Lawmakers Weigh Incentives, Tax Cuts
January 7, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott wants $250 million to attract companies to Florida and hopes to convince lawmakers to support a series of business-friendly tax cuts that would permanently remove more than $1 billion from state revenue.
With the 60-day legislative session ready to start next week, the tax cuts may be reached — but not exactly how Scott would like.
Meanwhile, Scott continues to line up support from local leaders, economic-development groups and lawmakers — mostly House Republicans — to bolster his case that money for economic incentives should be dramatically increased. But not everyone in the Republican-dominated Legislature agrees, which is why Scott is also dangling several ways to reform the incentives process.
Among the critics of the incentives request is the conservative-advocacy group Americans for Prosperity-Florida, which calls it “corporate welfare handouts.” Democrats contend the state should consider other uses for the money, such as increasing funding for education and health care.
Senate leaders also clashed last year with Scott about economic incentives. Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said Scott has “done a good job of starting the debate” about revamping the incentives process, but the dollar request needs more review.
Incentives and tax cuts will be two heavily scrutinized issues during the legislative session that starts Jan. 12 and is scheduled to end March 11. Lawmakers enter the session with a budget surplus, but incentives and tax cuts will be part of the debate about how to carve up state money.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, said lawmakers might be able to meet the $1 billion tax-cut request, but the governor shouldn’t expect it to be fully in line with his proposal.
Also, while Scott’s office contends Florida can afford the tax cuts, state economists haven’t been as optimistic about the potential impact of such cuts on future revenue.
The concern is how much would come from permanent or “recurring” cuts that would impact future budgets.
Crisafulli said a desire to increase funding for public schools and universities will require long-term commitments that could be affected by reducing tax revenues.
“The recurring focus is something that we’re looking at, but we also recognize we also have other obligations that we have to fund, and those take recurring dollars as well,” Crisafulli said.
State economists have projected that about two-thirds of an estimated $635.4 million surplus for the upcoming 2016-2017 budget year will come from one-time, non-recurring money. They have also predicted that the surplus will drop to $583.7 million the following year and $222.2 million the year after that, due in part to the continuing cost of recent tax cuts supported by Scott and Republican lawmakers.
Scott has asked lawmakers to permanently eliminate income taxes on manufacturing and retail businesses, cut off a tax on manufacturing machinery that is set to return in 2017 and reduce a tax on commercial rent. Combined, that would eliminate $1.18 billion in future recurring revenue.
Scott has also proposed extending a sales-tax exemption on college textbooks and holding separate sales tax “holidays” on hurricane and back-to-school items, which combined would provide a one-time $118.8 million hit.
Critics point, in part, to the bulk of the tax cuts going to businesses. House Minority Leader Mark Pafford said any money considered surplus should first be used for the needs of Floridians, such as people on waiting lists for services.
“It’s an easy argument to make that the governor is basically handing cash away to his big corporate buddies and he’s literally stomping people into the ground who need it the most,” Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, said. “If you’re in the tea party and concerned about responsibility, the governor is not offering that.”
Supporters argue that past tax cuts have helped the state’s economy grow.
“We’re in a real economic sweet spot: We keep cutting taxes, and the economy keeps growing,” House Finance & Tax Chairman Matt Gaetz said after Scott appeared before Gaetz’s committee last month. “If we can continue to do that, we’ll have the resources to care for the vulnerable, to keep cutting taxes and to be the best state in the country to raise a family, to have a job and achieve the highest level of one’s opportunity.”
Scott has said his proposal is “100 percent tied to jobs.”
Cynthia Kelly, director of Scott’s Office of Policy & Budget, has said money is available for the cuts, writing in support of the governor’s request that “a more appropriate ’surplus’ ” is $1.6 billion. Kelly’s projection is based on the state being on track to bring in a record $29.8 billion in general revenue next year, including $1.3 billion in “new” revenue.
The incentives package might be a heavier lift than cutting taxes, which is why Scott’s funding request was accompanied by a series of changes to how incentives are approved and how the money is handled.
Scott wants the House speaker and Senate president to be able to sign off on economic-development deals that top $1 million, instead of waiting for the Joint Legislative Budget Commission’s approval, as is now required. Scott also has asked lawmakers to create a trust fund that would keep designated incentive money in the state treasury until companies reach job-creation goals.
Currently, money the state promises to businesses relocating to Florida or expanding in the state is placed into low-yield commercial escrow accounts. Payouts are made when promised new jobs and economic-development performance measures are met.
About $141 million is being held in escrow accounts, which has drawn questions from senators.
Gardiner has advised the governor’s office that he’s in support of changing the way the money for incentives is handled and said the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida needs to expand the industries targeted for relocation. But Gardiner said the overall funding request — a year ago Scott asked for $85 million and got $43 million — “remains to be seen.”
“I believe the argument that is going be put forth is that … when you create the jobs you lower the taxes, you expand the growth pattern of the state of Florida, and you have more revenue coming in,” Gardiner said. “We believe in that too, but we want to see how that all works. And we just want to make sure that when we leave here, we’re comfortable in the direction we’re going.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Special Needs Swing Installed At Showalter Park
January 7, 2016
The Town of Century Parks Department has installed a new swing for targeted for children with special needs at Showalter Park. The swing can also be used for young children. Pictured: Olivia Bush of Century enjoys the new special needs swing at Showalter Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Tonight, Saturday
January 7, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 68. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers between noon and 3pm. High near 70. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Trump Campaigns Next Week In Pensacola
January 7, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will stop in Pensacola next week, little more than two months before Florida’s presidential primaries.
Trump is slated to hold a campaign rally at 7 p.m. January 13 at the Pensacola Bay Center, according to a schedule released Wednesday. Florida’s primaries will be held March 15.
Free tickets are limited to two per person and are available here. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Pensacola Bay Center offers parking adjacent to the facility. Lots at the Pensacola Bay Center are $10 cash only on the day of the event. Special needs parking and entry is available via the Alcaniz Street entrance.
Important information from the Pensacola Bay Center is listed below:
Prohibited Items
Guests are asked to arrive early and travel light, as you may be subject to search, which includes metal detecting hand wands upon entry. For safety reasons, prohibited items include but are not limited to:
- Alcohol, drugs, illegal substances or any paraphernalia associated with drug use
- Audio/Video recorders, professional cameras, tripods
- Cans, bottles, coolers or other similar containers
- Fireworks
- Flags/Signs with poles
- Umbrellas
- Laser pens/pointers of any type
- Noisemakers such as air horns
- Outside food or drinks
- Oversized bags, backpacks, duffel bags or diaper bags
- Pepper spray/Mace
- Weapons of any type, including chains, knives, firearms and spiked jewelry Any other item deemed unacceptable by event/building management.
Parking
Pensacola Bay Center offers convenient parking adjacent to the facility. Lots at the Pensacola Bay Center are $10.00 CASH ONLY day of event. Special needs parking and entry is available via the Alcaniz Street entrance.
Pictured top: Donald Trump campaigns in Biloxi on January 3. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Talks Time And Goals; Special CRA Exploration Meeting Upcoming
January 7, 2016
The Century Town Council held a goal setting and time management workshop Wednesday, and next week they will hold a workshop to explore the benefits of a Community Redevelopment Agency.
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, any increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements. Additional ax incentive and redevelopment funds are available within a CRA.
There are currently eight other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
The Century Town Council will hold a special workshop at 5:30 p.m. January 14 to learn more about possibly forming a CRA at the Century Town Hall. The workshop is open to the public.
Wednesday afternoon, the council held a goal setting and time management workshop at the Century Business Center with Johnathan “Jet” Tisdale of the White Paper Marketing company. Three council members — Annie Savage, Ben Boutwell and Gary Riley — attended, along with Mayor Freddie McCall and several town staff members.
[Story updated 7am to reflect CRA meeting is January 14, not today.]
Pictured: The Century Town Council held a goal setting and time management workshop Wednesday afternoon at the Century Business Center on Pond Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Kathy Wilson Black
January 7, 2016
Mrs. Kathy Wilson Black, 49, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016, in Gainesville.
Mrs. Black was a native of Century, former long time resident of Byrneville, and a resident of Flomaton for the past 25 years. Mrs. Black was an avid animal lover, kind loving person, gardener; and she loved to hunt and the outdoors. She was member of the Byrneville Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her brother, James Michael Wilson; and sister, Teresa Marie Jordan.
She is survived by her parents, James and Barbara Wilson of Byrneville; one daughter, Jessica Ellen Gregg of Burlington, NJ; two sisters, Sharon Denise Odom of Century and Barbara Ellen Beck of Lake Mary; and two grandchildren, Payton Thomas and Brooklyn Smith.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Byrneville United Methodist with Bro. Jesse Bohannon officiating.
Burial will be at the Byrneville Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. until service time at the Byrneville United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Raybon Knowles, Bobby Holland, Robert Smith, Aaron Sutton, Dusty Carnley and Buster Nalls.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Evelyn P. Watts
January 7, 2016
Evelyn P. Watts, age 85 of Munson, passed away on January 5, 2016. She was a member of Whitfield Pentecostal Fellowship Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Evelyn loved the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Thomas Pierce and Martha Jane Blackmon; siblings, Mary, George, Johnnie, Clyde, Ruth, Rubin, Lillie and twin brother, Melvin.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Clarence Eugene Watts; children, Larry (Dorothy) Watts, Terry “Bo” (Shelia) Watts, Teresa Raines, David Watts and Betty (James) Davis; special grandson she raised, Larry Watts Jr.; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Whitfield Pentecostal Fellowship Church with Bro. Joe Gilman officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Kevin, Little Ed, Casey, Jacob, Ben, James W., Dave, and Billy.
Honorary pallbearers will be the women of Whitfield Church.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Helen Lavader Cook Willams
January 7, 2016
Helen Lavader Cook Williams went home to be with her beloved David on January 5th 2016. Helen was born September 10, 1925 near Vernon, Florida to John Thomas and Minnie Lee Cook. She attended Vernon School through the eighth grade and helped raise her brothers and sisters at the family farm until the age of 18. She moved from Vernon to Panama City to work in a shirt factory on Highway 98 and lived in a house with Ms. Johnson which was across the street from her future brother and sister-in-law Gene and Myrtle Williams. She met her future husband, David, on one of his visits to his brother Gene’s house.
David and Helen were married on May 10, 1951, in Jackson County, Mississippi and lived in the Panama City area for a year. In 1952 David and Helen moved to the Cantonment area and lived with Uncle John and Aunt Jencie Williams while they both went to work for Chemstrand Corporation. They moved to the Brownsdale Florida area in early 1954 and lived in Clate Diamonds house which was located near the intersection of Ebenezer Church Road and Highway 197. David and Helen’s first child, Larry Michael, was born in 1954 and soon after they purchased a piece of property from Elmer Simmons and started construction of a new home at the intersection of Range Road and Highway 197. Their second child, Roger, was born about the time the house was completed in 1956. Helen quit her job at Chemstrand and became a full time housewife so she could raise her two sons. Helen loved to sew and made several quilts for the family throughout the years until she developed Carpal Tunnel syndrome. In 1970 she went to work for Mrs. Diamond at the Dollar General Store that was located where NAPA Auto Parts are now. After a couple of years, she went to work for Mrs. Spencer at the 5 and 10 store that was located where the Jay Historical Society is now. She attended Cora Baptist Church for over 50 years and was their oldest member. Because of her declining health, she moved in with her son Roger from 2010 until 2015 and during the past year, she was a resident at the Terrace and spent her last month at Century Health and Rehab.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David Williams; parents, John Thomas and Minnie Lee Cook; stepmother, Liza Jane Cook; sisters, Dorothy, Minnie Lee Cook, and Adel Earwood; brothers, Johnny, James Earl, and John Cook and ten nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her sons, Larry (Sue) and Roger (Linda) Williams; grandson, Jeremy Williams; granddaughters, Becky (Ronnie) Moore and Lisa Moore; great-grandsons, Billy, Brian, Brenan Dykes and Damian Williams; great-granddaughter, Brooke Williams; three great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas and Jimmy (Jewel) Cook; two sisters, Martha (Doc) Williams and Lunell (Dave) Hefner and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 from 1-2 pm at Cora Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Brother LaDon Hall officiating.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Roger Dobson, Leon Jackson, Jerry McGee, Frank Rowell, Merlin Edwards and Mickey Diamond.
The family would like to thank the staff at Century Health and Rehab for the care given to Helen through the past month and the staff of the Terrace for the care given throughout the past year.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frankie Mosley
January 7, 2016
Mr. Frankie Mosley, 61, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, in Bay Minette.
Mr. Mosley was a native and lifelong resident of Perdido. He was a loving father, brother and attended the Fretwell Tabernacle Holiness Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Helen Mosley; brother, Roy Mosley; uncle, Josh Hadley; granddad, Dan Hadley; grandmother, Thelma Hadley; and a great-niece, Gracie Mosley.
Survivors include his daughter, Jamie Williams of Bay Minette; six sisters, Marie Capers of Castleberry, AL, Sally Reasons of Nokomis (AL), Dell Lambeth and Lottie Porter both of Dyas, AL, Mattie Lawson and Maggie Hayles both of Butler, GA; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, January 8, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Dean Holiness Church with Sis. Helen Stewart officiating.
Burial will follow at White Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Lawson, Michael Lawson, Randy Lawson, Alton “Buddy” Lawson, Henry Stokes and Billy Joe Mosley.
Honorary pallbearer will be Roy Mosley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
L.B. Minchew
January 7, 2016
Mr. L. B. Minchew, 84, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, in Jay.
Mr. Minchew was a native of Brewton, former resident of Davisville, and had resided in Atmore the past nine years. Mr. Minchew was retired from NAS with 30 years of service. He loved to pick at people, loved to fish, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a member of the Calvary Deliverance Church. He is preceded in death by a son, Douglas Gordon Minchew and a brother, Grover Minchew.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Tinie Minchew of Atmore; one son, Joel Daniel (Lavine) Minchew of Booneville, AL; four daughters, Glenda Adams of Davisville, Ruthie (Billy) Dunn of Atmore, Dorothy (Billy) Martin of Davisville and Natalie Minchew of Lakeland; five sisters, Druie Mae Wilson of Atmore, Nicie Freeman of Marlow, AL, Linda Crowder of Dothan, AL, Reatha Heston of Milton, FL and Margaret Roundtree of Munson, FL; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, January 8, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Don Davis officiating.
Burial will be at the Antioch Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Trey McGhee, Tyler Krippes, Andy McKinney, Devin Dunn, Michael Harrelson and Myles Harrelson.
Honorary pallbearer will be Jonathan Adams.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homesin charge of all arrangements.