House Tax Cuts Face Downsizing In Senate
February 12, 2016
A wide-ranging, nearly $1 billion tax-cut package got strong House approval on Thursday.
But with the Senate budget chairman calling $1 billion in tax cuts “fiscally irresponsible,” the Senate will have a big say about what eventually lands on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk.
The $991.7 million House package (HB 7099) includes reducing a tax paid on commercial leases, permanently eliminating a tax on manufacturing equipment and holding several types of sales-tax “holidays” for consumers.
The cuts would be enacted over two years, with many causing one-time hits on state revenue. Lawmakers have a budget surplus for the coming fiscal year, but state economists recently reduced revenue projections by about $400 million.
House Finance & Tax Chairman Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican who has spearheaded the House package, said the measures will help boost Florida’s economy and he’s optimistic most of the proposals will get accepted by the Senate.
“The goal in the House is to return $1 billion to the people of Florida,” Gaetz said. “On the methodology, I’m eager to have a discussion … on how that can be done.”
The House voted 96-17 to approve the package, with a few Democrats saying they voted in favor because there are “good elements” in the proposal and that they anticipate the total cuts will be reduced during budget talks with the Senate.
“I do not believe there is one chance, one iota of a chance, that when we finish this process on day 60 (the final day of the legislative session), that there’s going to be a $1 billion tax cut,” said Rep. David Richardson, a Miami Beach Democrat who voted for the bill.
Scott has made $1 billion in tax cuts one of his top priorities this year. But the Senate, which remains apprehensive about making too many recurring, or permanent, cuts is using a $250 million figure as a starting point.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee said it would be “fiscally irresponsible” to consider tax cuts in the range of $1 billion or to force the hands of future lawmakers by approving recurring cuts.
“My biggest concern is the volume. That’s my biggest concern,” said Lee, a Brandon Republican who has asked for a meeting with Scott’s staff to discuss the cuts. “My second concern is the amount of recurring that we do, because I don’t think it’s sustainable.”
Lee added that any cuts would be need to return money to “the broadest number of Floridians possible, to return it to people that have been part of the tax base in this state currently and for generations past, and not worry — quite so much in the tax package portions of this — of trying to attract businesses.”
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said any cuts would have to be balanced with Scott’s other priority, a $250 million request for economic business incentives at the public-private Enterprise Florida, Inc.
“I want to give the governor as much flexibility as we can on EFI,” Gardiner said. “At some point all these things have to start coming together.”
The Senate has matched Scott’s incentives request, which also would revamp the process of awarding and handling incentive money.
The House has offered $80 million for the incentives, which is still an increase from the $43 million Enterprise Florida received for the current fiscal year.
House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Chairman Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, said Wednesday that the funding isn’t there to match Scott’s incentive request.
Meanwhile, the Senate has been slowly piecing together its tax package through individual member bills still in the committee process.
The House tax-cut package and the individual Senate bills do not include the largest part of Scott’s requested cuts — a permanent elimination of income taxes on manufacturing and retail businesses. The cut is projected as a $770 million recurring hit to state revenue.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Man Gets 10 Years On Drugs, Weapons Charges
February 12, 2016
An Escambia County man was sentenced t0 a decade behind bars, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins, on drugs and weapons charges.
Martin Oviedo was sentenced by Circuit Judge Thomas Dannheisser to 10 years in state prison with seven years as a minimum mandatory. Oviedo pled straight to the court to trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition and possession of marijuana.
Law enforcement took custody of several firearms which they later determined belonged to Oviedo. Further investigation revealed that Oviedo was staying at a local hotel and he was taken into custody. A search warrant was executed on the hotel room where methamphetamine, marijuana, and spice were located. A subsequent search of a related storage unit revealed ammunition that matched the caliber of weapons previously seized.
Wilson Robertson Boat Ramp Opens Honoring Longtime Public Servant
February 12, 2016
More than 50 local, regional and state representatives joined Escambia County in celebration of the new Wilson B. Robertson Boat and Canoe Launch ad at 11800 Mobile Highway Thursday. The special ceremony also recognized Vice Chairman and District 1 Commissioner Wilson B. Robertson for his years of service and dedication to Escambia County, including his years of service as District 5 commissioner.
The boat ramp area, which sits on a 4.8 acre parcel near the Perdido River, features two boat ramp launch lanes, an ADA compliant dock, a paddle craft launch, 31 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers and a covered picnic table. Funding sources for the project included a Natural Resource Damage Assessment grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Escambia County Local Option Sales Tax and vessel registration fees for a total of $2.65 million.
“Fishing and boating are just some of the many recreational activities that continue to serve as great outdoor experiences in Escambia County,” said Robertson. “This new facility provides opportunities for citizens and tourists of all ages to enjoy, and I am very grateful to all of the local, regional and state partners that helped bring this project into fruition.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Softball: Northview Chiefs Beat Central
February 12, 2016
The Northview Lady Chiefs rallied in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Central Jaguars 6-5 Thursday night in Bratt. The Chiefs and Jags were tied 3-3 at the end of six.
The Chiefs’ Tori Herrington had 13 strikeouts while going three for three at the plate. Aubree Love and Kendall Enfinger were two for three, while Laurie Purdy had the scoring base hit for Northview.
The Lady Chiefs will host the Jay Royals Friday. The JV plays at 4:00, the varsity at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Authorities Seek Missing, Endangered Man
February 12, 2016
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man classified as missing and endangered. He also has two outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Brad Matthews, 38, was last seen December 9 on Carl Booker Road in Milton. He is described as being five-foot nine inches tall, 130-140 pounds with sandy brown hair, possibly reddish facial hair and missing a front tooth.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.
Century Man Ticketed For Rear-Ending School Bus
February 12, 2016
A Century man was cited after rear-ending a school bus Thursday morning in the Beulah area.
Donal R. Edwards, 43. was traveling westbound on Helms Road near Wood Road when he rear-ended a school bus that was stopped with all stop-signs and lights on, according to the Florida Highway Patrol
Bus driver Julie Countrymann, 41, and the 25 passengeers on the bus were not injured. Edwards, who was also not injured, was ticketed for careless driving by the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Area Schools Receive NFL Golden Footballs To Honor Local Super Bowl Players
February 11, 2016
Three North Escambia area high schools — Tate, Northview and Escambia County (Atmore) — were surprised with golden footballs from the NFL to commemorate Super Bowl 50.
High schools across the country, and around the globe, were given a Wilson Golden Football for every player or head coach who graduated from the school and was on an active Super Bowl roster.
The NFL Foundation will also provide the schools with a new character education curriculum and the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help support and grow their football programs. The NFL Foundation has invested $1 million towards the campaign.
Super Bowl High School Honor Roll is an initiative developed by the NFL to recognize schools and communities that contributed to Super Bowl history and positively impacted the game of football.
The three North Escambia area schoold receiving the golden footballs and their Super Bowl connections were:
- Century/Northview — Anthony Pleasant, Super Bowl XXXVI (2002) and Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004), New England Patriots
- Tate High – Fred Robbins, Super Bowl XLII (2008), New York Giants; Graham Gano, Super Bowl 50 (2016), Carolina Panthers (Gano was not part of the golden ball distribution)
- Escambia County High School (Atmore) — Don McNeal, Super Bowls XVII (1983), XIX (1985), Miami Dolphins; Ron Middleton, Super Bowl XXVI (1992), Washington Redskins
Other Escambia and Santa Rosa County schools with connections to the Super Bowl are list below. Those taking part in Super Bowl 50 were not included in the football distribution (as it was planned before the game):
- Catholic — Josh Sitton, Super Bowl XLV (2011), Green Bay Packers
- Escambia — Emmitt Smith, Super Bowl XXVII (1993), Super Bowl XXVIII (1994), Super Bowl XXX (1996), Dallas Cowboys.
- Washington — Derrick Brooks, Super Bowl XXXVII (2003); Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Horace Jones, Super Bowl XI (1977), Oakland Raiders
- Woodham — Tyronne Green, Super Bowl 50 (2016), Carolina Panthers
- Gulf Breeze — Doug Baldwin, Super Bowl XLVIII (2014), Super Bowl XLIX (2015), Seattle Seahawks; Jason McKie, Super Bowl XLI (2007), Chicago Bears
- Milton — Lawrence Tynes, Super Bowl XLII (2008), New York Giants; Elijah Williams, Super Bowl XXXIII (1999), Atlanta Falcons; Courtland Finnegan, Super Bowl 50 (2016), Carolina Panthers.
Northview High School Principal Gayle Weaver said the school hopes to hold an assembly at a future date with Anthony Pleasant. Defensive end Pleasant, who was born in Century, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round fof the 1990 NFL Draft. He earned his Super Bowl rings in 2002 and 2004 with the New England Patriots. He graduated from Century High School n 1986, before Century and Ernest Ward High School were later consolidated into Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And 70 Today
February 11, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
NJROTC Annual Inspection Held (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2016
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Wednesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a Navy captain.
Captain Mark Truluck, Commanding Officer, Naval Aviation Schools Command, NAS Pensacola, conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The captain also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
Northview’s NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Charlie Code and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins. The unit is led by Company Commander Cadet LCDR Moriah McGahan, Executive Officer Cadet LT SJohn Reaves and Command Master Chief Cadent CMC Uriel Codrington.
For a photo gallery from the inspection, click here.
The follow cadets earned an Exemplary Personal Appearance award/ribbon at Wednesday’s inspection:
- Kris Baxter
- Haley Black
- Emily Brown
- Leona Courtney
- Crystal Douglas
- Jasmine Elliott
- Victoria Grammer
- Triston Long
- Hannah McGahan
- Wyatt Morris
- Audriene Odom
The following cadets were promoted in rank during the ceremony:
- Rebekah Amerson
- James Ates
- Kris Baxter
- Hayley Black
- Rheanna Black
- Alyssa Borelli
- Jacob Borelli
- Katie Cmehil
- Crystal Douglas
- Lawrence Douglas
- Jasmine Elliott
- Victoria Grammer
- Jacob Harrison
- Mya Henderson
- Maggie Lane
- Triston Long
- Sara McCreary
- Hannah McGahan
- Wyatt Morris
- Audriene Odom
- Orelblis Rodriguez
- Zachary Sheldon
- Kyle Smith
- James White
Pictured: Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Polar Run, Walk-A-Thon Set For Saturday At Tate High
February 11, 2016
The “Polar Run” is set for Saturday at Pete Gindl Stadium at Tate High School.
The event is a fun and fit activity for students and supporters, with all participants striving to achieve their personal best distance. Participants will set realistic lap goals based on age and development, while helping to meet a $1,000 donation to the Leukemia/ Lymphoma society by encouraging participants to get sponsors for the distance they believe they will walk or run. Registration will start at 9:30, and the laps will begin at 10:00.
There will be several other activities occurring during the Polar Run. Maverick, from the Ice Flyers, will be there at 10:00; the OneBlood Big Red Bus will be onsite so those interested can give blood to support community needs; those interested in fostering or adopting a new pet can visit with representatives from the Pensacola Humane Society who will be on site to answer questions and introduce some adorable animals in need of a forever home; and free blood pressure checks will be offered.
In addition, a silent auction will start at 10:30 a.m., with winners announced at noon. There will be games, food, music, and activities to enjoy as auction participants await results.
For a registration/sponsorship form, click here.