Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Gearing Up For Session, Campaigns
February 1, 2014
The beginning of February brings with it a month that promises several things, from Valentine’s Day to the beginning of spring training. And, for all intents and purposes, the start of the legislative session.
Like pitchers and catchers who report and start spring training by knocking off the proverbial rust, lawmakers won’t go into full sprint mode over the following month, instead holding committee meetings ahead of the official March 4 opening of the session. But also like the players who will soon show up at camp locations across Florida (and Arizona), they will lay the critical groundwork for what happens in the months ahead.
So Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz spent part of Wednesday detailing their plans for the 2014 session to reporters and editors gathered for the Associated Press’ annual legislative planning meeting in Tallahassee. Scott and his prime opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist, also traded political shots at the event.
Meanwhile, the Florida Supreme Court declined to snuff out a medical marijuana initiative that could change all of their calculations.
BUDGETS AND BALLOTS
Officially, Scott’s remarks at the AP meeting were to introduce his new, nearly $74.2 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Most of the highlights were already known: The plan would boost spending for education and child welfare, slash taxes and fees by more than $500 million and fund an array of other politically popular programs in an election year.
There were a couple of new details — $21.6 million in tax breaks by raising the exemption on the corporate income tax from $50,000 to $75,000, and setting aside up to $70 million for Florida Forever, a major land conservation program.
But the governor tried to keep the focus on the tax cuts in the package, including rolling back a motor-vehicle registration fee increase approved in 2009.
“My message to the people of Florida is this: It’s your money,” Scott said. “We want you to keep it in your pockets. Invest in your hopes, invest in your dreams.”
Democrats were unimpressed, noting that the “historic” education budget increase would largely come from rising local property tax revenues, which would account for $374.7 million of the $542 million boost for schools.
“Historic disappointment — that’s what’s historic about this governor’s budget,” sneered House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale.
Scott, though, didn’t focus solely on budgetary business. He used the growth in state revenues and the general improvement in the economy to take some swipes at Crist, a former Republican governor now running as a Democrat for his old job.
“Florida shed more than 800,000 jobs in the four years before I took office,” he said, without needing to point out who was governor then. “Taxes increased, debt increased and the unemployment rate rose to 11.4 percent, all while hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost. Florida was in a hole and for four years, there was just more digging.”
Crist pointed out that Scott had a history of his own, including the incumbent’s time as CEO of hospital giant Columbia/HCA. After Scott left the firm, it paid a record $1.7 billion in fines, fees and damages in a settlement for Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The fraud occurred while Scott was CEO but he left the firm days after the feds raided company offices
“Floridians need to be reminded who I’m running against,” Crist said. “This is a guy who headed a company that ended up having to pay the largest fine for fraud in the history of the United States of America at the time. To me that is stunning …and unconscionable. I’m going to talk about it every day.”
Crist’s primary opponent, former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, tried to tie both men together — using Crist’s former time in the GOP as a cudgel.
“I stand on my record,” she said. “I think he has rewritten his.”
So far, the last couple of months of campaigning appear to have made no real difference. A Quinnipiac University poll released the day after the AP event showed Crist leading Scott, 46 percent to 38 percent — about the same as a November survey by the university’s polling arm. Scott would beat Rich by 4 points, 41 percent to 37 percent, though with a huge chunk of voters undecided.
LET’S GET TO WORK PLAN
Less political, at least on the surface, was a presentation by Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Gaetz, R-Niceville, on their shared agenda for 2014. It marks the second straight year that Gaetz and Weatherford, seeking to distance themselves from the rancor between the House and Senate under their predecessors, have done the two-man show.
Especially for an election year, when the tendency is for lawmakers to do their work as quickly as possible and get out of the town, the agenda was ambitious. The two leaders want to cut the “differential tuition” increases that universities can request, expand the state’s tax-credit voucher program, pass a “Florida GI Bill,” turn Florida into “scorched earth” for sexual predators, hit Scott’s tax-cut target and overhaul the state’s pension system.
“We’re doubling down with our legislative agenda in 2014,” Weatherford said. “What we’re doing here today is creating a framework that I believe our legislators and the members of our committees in the House and Senate can work on to refine and improve upon.”
Thurston said he backs the proposals to roll back motor-vehicle registration fees and limit tuition hikes, and the intent of the Republican leadership’s military-friendly “GI Bill.” But he said further details on the GOP agenda are needed.
“Some of the stuff on the list we’ve been advocating for years and years and years,” Thurston said. “So if they’re moving towards that, I’d support that. But I’d like to see the details of how they intend to do that.”
Gaetz said the intent of the GI Bill is to make Florida “the number one military friendly state.” It would include out-of-state tuition waivers for all veterans, free tuition for members of the Florida National Guard and waiver of licensing fees for returning service personnel who move to Florida.
Weatherford and Gaetz’s plans for higher education would include lowering the cap on annual increases under differential tuition from 15 percent to 6 percent.
The House speaker said the purpose of the proposal is to rein in the costs of prepaid tuition plans, which allow parents to lock in tuition and fees for their children to attend state colleges and universities. Because of the differential tuition law, approved in 2009, the plans have to assume that tuition rates will increase 15 percent every year.
The proposal “will dramatically reduce the cost of what is now an unaffordable and out-of-reach Florida prepaid plan for our citizens and for the middle class,” Weatherford said.
But it’s not clear if universities, many of which have chafed under Scott’s efforts to rein in tuition in recent years, will fight the proposal.
FLORIDA: RED STATE, BLUE STATE, OR GREEN STATE?
Meanwhile, after weeding through the minutiae of the English language, a narrowly divided Supreme Court ruled that it was high time voters got to decide whether medical marijuana would be allowed in Florida.
By a 4-3 margin, the court ruled that the summary of a constitutional amendment that voters will see at the polls isn’t deceptive, swatting away arguments from Attorney General Pam Bondi and legislative leaders that the proposal is actually far broader than the summary lets on.
“We conclude that the ballot title and summary fairly inform voters of the chief purpose of the amendment and will not mislead voters, who will be able to cast an intelligent and informed ballot as to whether they want a provision in the state constitution authorizing the medical use of marijuana, as determined by a licensed Florida physician, under Florida law,” the majority wrote in a joint opinion.
In a dissent, Chief Justice Ricky Polston said the ruling “will result in Floridians voting on a constitutional amendment in disguise.” He said the amendment would allow a far wider use of pot than the ballot suggests.
“For example, despite what the title and summary convey to voters, minor aches and pains, stress, insomnia, or fear of an upcoming flight could qualify for the medical use of marijuana under the text of the amendment,” Polston wrote. “This is seriously misleading.”
The ruling means that the marijuana proposal will appear on the November ballot as Amendment No. 2. But it could also complicate efforts to pass a legislative measure to legalize a marijuana extract known as “Charlotte’s Web.”
Proponents of the treatment believe it can dramatically reduce seizures in children with a rare form of epilepsy.
Charlotte’s Web is an extract of the marijuana derivative cannabidiol, or CBD, but is low in the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The strain is oil-based, can be taken orally and doesn’t get users high, unlike the medical marijuana that would be authorized under the constitutional proposal.
Legislative authorization “is still our daughter’s and 125,000 other Floridians’ best chance at getting this life-changing medicine quickly,” said Peyton Moseley, whose 10-year-old adopted daughter RayAnn is one of an estimated 125,000 children in Florida diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome.
“Having the full-on legalization of medical marijuana on the ballot in November is fine and good, but if your child’s life depended on her gaining access to a certain kind of medicine, would you want to leave that decision in the hands of the voters?” Moseley said.
But the court’s decision to put the prescription pot question on the ballot could pose a conundrum for conservative lawmakers, already skeptical of the non-euphoric strain.
“I think after people analyze it they are going to kind of line up. They’ll either say there is a right way involving these derivatives and there’s a wrong way and contrast it with the amendment. Or they’ll say people are going to get this all mixed up and think I’m for (medical marijuana). … It depends how their district reads and how they want to be seen,” said House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott unveils the final pieces of his nearly $74.2 billion budget ahead of this year’s legislative session.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There’s this perception that there’s going to be unlimited money. It’s not like it’s going to be only a Rick Scott negative campaign against Charlie Crist and Charlie Crist is just going to have his name on the ballot. It’s going to be a conversation. It’s not going to be like Pepsi and Tab or Ford and the Malaysian Proton.”– Steve Schale, an adviser to Charlie Crist, on the 2014 governor’s race.
Northview Boys Beat Tate
February 1, 2014
The Northview varsity and junior varsity boys ending their regular seasons Friday night be defeating the Tate Aggies.
Northview 81 Tate 43
In varsity action, Northview downed Tate 81-43. Scoring for Northview were Neino Robinson 27, Cameron Newsome 16, Tony Mcaroy 11, Nick Lambert 9, Tydre Bradley 7, Eric Williams 6, Tanner Plant 3, and Dalton Tullis 2.
Next for the Chiefs is the District tournament beginning February 3 in Chipley.
Northview 62, Tate 57 (JV)
The junior varsity Chiefs finished the season at 5-5 with a 62-57 win over the JV Tate Aggies Friday night. Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Tony Harrison 17, Luke Ware 15, Montivas Odom 10, Bradley Van Pelt 11, Bethea 5, Dunsford 2, Sampson 2.
Blue Angels ‘Rock N Fly’ 5K Planned
February 1, 2014
The first ever Blue Angels Rock N Fly Half Marathon and 5K (3.1 miles) will be March 29 aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, and it promises to bring out the hidden rocker in everyone.
Both races will start at 8 a.m. and the courses will be entirely on NAS Pensacola, home of the Blue Angels and one of the most historical and scenic Navy bases in the country.
All proceeds from the event will go towards the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, which provides financial support to Sailors and Marines, and the 2014 Pensacola Area Navy Ball.
The Blue Angels Rock N Fly will not just be about running, but will also provide entertainment for spectators and runners throughout the entire event.
“The Rock N Fly Half Marathon and 5K is not just a race, but an event with live music and contests,” said Cmdr. Mike Kohler, director of Health Benefits, Naval Hospital Pensacola, and the race director. “The race is also an opportunity for our community to come out and enjoy NAS Pensacola while supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, dress up as a rock star if they like and listen to some great music. It should be fun for everyone.”
While there will be awards for top finishers in different age groups, the Blue Angels Rock N Fly is more about having fun than competition. Runners will hear a cornucopia of music throughout the courses from classic rock to modern pop to keep them motivated. After the half marathon, runners and spectators will be entertained with performances by local Pensacola bands on the main stage. There will also be a mullet and best dressed rocker contest, but please keep spandex to a minimum because this is a family event.
Registration cost for the half marathon is $65 by March 16 and $32 for the 5k if also done by March 16. Everyone that registers will receive a poster and t-shirt and all half marathon finishers will receive a medal. For more information or to register, please visit www.runrocknfly.com.
Weather: Back To The 60’s, 70’s And Some Rain
January 31, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Schools Open Friday
January 31, 2014
Escambia County (FL) and Santa Rosa County schools have announced that they will be open on Friday.
All schools and bus routes will operate on their regular schedules.
In Escambia County, extra-curricular activities may resume after 3:00 p.m., Thursday.
A National Junior Honor Society Induction planned for Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School will be rescheduled. A Northview High School band fundraising event planned for Thursnight at Century’s What-A-Burger restaurant has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a future date.
The “38th Annual Sandy Sansing Spelling Bee” has been canceled for Thursday night and will be rescheduled at a date/time to be announced later.
Thanks For Turning To NorthEscambia.com For Winter Weather Info
January 31, 2014
Thank you for turning to NorthEscambia.com for our coverage of our once in a lifetime ice storm coverage this week.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were among our highest traffic days ever, with 6.2 million page views over just a portion of the three day period. Plus thousands upon thousands of Facebook views. It was amazing to see the area turn to NorthEscambia.com for the latest updates 24 hours a day.
When we asked for your winter weather photos, you responded. We published several hundred photos of the thousand or two we received. The photos became a valuable tool for officials to quickly see what kind of weather was being experienced in our communities.
Social media, our Facebook page in particular, became a place for the community to come together and share — from road and bridge info to those all important pictures of our little ice man/snowman creations.
Don’t forget to “Like” our Facebook page (click here). Sometimes we publish news and info on our Facebook page that never appears on NorthEscambia.com, and sometimes we first publish breaking news there until we have enough details for a full story.
Hundreds asked questions about the closure of their school or business, and we did our very best to answer. Some questions went unanswered — we apologize that with our limited staff we were unable to respond to everyone.
And in the midst of our rare Florida ice storm came what could have been a major disaster is our own backyard — a large train derailment in McDavid. Minutes after first responders had surveyed the situation and determined what exactly was happening, we published the very first breaking news and continued to update the situation live into the evening and following morning until we knew our friends and neighbors in the area were safe.
Thanks again for being part of the NorthEscambia.com family.
Escambia Students Won’t Have To Make Up Missed Days; Santa Rosa Will
January 31, 2014
Escambia County public school students were out three days for this week’s winter storm, but they will not have to make up the days. Across the river in Santa Rosa County, students will have hour for hour makeup days, losing part of spring break.
“There was enough time built into the regular school year that we can afford for students to miss those three days,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said. But, he warned, if the school district misses any other days for emergencies this year, students may be required to make up the time.
In Santa Rosa County, two of the three days will be made up on March 14 and March 17, the first two days of spring break, with the third date to be determined later.
A decision was made Monday that students would be out Tuesday and Wednesday for the impending rare Florida ice storm. By Wednesday, it was apparent that there would be no school Thursday with inches of ice on the ground and lows forecast in the teens.
“It began to melt quickly once the sun came out,” Thomas said Thursday afternoon. “We knew then that we would be a go for Friday.”
Students in Escambia County, Ala., will also not be required to make up the missed winter emergency days.
Pictured top: Inches of ice still covered a closed Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill early Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Final Day To Save On Property, Tangible Property Taxes
January 31, 2014
Today is the final day to pay real estate and personal property taxes and receive a two percent discount, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
In order to receive the two percent discount, the payment must be:
- mailed with a postmark by January 31;
- left in a 24-hour drop box available at all offices by midnight January 31; or
- made on the tax collector website by midnight January 31.
Taxes can be paid online at www.escambiataxcollector.com. For more information, call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
Helen Joyce Boatwright
January 31, 2014
Helen Joyce Boatwright, 73, passed away January 30, 2014, at her home in Walnut Hill after battling an aggressive form of lung cancer.
She is survived by her daughter, Connie Ryals, son Danny Ward and his wife Debbie Ward, son Charles Ward and his wife Wendy Ward, daughter Joanne Boatwright, and daughter Sarah Cagle and her husband Phillip Cagle. She is survived by 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister Eunice Kleinatland, Buddy Smith, brother Billy Smith and his wife Faye Smith, brother Ronnie Smith and his wife Mary Jo Smith, and sister Judy Amos and her husband Robert Amos.
She is preceded in death by her father Arthur Smith and mother Nunie McGhee Smith, husband of 50 years Joe Boatwright, son Larry Ward, and grandson Justin Ward. She is also preceded in death by her brother Dudley Smith, sister Margaret Rigby, sister Zollie Mae Smith, and sister Inez and her husband Ike Holden.
Joyce enjoyed spending time with all of her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by everyone. Services will be held tSunday, February 2, 2014, at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home in Cantonment at 9 a.m.
Faith Chapel North Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29 S, Cantonment, is in charge of arrangements.
Photos: Yes, Even More Reader Ice, Snow Photos
January 31, 2014
NorthEscambia.com readers submitted literally hundreds of snow and ice storm pictures. We’ve included almost 500 of those photos in the galleries below.
- For a photo gallery of Thursday snow/ice storm photos, click here.
- For a photo gallery of more photos, click here.
- For a photo gallery of Wednesday snow/ice storm photos, click here.
- For more photos, click here
- For a photo gallery of Tuesday night ice storm and snow photos, click here.
- For photos from earlier Tuesday, click here
Picture this page: NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
