House, Senate Leaders Agree On Budget Outline
April 27, 2017
House and Senate leaders struck a deal Tuesday on the broad outline of a budget after a topsy-turvy day at the Capitol, clearing the way for negotiations that could allow the session to end as scheduled on May 5.
The deal capped off nearly two weeks of talks between House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart. Lawmakers now have about a week to reach agreement on details and then allow for a constitutionally required 72-hour “cooling off” period before the final day of the session.
Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican in line to become Senate president after the 2018 elections, confirmed late Tuesday that there was a deal between the two sides after behind-the-scenes negotiations. But a hoped-for meeting between House and Senate leaders to formalize the deal and launch the negotiations never materialized.
Legislative leaders were still looking over the final numbers late Tuesday before officially announcing the package.
The final size of the budget, which would cover the year beginning July 1, was expected to be around $83 billion, roughly halfway between the House’s $81.2 billion plan and the Senate’s $85.1 billion proposal.
In a sign that Gov. Rick Scott’s priorities were in trouble, his office quickly pushed back on reports that Visit Florida, which markets the state’s tourism industry, would get less money than requested.
Ben Watkins, director of the state Division of Bond Finance, sent a letter to lawmakers arguing that failing to promote tourism could affect the state’s bond rating.
“A significant part of the state’s credit rating is dependent on the strength of our economy,” Watkins wrote. “Investments in promoting tourism (have) been an important investment in growing our economy and creating jobs, contributing to healthy revenue growth.”
Scott had asked for lawmakers to set aside $76 million for Visit Florida before the session, increasing that number to $100 million in recent weeks.
With the House and Senate reaching a deal on the budget’s basic contours, known as “allocations,” negotiating committees featuring members of both chambers were set to start hammering out details on specific areas of the spending plan. Later, the budget chiefs on both sides and, eventually, Corcoran and Negron would take over if lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement.
Simply clearing away the clash over allocations was enough to create a sense of optimism that the Legislature’s GOP majority could avoid needing overtime to complete the budget for the second time in three years. A day earlier, the sides were hammering each other after talks stalled over the weekend.
But by Tuesday evening, the dire warnings that a special session would be needed were gone. Negotiations will still have to unfold over a shorter timeframe than in past years, when lawmakers often had well more than a week to do their work.
“We do (have time) but it would be a very, very, very expedited calendar,” House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, said earlier Tuesday, when the agreement was still being worked on.
The deal was struck hours after the Trujillo’s committee voted to move forward with a “standard operating budget” that would have essentially carried over current state spending levels, with some increases for critical areas like public education and Medicaid funding.
The plan never had a chance of becoming law; Senate leaders had already dismissed it. But House Republicans said the unusual maneuver could help avoid a special or extended session.
“It’s really the safety valve,” Trujillo said. “Could we get a budget done in the next 10 days? Possibly. But if we don’t, this is our safety valve.”
Democrats blasted the proposal as a sham. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, called the plan “just strategy and posturing.”
But even then, rumors were circulating that Corcoran and Negron were closing in on the deal that was finally struck later Tuesday.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
UPDATE: Endangered 11-Year Old Runaway Boy Located
April 26, 2017
UPDATE 7:20 pm — The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reports this missing child has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing endangered runaway child.
The ECSO said 11-year old Joseph Coleman was last seen on April 24 when he skipped school and ran away from home. He has a history of running away.
He was last seen wearing a white shirt, khaki pants and gray Jordan tennis shoes. He was also seen carrying a blue athletic bag with clothes inside.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Joseph Coleman is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Mostly Sunny Today; Rain For Tonight And Thursday
April 26, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
16 Arrested In Six Day Operation From Kingsfield Road To Warrington
April 26, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a six-day operation that arrest those responsible for multiple burglaries, robberies and grand thefts throughout Escambia County, from the Kingsfield Road area, to Avondale to Warrington.
Because of the increase in violent crimes and burglaries, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Operations Division preformed “High Intensity Patrols” in numerous Escambia County neighborhoods. The six-day operation resulted in 16 arrests, four guns recovered, and several different illegal narcotics taken off of the streets. Two stolen vehicles were also recovered during the operation. Deputies also issued eight criminal citations and served seven outstanding warrants.
Deonte’ Bodiford was captured at Pines of Warrington in a stolen vehicle with a gun, narcotics and stolen property. He is also a suspect in a home invasion earlier the same day. Bodiford’s charges included burglary with assault/battery and use of weapon during felony.
Conner Scherffius had active warrants from a burglary that occurred in March in which $10,000 worth of equipment was stolen and pawned. He was found riding a bike on Kingsfield Road. Scherffius was arrested for burglary, grand theft, fraud and dealing in stolen property.
Markesia James who was featured on the ECSO Facebook page as wanted for questioning in a string of burglaries was arrested with outstanding warrants.
Another man, Kevin Owens, was arrested after he tried to carjack an undercover deputy in an unmarked car. Click here to read more.
A complete list of those arrested during the operation has not been released.
Northview And Tate FFA Programs Named Among Florida’s Finest
April 26, 2017
The Northview High School FFA and the Tate High School FFA have both been named as one of Florida’s Finest FFA chapters, and Northview’s “Fresh From Florida” program has been named finalist in the 2017 Agriculture Advocacy Awards.
The selection of Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA.
Northview’s “Fresh From Florida” program, which introduced hundreds of elementary school students to agriculture during an on-campus event, is one of five finalists for the best program in the state.
The Northview FFA has been recognized as one of the best in the nation for three consecutive years, and their “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as among the best in Florida for multiple years.
One member and one advisor from each chapter will be recognized on the main stage during the 89th Florida FFA Convention June 14 in Orlando. In addition, both chapters will represent Florida at the national level in the National Chapter Award Program in Indianapolis.
Pictured: Scenes from the “Fresh From Florida” event last March at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets 25-3 Senior Night Win (With Photo Gallery)
April 26, 2017
The Northview Chiefs celebrated Senior Night with a huge 25-3 win in four innings over Pensacola Christian Tuesday night in Bratt.
The PCA Warrior took a 1-0 lead into the top of the first, but the Chiefs responded with 14 points in the bottom of the first. The Chiefs added five runs in the second and six in the third, while PCA managed just one run in each of the third and fourth innings.
With the Chiefs 22 points ahead, the game was called after the top of the fourth due to the 10-run rule.
The Chiefs honored a dozen graduating seniors Tuesday night: Jared Aliff, Adrian King, Chandler Lowery, Daniel Mascaro, Josh Neese, Zach Payne, Blake Reid, Quentin Sampson, Josh Smith, Devin Stabler, Alston Wiggins and Bailey Wilson.
For a photo gallery from Senior Night activities and game action, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Man Attempts To Carjack Deputy
April 26, 2017
One man was arrested Friday after he attempted to carjack an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy.
The ECSO said 36-year old Kevin Donnell Owens approached a vehicle on Chestnut Street and began to pull a gun from his waistband. That’s when he realized he was about to carjack a deputy in an unmarked vehicle. He fled on foot before being captured.
The Sheriff’s Office said Owens is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon.
Owens was one of 16 people arrested during a 16-day high intensity operation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Click here to read more.
Tate Aggies Celebrate Senior Night (With Gallery)
April 26, 2017
The Tate Aggies lost a tough Senior Night game to Milton 9-0 Tuesday.
The Aggies honored seniors Josh Barnes, Hunter NeSmith, Ian Ruiz, Tanner Helton, Corey Young, Logan Blackmon and Logan McGuffey before the game.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House Takes Aim At Florida ‘Liquor Wall’
April 26, 2017
A heavily lobbied measure that would remove a Depression-era “wall” separating the sale of liquor and groceries was positioned — after more than two hours of discussion Tuesday — for a final House vote as soon as Wednesday.
The House agreed to take up a Senate-approved version of the proposal (SB 106), after years of debate that has pitted the supermarket giant Publix and small liquor stores against retailers Walmart and Target.
House sponsor Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, said the proposal, which would repeal a decades-old state law requiring stand-alone liquor stores, doesn’t make Walmart and Target winners. He said the decision to vote on the Senate measure, which includes a provision regarding convenience stores that was not in the House version, was done in the “spirit of cooperation.”
Walmart and Target lobbyists have argued that repealing the law is needed to meet customers’ demands and convenience. Instead of going elsewhere to buy liquor, shoppers could buy it in the same stores where they pick up groceries and other items.
But more than 100 liquor-store owners and employees, many wearing white T-shirts stating “Save Jobs & Small Business Vote No,” lined the entryway to the House chamber prior to the session Tuesday. The bill also could affect Publix, which has opened liquor stores in many of the same shopping centers as its supermarkets.
Critics pointed to the potential impact of the change on small businesses and the possibility there would be greater access to liquor by minors, either as store employees or shoppers.
Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice, called the proposal “decidedly anti-free market.”
“Isn’t this bill essentially a conduit to allow the large package stores to run amok, to run the small businesses out of the various market places and restrict their ability to find places to conduct their businesses?” Gonzalez said.
In addition to repealing the separation law, enacted in 1934 as Florida was responding to the end of Prohibition, the measure would prohibit new package stores from being licensed within 1,000 feet of schools; require small bottles, 6.8 ounces or less, to be displayed only behind the counter; and require that checkout clerks under the age of 18 to be supervised by someone 18 or older when alcohol is being purchased.
The Senate voted 21-17 last month to approve the proposal sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores. It also would require retail businesses that sell gas to be 10,000 square feet or larger to receive liquor licenses.
The size restriction had been a sticking point when the proposal first reached the House floor last month. But Avila noted that a number of senators expressed concern about the potential for liquor stores appearing on neighborhood street-corners.
“For all intents and purposes I have not seen a gas station, other than the Busy Bee, that is more than 10,000-square-feet,” Avila said.
Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, and Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana, failed to convince House members to approve a series of amendments that Avila said were intended to “kill” the bill.
One of Plakon’s proposals, for example, would have prohibited package stores holding liquor licenses from employing anyone under age 21.
“For the first time, tens of thousands of young people, without this amendment, will be in close proximity to hard liquor,” Plakon said of his amendment, which failed in a 70-48 vote.
By taking up the Senate version, and not making any changes, approval by the House would send the bill to Gov. Rick Scott rather than having the bill bounce back to the Senate.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: A separate liquor store next to the Publix in University Town Center on West Nine Mile Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Runners Shine At Regionals; Advance To State Finals
April 26, 2017
Several Northview High School athletes placed at the regional track meet Tuesday and will advance to state. They are:
Boys 800 meter — Brandon Korinchak — placed 2nd
Girls 4 x 100 meter dash — Audriene Odom, Crystal Douglas, Nene Findley, Celeste North — placed 4th
Boys 4 x 100 meter dash — Brandon Spencer, Tim Bush, Keaton Solmonson, Joseph Wright — placed second
Boys 200 meter dash — Brandon Spencer — placed second
Pictured: Brandon Korinchak. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.