Ho-Hum Legislative Session Not Just About Governor’s Race
April 16, 2014
Tax breaks are in. Gambling? No dice. Lower tuition is OK, but alimony is a no-no.
Blame the GOP-dominated Legislature’s attempt to give Gov. Rick Scott a helping hand for what people are calling one of the most boring sessions in recent history.
But, while they are doing all they can to keep the governor in office, Republicans also have their eyes on a bigger prize — the presidential race two years from now.
“Absolutely it’s important. We want the governor re-elected but it’s clearly important for 2016. No question,” said Sen. John Thrasher, a St. Augustine Republican and former head of the Republican Party of Florida who is also chairman of Scott’s re-election effort.
Lawmakers recently put the kibosh on gambling legislation that was sure to split the Republican faithful. And, after Scott vetoed a similar effort last year, they opted to not even consider a prickly overhaul of the alimony system, putting the issue on hold for at least another year.
But they are angling to land on the incumbent Republican’s desk a cornucopia of items that appeal to Hispanics, gun owners, drivers, families footing the bill for university educations and anyone disgusted by revelations that sexual offenders let loose by the state preyed again on children.
The Legislature quickly passed a package of measures aimed at cracking down on child molesters, even after critics complained that the legislation fails to fully address the problem.
And lawmakers swiftly handed Scott one of his top priorities, a nearly $400 million rollback of vehicle registration fees increased during economic tough times in 2009, when Charlie Crist — Scott’s leading Democratic opponent — was governor.
With the May 2 end of the session fast approaching, the House and Senate are now wrangling over how to parcel out the remaining $100 million of the $500 million in election-year tax and fee cuts Scott made a top priority.
No election year on GOP turf would be complete without some National Rifle Association-backed legislation to pump up base voters. So Florida lawmakers are approving a suite of bills aimed at firing up gun owners. One measure would let gun owners who don’t have concealed-carry training pack heat during states of emergency. A “warning shot” proposal awaiting Scott’s signature would let people show guns and fire warning shots in self-defense.
Another gift to Scott — lower tuition for university students — is wrapped in a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition, a priority of House Speaker Will Weatherford. The House has already passed the bill, and Senate sponsor Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, says he has the votes for Senate approval once it makes it to the floor. The measure is viewed as an olive branch to Hispanic voters whom Scott alienated in his first bid for governor when he campaigned on bringing an Arizona-style immigration law to Florida. Scott further angered Hispanics when he vetoed a nearly universally-supported measure that would have let children of undocumented immigrants get temporary driver’s licenses.
“I think we’ve got a nice smooth session going on and that always helps. Everyone’s working together, the House, the Senate, the governor. I think it’s as much harmony here as I’ve seen during any session and that obviously should help him,” Latvala said.
Keeping the governor’s mansion, as well as the Florida House and Senate, in GOP hands is part of a longer-term strategy.
Florida, a critical swing state, helped President Obama get into the White House and stay there in the past two elections.
A Republican governor would help turn that around, Thrasher said.
“It makes a difference,” he said. “We’ve lost the last two elections in Florida. We need to win the next one in order to elect a Republican president.”
Thrasher said the 2016 election doesn’t put more pressure on Republicans to re-elect Scott, who remains unpopular, but “it clearly gives us some incentives to do that.”
Getting Scott re-elected could also help the GOP maintain a stronghold on legislative and congressional seats in 2016, especially in the state House, where about a dozen seats could now be up for grabs after new maps were drawn in 2012.
“It’s not just about the presidential. It’s about legislative. It’s about congressional. Anytime you have the governor in the mansion, that changes the dynamic for that party,” said lobbyist Nick Iarossi. “Where the Republicans have drastically outraised Democrats for the past decade, that could turn on a dime if Charlie Crist wins the governor’s mansion. That’s why everyone’s being cautious.”
But House Minority Leader Perry Thurston said Republicans are ignoring issues such as an expansion of Medicaid to lay the groundwork for the presidential race.
“For sure it’s positioning for 2016. They want it to appear that there are no problems here in Tallahassee, that everything’s moving along smoothly and they’ve got this $1.3 billion in surplus to try to camouflage to that effect. But there are a number of issues we’re not addressing. We need to address the issue of health care, which we believe is a crisis in this state. We need to fully vet the issue with DCF. They’re talking about new investigators but they’re not addressing the issue of the services. If you have more investigators, clearly there are going to be more cases and they’re going to need to place more children. They’re not addressing those placements and the services,” Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, said. “The governor’s race clearly is being done to set up how Florida will be a Republican governor-led state at the time of the (2016) election.”
But Steve Schale, a Democratic consultant who led Obama’s 2008 campaign effort in Florida and is advising Crist, said that it’s wrong-headed of Republicans to pin their presidential hopes on the governor’s race.
“I think it’s a very myopic view of the Tallahassee-centric world which doesn’t exist in the five blocks outside of Adams Street,” Schale said.
Obama won the Sunshine State twice with a Republican governor at the helm, Schale pointed out. And, Schale said, presidential elections are now so expensive and require such a large organization that, although a governor can help his or her party’s fund-raising efforts, state parties are relied on less and less to aid candidates.
“In a previous era you would have had to depend on party apparatus …because nobody could raise a billion dollars. But in this new world we live in, you don’t need a political apparatus in a presidential election. You don’t need it at all,” he said.
Obama won Florida by 3 percentage points in 2008, “arguably at the point at which our party was most inept,” Schale said.
“It may be materially important for some political leaders and some political consultants but it’s not in terms of the outcome of the election,” he said.
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Rep. Clay Ingram: Session Break
April 16, 2014
submitted by Rep. Clay Ingram
It’s great to be home this week for a much needed break from Session. We’ve accomplished a great deal of work so far for hard working Floridians.
Last week the House passed HB 697, a bill I sponsored that expands the list of Schedule 1 synthetic drugs. This bill will now go to the Senate for their approval. I will continue to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi on keeping these dangerous drugs away from our children.
Last week the House passed bills expanding educational choice in Florida and also forbidding the collection of certain personal student data that would have violated student privacy rights. The House also passed a bill that would create new penalties for people who harm an unborn baby while committing a crime. These common sense, conservative measures will make Florida an even better place to live.
The Legislature will be off this week as we celebrate Passover and Easter with our families. I look forward to this time to see family and friends before heading back to finish the final two weeks of Session.
Long Abandoned Jay Livestock Market Could See New Life
April 16, 2014
The long abandoned Jay Livestock Market could have a future purpose, but exactly what that purpose might be remains to be seen. The livestock market, located on Commerce Street and Coleman Avenue, open in Jay in 1940 and closed around the end of the century.
The West Florida Regional Planning Council held a community meeting Tuesday evening for the public to learn more about the site and participate in the visioning process for the potential revitalization of the market site.
Ideas for the old facility have ranged from tearing it down to reopening it, opening a farmer’s market, antique market and events space, and using the main barn as a space for the FFA and 4-H.
Work is underway to establish a non-profit to head up the revitalization process…with any work to be approved by the Town of Jay and the State of Florida
Pictured: They closed Jay Livestock Market. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ashcraft, Bratt Road Intersection To Close
April 16, 2014
The intersection of Ashcraft Road at Bratt Road will be closed beginning Wednesday at 6 p.m., through Thursday at 4:30 p.m. due to a crossover pipe replacement. The intersection is located at the southeast corner of the Travis Nelson Park, just south of Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com photo by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Man Sentenced To 330 Years For Child Sex Abuse
April 16, 2014
A Santa Rosa County man was sentenced to 330 year is prison Tuesday for the sexual abuse of three young girls.
Circuit Judge John L. Miller handed down the 330 year sentence to Donzell Kevin Nuckles after his February conviction on 10 counts of sexual battery upon a child by a person in familial or custodial authority and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation for crimes he committed against the girls when he and his family lived in Pace.
Between February 2011 and October 2012, Nuckles, 40, committed various sexual offenses against his three victims, who ranged in age from 12 to 17 years old at the time the crimes were committed. The abuse was reported to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in November 2012 and was investigated by Dectective Larry Tynes.
All three victims testified during the trial about the abuse they suffered.
As a result of the sexual abuse, one of the girls became pregnant and gave birth to the defendant’s child. DNA evidence introduced at trial revealed that Nuckles was the father of that child.
Sybil Bowers Warren
April 16, 2014
Sybil Bowers Warren, of Cantonment, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Pensacola.
She was born on September 29, 1923 in Samson, Alabama, to the late Homer Monroe Bowers, Sr. and Annie Bedsole Bowers. Sybil retired from Civil Service where she was a keypunch operator. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.
Left to cherish her memory is her son, Johnny Malone of Madison, Mississippi and his wife, Carmen; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren: two great-great grandchildren and a sister, Lucy Robbins, DeFuniak Springs.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 18, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home until services at 12:30 p.m.
Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Lamar Brooks
April 16, 2014
Lamar Brooks, 80, of Cantonment, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2014. He was born in Langdale, AL. He resided locally for the past 55 years and in 1985, he retired from Monsanto after 30 years of dedicated service. Lamar is a veteran of the US Army.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry P. and Pauline Brooks of Valley, AL; brothers, Tom, JT and Gene Brooks; and sisters, Dorothy Ritchie and Sara Norred.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Kay; son, Rick; sister, Estelle Laney; numerous nieces, nephews; great nieces and great nephews. He was affectionately known by his nieces and nephews as “Uncle Buck” and “Uncle Mar” and will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 14, 2014, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Reverend John Webb officiating.
Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Special thanks are extended to the nurses and staff of Covenant Hospice and the ICU staff of West Florida Hospital for the care provided to Lamar.
Flowers are accepted or if you wish, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice in memory of Lamar Brooks.
Wahoos Beat Biscuits 7-4
April 16, 2014
On a chilly night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, the Wahoos defeated the Biscuits 7-4 in the second game of the series. The Wahoos (7-5) used a four-run inning in the third to break the game open. The Biscuits (6-6) mounted a comeback scoring three runs in the eighth inning, but eventually fell short.
RHP Daniel Corcino (1-2) started the contest for the Wahoos and went 6.0 innings, giving up just one R/ER and two hits. Corcino worked out of a first-inning bases loaded jam and gave up just one hit in his final 5.0 innings of work, at one point retiring 13 of 14 batters he faced. RHP Drew Hayes walked two, but shut down the Biscuits in the ninth on the way to earning his third save of the year.
The Wahoos exploded offensively; their four-run third inning was a season-high for runs scored in an inning. First baseman Steve Selsky led the way with a 3-for-5 game with two runs scored and an RBI. Bryan Anderson, Juan Silverio, Devin Lohman and Juan Duran all drove in runs Tuesday night for the Wahoos. Center fielder Bryson Smith had his second multi-hit game of the season going 3-for-5 with three singles.
RHP Dylan Floro (0-1) was chased from the mound after 4.1 innings; Floro gave up 11 hits and 7 R/ER while walking two and striking out four. LHP Braulio Lara had a successful night giving up no runs in 2.2 innings of work while striking out four.
Third baseman Richie Shaffer went 2-for-5 on the night with a triple and an RBI, but just missed out on a game-tying three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. Designated hitter Curt Casali went 1-for-1 with a double and four walks.
The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code Wahoos and receive 50% off your entire order Wednesday at PapaJohns.com. The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (1-0, 3.86) to the mound for the third game of the series on Wednesday where he’ll be opposed by RHP Jared Mortensen (1-0, 4.26).
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Montgomery Biscuits 7-4 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Tuesday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
by Tommy Thrall
Marc Mitchell Doerr
April 16, 2014
Marc Mitchell Doerr, 57 of Pensacola, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2014, at the Life Care Center at West Florida Hospital surrounded by family and friends. He will be missed and always in our hearts. He loved life, his family, and his friends.
He left this world to join his mom and dad, Arthur H. and Audrey Dale Doerr in Heaven.
He is survived by the joy of his life, wife Margaret Bryan Doerr of Pensacola, formerly of Jay; stepson, Michael Shawn Gusick and his partner in crime, Skittles, his much loved and spoiled dog.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 18, 2014, from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m.
Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel United Methodist.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Cancer Center of Pensacola or A.S.P.C.A. of your choice.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marc,
You were my heart and soul. You will always be with me guiding me through life. I will see you again, I can promise you that.
Your wife Beep!
Delores K. Swain
April 16, 2014
Delores Kay Benner Swain, 67, died April 15, 2014. Even though Delores’s life on this earth has ended, her eternal life with her Heavenly Father has just begun. She was an inspiration and blessing to all whose lives she touched in her courageous journey of battling cancer for more than 12 years. Her love of life was contagious in the way she enjoyed every day to its fullest.
Delores was born in Springfield, Illinois on January 19, 1947. She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Henry Benner and her mother, Korsie Leona Benner.
She is survived by her devoted husband and the love of her life, Roger L. Swain; daughters, Stephanie K. Harris (Nick) and Veronica S. Kings, who are her greatest contribution in life; four grandsons, Zachary Harris, Stephen Harris, Daniel Kings, Adam Kings; her beloved pets, Harry and Pepe’; and numerous friends.
Delores worked for Southern Bell Telephone prior to accompanying her husband abroad during his career in the Navy. Upon returning to Pensacola she became District Manager for H&R Block. After moving to California for five years, she and Roger returned to Pensacola to be near their daughters. She worked briefly at Sandy Sansing BMW.
She was a faithful member of Corry Station Chapel for many years.
Her infectious smile, positive attitude, fun-loving personality, inner beauty and gift for loving will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a much-loved Christian wife, mother, “Grammie” and friend. Her example of faith and grace in times of medical stress were truly a gift for those in her presence. She shared her testimony of faith with everyone she met. She especially touched the lives of those also battling cancer by providing encouragement.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Reverend Bill Flannigan officiating.
Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Steven DeCesare and Dr. Dany ElSayah for their many years of compassionate and devoted care, and for whom we are forever grateful. Also special thanks to the doctors and staff of Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola, FL, Covenant Hospice, Pensacola, FL and MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.