Florida House, Senate Differ On Gambling Tracks
March 27, 2015
House and Senate leaders are taking divergent approaches to the perennially thorny issue of gambling, with the House vetting a soup-to-nuts gaming measure Thursday even as the Senate pursues negotiations with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
House Regulatory Affairs Chairman Jose Felix Diaz’s comments at the introduction of a four-hour workshop on gambling might have foreshadowed the future of a sweeping proposal released by House Majority Leader Dana Young the day before the legislative session began earlier this month.
“Welcome to the most anticipated non-event of the year,” Diaz, R-Miami, quipped to a packed meeting room.
Young’s plan (HB 1233) would allow a maximum of two Las Vegas-style casinos to open in Miami-Dade or Broward counties and would effectively do away with a 20-year revenue-sharing agreement, called a compact, with the tribe. A portion of the deal with the Seminoles giving the tribe exclusive rights to operate banked card games such as blackjack is set to expire on July 31 unless the Legislature reauthorizes it or signs a new agreement.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Young — who previously characterized a gambling deal as “an enormous, gargantuan lift” — conceded it is uncertain whether the measure would come up for a vote at all.
“I don’t know yet,” Young, R-Tampa, said.
Meanwhile, Senate Regulated Industries Rob Bradley told The News Service of Florida that his talks with the Seminoles have intensified over the past week.
“We are negotiating right now with the Seminole Tribe. Those are ongoing negotiations. Whether they will be fruitful or not remains to be seen,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said.
The Senate is watching the progress of Young’s bill but has no plans to offer a similar package, according to Republican leaders in the Senate.
“The House has taken a very comprehensive approach. We understand that that’s the position of House leadership. If they are able to pass that bill in some form out of the House, then we will workshop it and take a very serious look at it. Meanwhile, we’re pursuing negotiations with the tribe,” Bradley said.
Echoing Young’s comments earlier this session, Senate GOP leaders this week indicated that passage of the House proposal in its current form would be a difficult task as the 60-day session nears the midway point.
“Trying to put a gaming bill up in committee was like throwing a side of beef into a shark tank,” Senate budget chief Tom Lee, a former Senate president who spent a decade in the Legislature before returning to the upper chamber in 2012, said of his experience with similar measures. “So good luck in the last three weeks of session trying to bring something in for a landing.”
Senate President Andy Gardiner was equally cryptic.
“Given the size of the gaming expansion that the House put out there, and it being the majority leader and everything…we sort of paused,” Gardiner, R-Orlando, told reporters on Tuesday. “If they really are going to push for extensive expansion, then the Senate will have to figure out what to do. Never say never.”
The future of the deal with the Seminole Tribe is a major looming question. Under the current agreement, the Seminoles agreed to pay the state a minimum of $1 billion over five years in exchange for exclusive rights to banked card games at five of its seven facilities throughout the state. The tribe’s payments to the state have thus far exceeded the minimum and are expected to increase under a complicated revenue-sharing formula inked in 2010.
The agreement requires the Seminoles to share with the state 12 percent to 25 percent of what is known as the “net win” on their earnings — essentially the difference between how much money they take in and how much they pay out to gamblers. The tribe shares a higher percentage of the net win if it increases, from a minimum of 12 percent on a net win of up to $2 billion to a maximum of 25 percent on a net win of $4.5 billion.
But Amy Baker, the Legislature’s chief economist, told the House panel on Thursday that analysts do not predict the state during the remaining life of the 20-year compact to ever receive more than the current share, which is a 15 percent share on revenues up to $3 billion.
Baker offered lawmakers a swath of options for a new deal with the tribe, including changing what is included in the net win; imposing new minimum payments for activities such as expansion of facilities; greater exclusivity for the tribe by allowing it to offer games such as roulette or craps; and changing the revenue-sharing formula by increasing minimum dollar thresholds.
“All of these would take renegotiating the compact. None of these could be done in a simple extension,” Baker noted.
Baker also said that lowering the tax rate on slots at pari-mutuel “racinos” in Miami-Dade and Broward counties — now set at 35 percent, and reduced to 25 percent in Young’s bill — would generate a recurring loss for the state.
The talks between the Senate and the Seminoles could allow Miami-Dade and Broward pari-mutuels, which have slots, to add blackjack, increase the tribe’s revenue-sharing amounts and give the Seminoles exclusive rights to roulette and craps, sources close to the negotiations said.
The cash from the Seminoles could be even more alluring in what was initially considered to be a rosy economic year but has since been overshadowed by uncertainty about health care funding.
Florida could lose up to $822 million over the next five years by not renewing the card deal, according to state economists’ projections. Lawmakers have not included card-deal funds in their budget proposals this year.
But that issue did not arise during the four-hour House workshop on Thursday, where the panel received a briefing on gaming law and heard from more than 30 speakers representing in- and out-of-state gambling operators, horse breeders, Las Vegas casinos, business groups, greyhound protection and industry advocates and anti-gambling Christian conservatives.
The Seminoles, whose lobbyists were present at the meeting, were not among those who addressed the panel Thursday. The tribe has taken to the airwaves in three television ads to pitch a renewal of the card portion of the compact, emphasizing that the Seminoles have exceeded their $1 billion commitment in the past five years.
“Leaders of the Seminole Tribe closely followed today’s workshop and felt the state did a fine job of sharing the value of the compact, which is not the subject of the three bills filed by Rep. Young. The Tribe is focused on the important task at hand, which is to work out a way to keep the table games provision of the compact from expiring in July,” Gary Bitner, the Seminoles’ spokesman, said in a statement.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Jay Tops Northview; Tate Wins In Kissimmee Klassic
March 27, 2015
Jay 4, Northview 4
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs 7-4 in a game that was called early due to rain. For the Lady Chiefs, it was the final game of the regular season before the district tournament that begins April 13 in Freeport. The Lady Royals (11-5) will host Holmes County Monday at 6 p.m.
Tate 10, Harmony 2
The Tate Lady Aggies topped the Harmony Longhorns 10-2 Thursday night in the first day of the Kissimmee Klassic. The Aggies scored at least one in every inning. Tori Perkins pitched the win, allowing five hits, two runs and striking out nine. Casey McCrackin 1-4, Savannah Rowell 1-4, Tori Perkins 2-4, Elizabeth Werdann 1-2, Lauren Brennan 1-2, Savannah Ullrich 1-3, Rachel Wright 1-4, Samantha Burks 1-3, Kristin Quina 1-1.
Pictured: Jay at Northview Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Downs NHS JV; Varsity Aggies Fall To Overton
March 27, 2015
Tate 6, Northview 1 (Freshmen/JV)
The freshmen Tate Aggies defeated the JV Northview Chiefs 6-1 Thursday night in Bratt. The JV Chiefs will travel to W.S. Neal Friday for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00. The freshmen Aggies will play at Milton Monday at 4:30.
Overton, TN 8, Tate 6
Overton, TN at Tate (JV) Canceled
Tate lost to Overton, TN, Thursday night in Cantonment 8-6. Branden Fryman 2-4, R, 2B, RBI; Cole Halfacre 2-4, 2 2B; Jacob Saulnier 2-3, 2 2B; Mark Miller 1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, Trace Penton 1-2
The JV Aggies will travel to Milton on Monday for a 7 p.m., while the varsity Aggies. The varsity Aggies are schedule for tournament play April 1-April 4 in Rock Hill, SC.
Pictured: Junior varsity action from Tate at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Most Of ‘Landmark’ Ernest Ward Middle School Now Gone
March 27, 2015
Demolition of the old Ernest Ward Middle School is almost compete. Thursday, crews demolished the former main entrance to the old Ernest Ward High School, including the landmark “Ernest Ward” script lettering over the door.
The building had stood at the center of the Walnut Hill community since 1945, replacing a campus ravaged by fire in 1943. That old school had been constructed to replace an Ernest Ward School that first opened in a log cabin in 1896.
The remainder of the old school is expected to be demolished by Friday afternoon, with work next week to haul off the debris. Most of the area will become a parking lot. Students moved into their new $20 million state of the art Ernest Ward Middle School, located behind the old school, the first week of February.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Sports Group Could Face Overhaul, Elimination
March 27, 2015
A measure overhauling the Florida High School Athletic Association — and opening the door to the group possibly being replaced in two years — was approved Thursday by the House Education Committee on a nearly party-line vote.
Members of the panel voted to move the measure (PCB EDC 15-02) ahead on a 12-5 vote, with Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, joining Republicans in support. Democrats said they were worried about some provisions in the bill, including one that would allow the education commissioner to designate another organization to oversee high-school sports in 2017.
Some also worried that parts of the proposal could open the door to more recruiting of students to switch high schools, though that is technically illegal and would remain so under the bill.
The legislation comes amid years of tension between some lawmakers, particularly in the House, and the association. The FHSAA doesn’t support the proposal, but representatives said the association backs most of the provisions outside of the one that could lead to it being replaced.
“It’s long past the time to limit the power of a very large, protectionist organization and place our priorities with the students,” said Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City. “I only wish it had happened of the association’s own volition, and not (because FHSAA) had to be forced to change.”
A similar Senate measure (SB 1480) hasn’t yet been scheduled for a hearing.
The House proposal would overhaul the organization’s governance, setting up a 16-member board to oversee the association. It would also require a third-party review for students suspected of being ineligible and allow students to continue to play while their eligibility is reviewed, though games could be forfeited if the student is later ruled ineligible.
High schools would also be allowed to join FHSAA for some sports, but not in others — particularly football.
But much of the opposition is driven by the provision requiring the education commissioner, with the backing of the State Board of Education, to make a decision in 2017 on whether to keep the association or replace it. The bill also would set up a review of the organization every three years.
The commissioner could technically replace the association under current law, but there is no requirement for a review to be done regularly or by a certain date.
“We think that that is rather arbitrary and that, as a representative democracy, which this association is, if it’s truly violating people’s rights and not looking out for the best interests of our athletes, then FHSAA should be removed,” said Juhan Mixon, representing the association. “But we think that that should come back to this Legislature, and not be put in the legislation at this time.”
Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura, said the vagueness of the process lacked transparency.
“At a minimum, we ought to be saying what the criteria are, what these people need to do,” Geller said.
But Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., a Hialeah Republican offering the proposal, said the provision would actually give the association a “two-year buffer” to make necessary changes.
“At the end of the day, I do believe that they are in the strongest position, that they have the experience and they will continue to do this,” Diaz told reporters after the hearing.
Stuart Weiss, president of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, said the FHSAA had changed in recent years precisely because of the threat of legislation. Schools in Weiss’ organization play football separately from the association, but still have to be members and have to honor the association’s rules.
“You can’t give a quasi-monopoly to an organization, not oversee (it) and see what they do,” Weiss said.
Former Escambia Coach Willie Spears Named As 1A Vernon Coach
March 27, 2015
The District 2 Class 1A Vernon Yellow Jackets have a new head football coach — Willie Spears, former Escambia High School head coach.
The Northview Chiefs’ dreams of a second state championship were stopped cold in round one of the playoffs last November in Vernon. The Yellow Jackets beat the Chiefs 36-19 in the Region 1-1A football semifinal.
The Chiefs are in District 1, Class 1A with Baker and Jay. Vernon is in District 2 with Cottondale, Graceville, Holmes County, Sneads and Wewahitchka. In the state playoff series, the two districts meet in a regional semifinal game.
Rain Likely Today, Colder Weather Coming
March 26, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Thursday
A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday
Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
On A Quest For A Freshwater Giant: Alligator Gar On The Escambia River
March 26, 2015
The quest is on to find one of Florida’s most mysterious fish with a prehistoric look in the Escambia River.
Finding alligator gar can be a challenge, but it’s one biologists with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute are taking on to learn more about the population of the fish in Florida.
Alligator gar have historically resided in rivers and brackish waters throughout the southeastern U.S. from the Florida Panhandle – from the Apalachicola River west to the Perdido River – to Texas and Mexico. Since the mid-1900s, alligator gar numbers have declined, leaving populations in only half of the 14 states they once inhabited. The FWC acknowledged this in 2006, prohibiting harvest of alligator gar for all but scientific purposes.
Since 2010, FWRI researchers have been tagging alligator gar in the Escambia River to learn more about their movement and habitat use. Using large-mesh gill nets, researchers collect adult alligator gar and fit them with telemetry tags before releasing them back into the river. These tags transmit information through radio and sound signals, allowing researchers to track each individual’s location for about two years.
Three years into the study, researchers have tagged 22 alligator gar ranging from 11 pounds to a state record 132 pounds; tagged fish average 60 pounds. Researchers are trying to identify what habitats these fish prefer, how far they travel and whether they return to the same location over time. Preliminary tracking data indicate alligator gar are highly mobile and can travel more than 40 miles in a single week.
The data also reveal their movement and habitat use varies by season. In winter, the tagged fish tend to reside in a slough – a cove off the main river with no current – and move very little. As the season changes to spring, they begin traveling the river’s main channel but return repeatedly to the slough. Only in late spring did the gar venture from their home-base slough and begin cruising. Biologists recorded alligator gar moving as far north as Century and the Alabama state line and as far south as Escambia Bay during this time.
No population data for alligator gar in Florida currently exists. However, data from this tagging study are helping biologists develop a strategy for estimating the population size of alligator gar, first in the Escambia River, then possibly in other rivers in northwest Florida’s coastal plain.
Pictured: Alligator gar research on the Escambia River. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Considers Rezoning For Nine Schools
March 26, 2015
The Santa Rosa County School Board is set to consider the rezoning of nine schools at their April 23 meeting.
The schools set for rezoning are: Avalan Middle, Bennett Russell Elementary, Chumuckla Elementary, Central School, Dixon Primary and Intermediate, Pace High, Pea Ridge Elementary and Sims Middle.
For more information, including rezoning maps for each school, click here.
Billings Murder Getaway Driver Gonzalez, Sr. Denied Early Release
March 26, 2015
Early release from prison has been denied Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Sr., who was convicted in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings and then sentenced to 17½ years. He will be required to serve the remainder of his sentence.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Gonzalez, Sr. has a terminal illness and has less than one year to live. He is now in a wheelchair and needs assistance to complete ordinary daily activities.
The State Attorney’s Office opposed the request.
In total, eight people were convicted for planning and participating in the Beulah murders, including Gonzalez, Sr.’s son Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. An Escambia County Jury convicted Gonzalez, Jr. to two counts of first degree murder and one count of home invasion robbery with a firearm. Gonzalez, Jr. received two death penalties and a life sentence and remains on Florida’s death row.
The special needs children that were at home during the July 9, 2009, murder of their adoptive parents have been adopted by the Billings’ older daughter Ashley Markham.