Pro-Pot Group Gets $1 Million Boost In Legalized Marijuana Fight
October 2, 2016
Proponents of a constitutional amendment that would broadly legalize medical marijuana in Florida received a $1 million boost this week from a political committee focused on similar initiatives in other states.
The committee, New Approach, is tied to the family of the late philanthropist Peter Lewis, the former head of Progressive Insurance who died in 2013 and who bankrolled medical-marijuana proposals in Washington and Massachusetts. New Approach also was a major contributor to an Oregon initiative that legalized recreational marijuana in 2014.
It’s the largest single contribution received by supporters of Amendment 2 and comes as the battle over the constitutional question heats up in advance of the Nov. 8 election. As another sign of the growing battle, a powerful state senator and a former Florida Supreme Court justice appeared at a news conference Friday to oppose the ballot initiative.
“We are obviously very pleased to receive such a generous donation (from New Approach). It’s going to be put to good use very quickly, making sure that our message is on television across the state and that Floridians understand this is about putting medical decisions back in the hands of doctors and patients and out of the hands of politicians,” said Ben Pollara, campaign manager of People United for Medical Marijuana, also known as United for Care.
Pollara is hoping to parlay the contribution from New Approach into more financial support.
“It’s going to be a big acknowledgment to our existing donor base of 8,000 people that we’re almost to the finish line and we’re getting substantial support. I think it will be a huge boon for our fundraising,” Pollara said Friday.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan and his law firm have been the major financial backers of Amendment 2, which mirrors a similar proposal that voters narrowly rejected two years ago. So far this year, Morgan and his firm have contributed more than $2.6 million to People United for Medical Marijuana, which he also chairs.
Morgan is also paying for radio ads running statewide urging voters to support the amendment. Exactly how much he has spent on the ads has not yet been reported, and Morgan said he doesn’t know what the total will be.
“I’m spending a fortune right now,” Morgan said in a telephone interview Thursday evening. “I don’t know what the number will be until the month’s over. I’ve done a dangerous thing — I’ve given a blank check to the radio stations.”
This week’s contribution from New Approach came as the Drug Free Florida Committee — which played a key role in defeating the 2014 amendment — spent more than $1.8 million during the first three weeks of September to fight the initiative, with most of the money going to advertising.
Las Vegas casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson contributed $1 million this month to the Drug Free Florida Committee, which also received $800,000 in July from the Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust. The trust, associated with the daughter of Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins, also contributed $540,000 in 2014 to the Drug Free Florida Committee.
Tampa Bay developer Mel Sembler has also contributed $1 million this year to try to defeat the proposal. Developer Al Hoffman also contributed $25,000 to oppose the amendment.
On Friday, state Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who opposes the amendment, told reporters he was underwriting a television ad in the Tampa Bay area urging his constituents to vote “no” on the ballot proposal. Latvala, the incoming Senate appropriations chairman, appeared at a news conference in Tallahassee with former Florida Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Bell.
Latvala, who estimated the cost of the ad at about $100,000, acknowledged that recent polls have showed Florida voters overwhelmingly back legalizing medical marijuana.
“My position is probably upside down at this point,” he said.
Latvala two years ago opposed a measure that legalized non-euphoric medical marijuana for people with chronic muscle spasms, epilepsy or cancer. That law, which was expanded this year to include full-strength marijuana for terminally ill patients, was aimed at helping children with severe forms of epilepsy. Parents argued the low-THC treatment can dramatically reduce or eliminate life-threatening seizures.
“I have seen the effects that marijuana has on individuals,” Latvala said. “I’m a moderate on many issues. … But not on this one.”
Five weeks before the general election, Amendment 2 has received less attention than the marijuana issue got during the 2014 election season.
One of the highest-profile opponents of the 2014 measure — the Florida Sheriffs Association — has stayed on the sidelines thus far, opting not to take a position on the revamped proposal.
Two years ago, Morgan used a bus tour to promote the marijuana initiative to college students.
In one of many appearances across the state, the Orlando lawyer was caught on tape delivering a boozy, expletive-laced monologue to what appears to be a crowd of young supporters at a bar after a rally in the Lakeland area.
“I’ve decided that less of me is more. I want the focus to be on the issue, not on me,” Morgan said of this year’s campaign.
Cantonment Woman Cited After Serious Injury Crash
October 2, 2016
A Cantonment woman was cited by the Florida Highway Patrol for causing a wreck about 8 p.m. Saturday on Blue Angel Parkway at Saltillo Street in Escambia County.
According to the FHP, 36-year old Janet Orth of Cantonment was northbound on Blue Angel Parkway in a 2011 Kia Forte when she was distracted by “an internal distraction in the vehicle” and drifted into oncoming traffic. Her vehicle collided with a 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by 61-year old Nancy Thompson of Lillian. The Jeep overturned into the path of a 2016 Chrysler 200 driven by 26-year old Samantha Dyson of Cantonment.
Thompson and her passenger, 65-year old Richard Miller of Lillian, were trapped in the Jeep before be extricated by Escambia Fire Rescue. Thompson was transported to Baptist Hospital as a trauma alert, while Miller was transported to Baptist with minor injuries. Dyson was also transported to Baptist with minor injuries.
Orth received minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital. She was cited for failure to drive in the proper lane by the FHP.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Arrested For Making Bomb Threats
October 2, 2016
Multiple charges have been filed against an Escambia County man who made telephone bomb threats to local businesses in September.
Lamarte Bre Flynn, 21, was arrested late Friday night. He was charged with one count of threat to bomb/false report bomb explosive weapon mass destruction and three counts of threat to bomb/threaten discharge destructive device. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set at $20,000.
The phone calls were made to 911 between September 3 and 26. In addition to numerous law enforcement resources used to investigate the incidents, bomb K-9 units were deployed from Pensacola International Airport and from Eglin Air Force Base.
Wiggins Graduates From Auburn
October 2, 2016
John W. Wiggins graduated Cum Laude from Auburn University on August 6th, 2016 with a bachelor of chemical engineering and a minor in business and was also a graduate of the Auburn University Cooperative Education program.
John is a member of Theta Chi and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
He currently works for BP in Chicago. John is the son of Glen and Jean Wiggins of Walnut Hill.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Open For Business
October 2, 2016
Whenever a party becomes as dominant as the Republican Party has been in Tallahassee over the past two decades, divisions emerge. But there is one thing that largely unites the Florida GOP: friendliness (critics would say slavish devotion) to business interests.
There were signs of that this week, after state regulators said workers’ compensation insurance rates for businesses should jump by 14.5 percent. It didn’t take long for some Republicans to start calling for legislation in next year’s session that might ease the strain.
But there are also signs of a looming battle over another business-friendly priority of Gov. Rick Scott: incentives for companies to move to Florida. Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, has long been critical of those goodies, and his response this week was no different. In as many words, he said “no dice.”
COMP TIME
The double-digit rate increase for workers’ compensation insurance called for in an order by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation was actually down from a proposed 19.6 percent. But business groups said a 14.5 percent boost would hurt employers.
“Today’s workers’ compensation rate increase is a hard hit to small business owners and our economy,” Bill Herrle, executive director of the small-business group NFIB/Florida, said in a prepared statement. “While the (insurance) commissioner has done what was necessary in response to the Supreme Court undoing legislation that capped attorneys’ fees and maintained reasonable rates, our small business owners will be paying the price.”
Herrle was referring to the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling in a case known as Marvin Castellanos v. Next Door Company. In that case, the court ruled that a limit on attorneys’ fees was unconstitutional. An attorney in the Supreme Court case was awarded the equivalent of $1.53 an hour in successfully pursuing a claim for benefits for a worker injured in Miami.
Business groups have long argued that limiting attorneys’ fees is a critical part of holding down workers’ compensation insurance costs. But critics have contended that the state’s fee limits favored insurers and took away legal rights of injured workers, at least in part because workers would have a hard time finding legal representation in pursuing claims.
The 14.5 percent increase, slated to start taking effect Dec. 1, remains contingent on the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which makes rate filings for workers’ compensation insurers, coming up with a revised rate filing.
It didn’t take long for state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and a key Republican senator to say they expect lawmakers to take action during the 2017 legislative session.
Atwater, who has been heavily involved in insurance issues, warned Thursday that rates will continue to climb and eventually “will impact the recovery” if the Legislature doesn’t address the issue during the session.
“It’s just the opening act if not addressed,” Atwater said.
Also, Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, said Wednesday he anticipates “comprehensive” legislation about the workers’ compensation issue. Galvano was asked during a break-out session at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s “Future of Florida Forum” about whether the potential changes would be surgical or comprehensive.
“You can’t just go back in and undo what the court did, the court found something specifically unconstitutional,” Galvano said after the session.
While the 14.5 percent increase didn’t reach the requested 19.6 percent, Galvano said “it’s not something we can accept.”
But Mark Touby, president of the group Florida Workers’ Advocates, issued a statement arguing that insurers are responsible for the rate increase.
“(State Insurance Commissioner David) Altmaier has missed an exceptional opportunity to protect the interests of Florida’s business community and the hard-working men and women who drive our economy forward,” said Touby, an attorney who represents injured workers. “He could have rejected the insurance industry’s secretive ploy for corporate welfare to line its own pockets, all while falsely blaming a workers’ compensation rate hike on two court rulings that don’t actually make any rate change necessary.”
DISSED INCENTIVES
Scott this week renewed his pitch that Florida needs to set aside money for incentives to lure businesses. He called on lawmakers to provide $85 million for incentives in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
During the session that ended in March, the Legislature rejected a larger ask for $250 million, but the governor appears determined to push ahead.
After appearing at the Florida Chamber Foundation forum — held in Orlando alongside an Enterprise Florida board meeting — Scott said the incentive money is needed so Florida can compete for jobs against other states.
“We have to get a good return for taxpayers, but we have to be part of the game,” Scott said. “If we’re not, we’re not going to get the corporate office moves, the regional offices, things like that.”
But Corcoran, who has been harshly critical of the idea of business incentives, sounded like he was nowhere close to backing down.
“The House’s position on this issue has been clear,” Corcoran said in a prepared statement Thursday. “The government engaging in social engineering to pick winners and losers that benefit the 1 percent is a bad deal for Florida taxpayers. There will not be any corporate welfare in the House budget.”
The proposal got a warmer reception in the Senate, though spending for incentives has generally not been as hard a sell there as it is across the Capitol.
“If we’re going to have economic development, and all my polls that I take or see say that economic development jobs is still the number one thing on people’s minds, if we’re going to have economic development, if we’re going to have a jobs effort, we need to fund it,” said Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who is set to become the Senate Appropriations Chairman after the November elections.
During this year’s session, the Senate initially supported Scott’s $250 million request. But with the House opposed, the funding dissolved as the chambers hammered out a budget.
That resulted in Bill Johnson, who had lobbied lawmakers for the money, stepping down as president of Enterprise Florida and the agency being downsized. A vote on Johnson’s replacement was delayed Thursday to give Scott time to meet with both finalists. Scott chairs the Enterprise Florida board.
Scott was unable to meet Wednesday with the finalists — Michael Finney, a former adviser to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and Richard Biter, a retired Florida Department of Transportation assistant secretary — because of a schedule change related to receiving updates on Tropical Storm Matthew. Scott also left the Enterprise Florida board meeting Thursday morning for an update on the storm.
“We want to give him an opportunity to spend time with the candidates as well,” said Stan Connally, chairman of the Enterprise Florida President & CEO Search Committee.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Skirmishes began over business legislation for the 2017 session, with workers’ compensation and spending on incentives taking center stage.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’m spending a fortune right now. I don’t know what the number will be until the month’s over. I’ve done a dangerous thing — I’ve given a blank check to the radio stations.”—Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, on his spending in support of a constitutional amendment that would broadly legalize medical marijuana in Florida.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Northview Forfeits At Maplesville In 3rd: ‘It Was No Longer A Game’
October 1, 2016
The Northview Chiefs walked out in the third quarter and forfeited their game Friday night against Maplesville, AL, giving the Red Devils a 21-0 win.
“At that point, it was no longer a game,” said Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, who made the decision to end the game. “I’m sorry it happened, but it was no longer a safe environment.”
The Maplesville Red Devils are the defending Alabama 1A state champions and were 4-0 headed into Friday night’s game, outscoring opponents 211-14 this season.
Friday night, the Red Devils were only up 6-0 headed into halftime against the Northview Chiefs. They had increased their lead to 21-0 by the third quarter, when the game came to halt with 1:40 to go in the third.
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Northview Head Coach Derek Marshman was ejected after his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, prompting Weaver to enter the field and announce that her Chiefs were heading back to Florida.
“The officiating got out of hand,” she said. “They were trash talking, and they were not officiating. They were not providing a safe environment and it was a danger to our team, everyone on the sidelines and our fans. Someone could have been hurt badly.”
Weaver said Marshman was attempting to get an explanation for a penalty flag when he was ejected. Weaver said the head referee would not provide any explanation or talk to anyone from Northview. She said the game was the final game in a two-game contract between the two schools, a contract that will not be renewed.
Marshman had little say about the forfeiture following the game, instead choosing to focus on the positive efforts of his team and look ahead to next week.
“I apologize for my actions, but not the act. I am going to defend my players,” was his only comment about the situation.
Marshman praised his team for holding the number one 1A team in Alabama to just six points in the first quarter. “It was a whole team effort; they fought hard,” he said.
Next week, the Chiefs continue a three week road series against Liberty County
“They are a tough team, a 1A powerhouse,” Marshman said. “They have a good athletes; we are going to need to be prepared to get physical and run the ball.”
Look for a gallery of more photos by Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
A Perfect Weekend Forecast
October 1, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Open House Saturday At Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
October 1, 2016
The annual open house will be held Saturday at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through the center’s butterfly garden, hike trails into a bog, meet owls from the Wildlife Federation of Northwest Florida, peer through telescopes from with the Escambia Amateur Astronomy Association, meet the resident reptiles, and bid on artwork and other items in a silent auction.
The Roy Hyatt Environmental Center is at 1300 Tobias Road, Cantonment. The events and open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (850) 937-2117.
$438 Million: New Budget Year Begins Today For Escambia County And Century
October 1, 2016
It’s the first day of a the new budget year for both Escambia County and Century.
Escambia County
The fiscal year 2016-2017 budget for Escambia County is $434 million — $million higher than last year and up $78 million over 2013.
About one-fourth of the budget will go toward crime — $55.5 million to the Sheriff’s Office and $46.5 million to the county’s corrections department. Public Safety will receive $43 million, $26 million to public works, $25.4 million to human resources, $19.5 million to the landfill and solid waste, $19 million to Neighborhood and Human Services, and $12.7 million to ECAT.
Escambia County’s property tax, or millage rate, is unchanged 6.6165 The county fire tax increases from $100 to $125 to staff additional fire stations south of Nine Mile Road with paid personnel.
Century
Century has a $3.75 million budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 — down from a $5.1 million budget last year that included about $2.2 million in grant income and expenditures.
The ad valorem millage rate increased 0.9005 to 0.9732 for the new fiscal year, a 9.84%.
Tate Tops Washington 31-21
October 1, 2016
The Tate Aggies beat the Washington Wildcats Friday night 31-21 at Washington. With the win, the Aggies improved to 1-0 in the district, 5-1 overall.
After an unsuccessful field goal attempt, Tate took a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter when quarterback Jake Henry found senior Corey Moorer for a touchdown. In the second, Washington tied it up at 7-all with 8:00 on the clock.
Then, with 5:59 to go in the half, Tate took a 14-7 lead on a pass from Henry to junior Ladarryl Paige. After a Washington TD, the Aggies went on to add a field goal before the half, 17-14.
A Henry to Raymond Freeman pass with 4:53 in the third put Tate up 24-14. And Henry found Rodriguez Smith to go ahead 31-14 with 1:12 in the third.
The Tate Aggies will host the Pace Patriots next Friday night.
Look for a gallery of more photos by Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
