House And Senate Pass Budgets, Get Ready For Talks
April 4, 2014
The House and Senate approved plans Thursday to spend about $75 billion in the budget year that begins July 1, setting up negotiations between the two sides over how much to devote to priorities ranging from education to child welfare to the environment.
Despite squabbling on both sides of the Capitol about elements of each proposal, the measures passed by lopsided margins. The House approved its $75.3 billion blueprint on a 100-16 vote, with most Democrats joining the Republican majority in voting for the bill. The Senate followed that up by almost unanimously passing its $74.9 billion budget, though the vote briefly caused murmuring about one supporter.
Leaders in both chambers said they should be able reach agreements on allocations — overall spending caps for broad areas of the budget — in the coming days and start scheduling meetings of joint House-Senate negotiation committees.
“The differences aren’t as extraordinary as they have been in some years, so I don’t think we should have much difficulty getting to allocations relatively quickly,” said House Appropriations Chairman Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland.
“My hope is that by the end of next week, we can actually get started on conference committees,” said Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
In the House, most of the drama had long ago drained out of the debate over the plan. Rank-and-file Democrats lined up behind the budget — which increased funding for schools, child welfare and services for people with disabilities — even as their caucus leaders blasted it.
Republicans were quick to drive home the point.
“How can you not vote for a budget that takes care of our kids, our seniors and our disabled?” asked Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples.
But Democratic leaders said the budget didn’t go far enough because, among other things, it leaves out raises for state employees and relies on a windfall from local property taxes to help boost school funding to levels that still fall short of the all-time high for per-student spending.
“Clearly, this budget misses the mark and it has abandoned Florida’s middle class,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
In the Senate, where budget votes in good times are often broadly bipartisan, there was even less resistance to the overall plan. But provisions that could lay the groundwork for splitting up a joint College of Engineering operated by Florida A&M University and Florida State University led to an emotional plea by supporters of FAMU to leave the school as is.
The Senate budget already included $10 million for FSU to begin the planning and construction of an on-campus, stand-alone engineering school. An amendment authored by Sen. John Thrasher — a St. Augustine Republican widely believed to be a front-runner to become FSU’s next president — also put $3 million in operating funds behind the idea.
But African-American lawmakers said the proposal raised memories of a painful time when the law school at historically black Florida A&M was shuttered in favor of a similar school at FSU.
“The fear of the (alumni) of Florida A&M University and many others in this state, particularly those of color, is that this is the beginning of the end of our institution,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, one of the last graduates of the original FAMU law school. ” … I want to know that the lights won’t be dimmed and the door closed on the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.”
Thrasher, who helped reopen the FAMU law school in 2000, said he hoped the proposal would strengthen FAMU’s program, in part by getting rid of a requirement that students at the school meet the same admissions requirements.
“If I thought for one second that this was not going to enhance the Florida A&M University engineering school, I wouldn’t do it,” he said.
The amendment was approved on a voice vote.
The Senate also eliminated a proposal to cut $3.5 million from state colleges’ four-year degree programs and funnel the money into state universities.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, had pushed the provision because of concerns that state colleges, which are supposed to focus on two-year degrees, were beginning to duplicate the offerings of state universities.
But college presidents struck a deal with Negron to have the funding restored. In return, no new four-year programs for state colleges will be approved before June 2015.
The initial 38-2 tally on the overall budget caused a ripple across social media when questions were raised about whether Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, who is running in a special election for a congressional seat in Southwest Florida, cast her own vote. Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, had a campaign event in the district shortly after her vote was cast.
Thrasher, who also chairs the Senate Rules Committee, later said on the floor that Benacquisto’s button was pushed by mistake. The Senate agreed to delete her original vote for the budget; Thrasher said she would submit a vote after the roll call to the secretary of the Senate, as lawmakers are allowed to do when they miss votes.
by Brandon Larrabee The News Service of Florida
Book Fair Continues At Molino Library, Anniversary Celebration On Saturday
April 4, 2014
A Book Fair will continue through Saturday at the Molino Branch Library.
The community is invited to attend this fun reading event that helps inspire children to become lifelong readers. The Book Fair offers specially priced books and educational products, including popular series, award-winning titles, new releases, adult bestsellers and other great reads from more than 100 publishers.
The Book Fair will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m Saturday.
On Saturday, from noon until 3 p.m., the Molino Branch Library will celebrate its first anniversary with a community event.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Aggies Beat Milton
April 4, 2014
The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Milton Thursday 12-2. The JF Aggies will be in action again Friday at 7:00 as they host Navarre at 7:00.
In varsity action Thursday, Tate beat Milton 6-3.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Come From Behind For 6-5 Opening Night Win
April 4, 2014
In front of a sellout crowd of 5,038, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Tennessee Smokies 6-5 Thursday on Opening Night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in Pensacola The Blue Wahoos (1-0) overcame a five-run deficit and scored two runs off a Brodie Greene single in the bottom of the 8th to take the lead for the first time. It was the second straight opening day win for the Blue Wahoos over the Smokies (0-1).
Cincinnati Reds RHP Mat Latos started for the Wahoos and went 4.0 IP and allowed 5 R/3 ER on 7 hits including a home run. The right-hander had 3 walks and struck out 3 in his rehab stint.
“My ego is a little bruised,” said Latos. “It is what it is. I feel great. The body of the knee feels good, the elbow feels good. That was the main concern, the elbow.”
RHP Carlos Contreras pitched strong in relief with 3.0 IP allowing no runs with 6 strikeouts. RHP Drew Hayes slammed the door on Tennessee with a perfect 9th inning to close the game out and earn his first save of the year.
Second baseman Brodie Greene went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. Third baseman Juan Silverio went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and scored the typing run in the bottom of the 8th. Reds rehabber Devin Mesoraco had a sacrifice fly for an RBI, as well.
Smokies’ RHP Dae-Eun Rhee pitched 4.0 IP and gave up 3 R/2 ER with 5 walks and 4 punch outs. RHP Tony Zych pitched 1 IP and earned the loss giving up 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th.
Kris Bryant went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Center fielder Zeke DeVoss had a triple and an RBI during his 2-for-5 performance.
The Wahoos and Smokies square off again tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. for game two of their five-game series to start the season. Reds’ relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton is likely to go one inning to start the game tomorrow. RHP Daniel Corcino will follow behind the rehab stint. The Smokies will counter with top pitching prospect RHP C.J. Edwards.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos win 6-5 vs. the Tennessee Smokies. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seize $123,000 In Cash, A Kilo Of Cocaine
April 4, 2014
One man was arrested after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized over $120,000 in cash and a kilo of cocaine during a drug raid Thursday morning.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has stepped up to the plate and hit and home run,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.
The Narcotics Unit and SWAT team served a search warrant in the 4000 block of Marlane Drive about 6 a.m. Deputies said when they located and detained 39-year old Antonio Blackwell inside the residence, he had a white powdery substance on his arms and legs that field tested positive for cocaine. And cocaine was also found on a toilet seat and the floor around the toilet.
During a search of the kitchen Ziploc bags containing marijuana and cocaine were located, along with a razor blade with cocaine residue and a digital scale with cocaine residue. There was also cocaine located in the air conditioner filter vent in the home’s hallway.
Approximately $123,713 of U.S. currency was located throughout the residence, along with two weapons, deputies said.
Blackwell was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, trafficking cocaine (over 28 grams) destruction of evidence and possession of a weapon. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $35,000.
Pictured top: $123,713 in cash seized during a drug raid Thursday in Escambia County. Pictured below: Over a kilo of cocaine seized and (pictured bottom) one of two two handguns recovered. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Washout: Special Olympics Spring Games Are Canceled
April 4, 2014
Due to a chance of rain, the 18th Annual Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games scheduled for today at Tate High School have been canceled.
At the present time, the event has not been rescheduled.
The Special Olympic Spring Games were originally scheduled for March 14 but were rescheduled from that date due to rain.
Pictured: Track and field events during last year’s Special Olympics at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Abducted Crestview Boy Found Safe; Parents Arrested
April 3, 2014
The Crestview Police Department said Thursday afternoon that abducted child Emmanuel Menz has been found unharmed, and Karl R. Menz and Virginia M. Lynch have been arrested in Henderson, Nevada.
Menz was abducted in early March from the Burger King in Crestview during a supervised visit at that location.
Emmanuel’s father and mother, Karl R. Menz and Virginia M. Lynch, do not have custodial rights to Emmanuel, and the child was in foster care.
Man Shot Near Escambia Lounge
April 3, 2014
Just after 2:00 Thursday morning, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local hospital in reference to a gunshot victim who stated that he had been shot several times during an altercation in a parking lot near Genes Lounge on West Navy Boulevard.
The subject had what appeared to be gunshot wounds which were not considered life threatening, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The incident is under investigation at this time. Anyone having any information concerning this incident should contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Santa Rosa County Commissioner Jim Williamson Passes Away
April 3, 2014
Santa Rosa County Commissioner Jim Williamson passed away at his home with his family by his side late Wednesday night.
Williamson, 67, was a life-long resident of Santa Rosa County. First elected to the Santa Rosa County Board of Commission District 1 office in 1996, he was re-elected without opposition in 2000. Williamson was once again elected by the citizens of Santa Rosa County in 2008 and 2012 to represent District 1. Williamson served as vice chairman of the board in 1997-1998 and 2010-2012 and chairman in 1998-1999 and 2011-2012. He retired on April 1 due to declining health issues and to spend time with his family.
After graduating from Milton High School in 1964, Williamson played four years of professional baseball in the St. Louis Cardinal organization. He was a state certified electrical contractor and owned and operated his local business, Williamson Electrical Co., Inc. since 1976.
Prior to being elected county commissioner, Williamson was a member of the Milton City Council from 1977 to 1985. Throughout the years, he has been active in youth athletics as a parent, coach and sponsor, and won several awards including the God in Government Award and the Santa Rosa County Chamber Leader of the Year. A devout Christian, he and his wife, Paulette, are members of Immanuel Baptist Church. They have five sons, five daughters-in-law and are proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren.
During his tenure as a Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Williamson was known for his financial prudence and his vision for the future of Santa Rosa County.
Newly Paved, Crumbling Bratt Road To Be Fixed Under Warranty
April 3, 2014
Less than four months after it was paved, portions of Bratt Road are crumbling away.
The December project included dirt road paving and drainage improvements on Bratt Road from Pine Barren Road east about 1.25 miles to the existing paved roadway. The county road department provided pipe installation and grading, while a contractor was responsible for the paving.
An Escambia County official said the cold mix asphalt was likely used on a day that was too cold, causing it to be spread too thin in some spots.
The contractor, Roads Inc., will repair the roadway under warranty when the remainder of Bratt Road is paved in the coming weeks from Pine Barren Road to West Highway 4 at the Travis Nelson Park, according to District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry.
Pictured: Parts of the recently paved Bratt Road are beginning to crumble away. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
