. He was cited with failure to use due care and failure to display a driver’s license.
Of the 32 passengers on the school bus, four were transported with minor injuries to Sacred Heart and Baptist hospitals.
Trooper’s Patrol Car Rear-Ended
February 5, 2013
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper is recovering after his cruiser was rear-ended this morning on an interstate on ramp.
The FHP said trooper Charles L. Mitchell, 56, was property parked on the I-110 ramp to I-10 in the paved median with his emergency lights activated on his unmarked patrol car as he completed a crash report from a previous accident. A 2008 Dodge driven by 33-year old Faith A. Williams left roadway and rear-ended the trooper.
Both drivers received minor injuries.
Williams was charged with failure to use due care.
Fog Tonight, Sunny Wednesday
February 5, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy dense fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Patchy dense fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 70. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.