Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: A Food Fight And A Power Play
May 27, 2018
For a while, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Congressman Ron DeSantis were in danger of serious elbow injuries in a “who’s the Trumpiest” contest that’s part of their larger battle to capture the Republican nomination to succeed Gov. Rick Scott.
But it seems that Fox News darling DeSantis has captured the heart not only of President Donald Trump but perhaps the entire First Family.
The president’s namesake, Donald Trump Jr., will be in the Sunshine State to stump for DeSantis next month, according to the congressman’s campaign staff. The First Son will also give a Trump stamp of approval to DeSantis’ fellow Fox fave, Panhandle Congressman Matt Gaetz, prior to Florida’s August primary election.
DeSantis has been boasting for a while that he’s garnered the endorsement of the president, who’s more than once praised the Palm Coast Republican. But appearing onstage with the younger Trump will burnish the congressman’s conservative credentials in his grudge match against Putnam.
The agriculture commissioner, meanwhile, remains ensnared in a controversy about Publix after reports last week that the supermarket company contributed more than $600,000 to Putnam’s gubernatorial campaign over the past three years.
Gun-control advocates, who had already targeted Putnam for calling himself “a proud NRA sellout,” quickly called for a boycott of Publix, while supporters of both the Lakeland-based company and Putnam encouraged shoppers to spend their time and money at the iconic grocery chain.
Election-season verbal backstabbing in Florida and throughout the nation prompts a pause for reflection on how a little kindness might offset the animosity that’s become the norm.
“Constant kindness can accomplish much,” the late, great humanitarian Albert Schweitzer advised. “As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”
POWER COMPANY BULKS UP
Publix isn’t the only Florida corporate behemoth in the news: Florida Power & Light’s parent company, NextEra Energy Inc., announced this week it will buy Northwest Florida’s Gulf Power as part of a $6.475 billion deal.
NextEra plans to buy Gulf Power, the Florida City Gas natural-gas company and ownership interests in two power plants from The Southern Company. The purchase of Gulf Power and the stakes in the power plants, which are subject to federal approval, are expected to close during the first half of 2019, while the Florida City Gas purchase is slated for the third quarter of 2018, according to a NextEra Energy announcement.
The deal would expand NextEra Energy’s already-massive footprint in the state. Its Florida Power & Light subsidiary is by far the largest electric utility in Florida, serving nearly 5 million customers. Gulf Power, with about 450,000 customers in eight counties, is the largest utility in the Panhandle.
Florida City Gas has about 110,000 residential and commercial natural-gas customers in Miami-Dade, Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
“These transactions will provide meaningful benefits for the state of Florida, and Gulf Power and Florida City Gas customers, as well as NextEra Energy shareholders,” Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, said in a prepared statement. “Importantly, these transactions are consistent with our long-standing, disciplined approach of maintaining the strength of our balance sheet and credit ratings, both of which are among the strongest in the industry.”
PLEASE SIR, MAY I HAVE SOME MORE … PAGES?
In other regulatory news, state health officials heard a litany of warnings this week about potential flaws in a proposed medical marijuana rule.
A hearing about the proposed rule came more than seven months after a legislatively mandated Oct. 3 deadline for the Department of Health to issue new medical-marijuana licenses, in what could be one of the country’s largest cannabis markets.
The proposed rule, released more than three weeks ago, set in motion the application process — considered far behind schedule by many legislators — for four highly sought-after licenses.
But the issues identified during a Thursday hearing signaled possible legal or administrative challenges that could further postpone the issuance of licenses.
Lawmakers ordered the new licenses after voters approved a 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized marijuana as a treatment for patients with debilitating medical conditions.
The law requires one of the new licenses to go to a black farmer who was involved in federal litigation about discriminatory lending practices. And the statute requires health officials to give preference for up to two licenses to applicants that “own one or more facilities that are, or were, used for the canning, concentrating, or otherwise processing of citrus fruit or citrus molasses and will use or convert the facility or facilities for the processing of marijuana.” The citrus preference is the subject of one of several marijuana-related court challenges.
During about an hour of public testimony Thursday, most of the complaints were focused on the citrus-related language in the proposed rule.
Lawyer Seann Frazier pointed out that the proposed regulation substituted the word “property” for “facilities,” which, he said, “adds vagueness” and may broaden the language in the statute, something the agency is not permitted to do.
The proposed rule would give the two highest-scoring applicants who are eligible for the citrus preference an extra 35 points, in addition to a total of 1,150 possible points available to all applicants. The 35 extra points amount to just a 3 percent bonus, Frazier said.
“We respectfully suggest that more weight should be given to the citrus preference” to “avoid a situation where you issue licenses and no one really had a meaningful exercise of the preference,” Frazier, who represents Tampa-based Louis del Favero Orchids, said.
Office of Medical Marijuana Use Director Christian Bax asked Frazier if he had a suggestion about how many points the citrus preference should be worth.
“I suggest it should be a lot higher preference, one that would make a difference that a citrus-qualifying applicant will actually receive a license,” said Frazier, whose client is interested in seeking one of the citrus-preference licenses.
Other speakers complained that page limits imposed in the proposed rule could prevent applicants from providing necessary information, such as how many dispensaries they plan to open or information about human-resources policies.
Bax said the health department would take the concerns into consideration.
“If the department believes that a change needs to be made, then it will be made. If not, then we’ll continue to move forward with this process,” he said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: NextEra Energy, the parent company of Florida Power & Light, is buying Gulf Power as part of a $6.475 billion deal.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If all New York has to do to prevent inmate misconduct and crime is gently remind them not to misbehave, one wonders why that state’s prisons have fences and walls. Why not simply post signs reminding inmates not to escape? If New York wants to engage in a fantasy about convicted criminals behaving like model citizens while serving out their sentences, it is free to do so, but the Constitution does not require Florida to join New York in la-la-land.” — 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Ed Carnes, siding with Florida corrections officials in a lawsuit challenging the state’s censorship of Prison Legal News. The publication is available to inmates in every state but Florida.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Library Summer Reading Program Begins May 29
May 27, 2018
Summer Reading Club 2018 “Libraries Rock” will kick off at all West Florida Public Libraries locations on Tuesday, May 29, with opportunities for adults and youth to participate and be entered to win a variety of prizes.
Participants and parents wanting to sign up their children may do so at any WFPL branch from May 29 through Aug. 4.
Youth ages 0-17 will get reading logs to keep track of every 15 minutes they read. After 12.5 hours of reading, they get a free book and a bonus reading log to be entered for additional prizes.
Youth prizes include books, ukuleles, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, bongo drums, otamatones, karaoke machines, musical instrument sets, light-up gloves and disco ball, voice-changing microphones and firetruck rides to school for a few lucky students.
Summer Reading Club youth programs include Tampa Taiko Drummers, Roger Day, The Moogician, Magical Poodles, Mike Artell, Reno’s Reptiles, Bucky & GiGi, Quite a Catch and Animal Tales (schedule below).
Adults will have a separate Summer Reading Club with prizes including ukuleles, tablets, Adirondack chairs and gift cards.
Escambia County residents 18 years old and above can pick up a Summer Reading Club log bookmark at any WFPL location. Fill in the bookmark with the titles of books that you read or listen to via audiobook during the summer and return the filled-in bookmarks to any location. During the first week in August, partially filled in bookmarks will be accepted.
Drawings will take place during the first week of August. Winners will be notified by Tuesday, Aug. 7. At the halfway mark, youth and adult Summer Reading Club participants will be entered in a drawing for six chickens and a coop. The winner of the chicken coop must complete Chicken Keeping 101 class held at Pensacola Library.
There will also be a top prize drawing for a keyboard at the end of Summer Reading Club, which is open to youth and adult participants.
Summer Reading Club programs for children:
Tampa Taiko Drummers
- Tuesday, June 5, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Amphitheater
- Tuesday, June 5, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 6, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 6, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 7, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Tampa Taiko is back this summer with a dynamic, interactive show featuring Japanese Taiko drums
Roger Day, Musician
- Tuesday, June 12, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
- Tuesday, June 12, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 13, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 13, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Award winning children’s musician Roger Day has played with the Indigo Girls, Nancy Griffith and the Crickets (Buddy Holly’s band). You don’t want to miss his performance!
The Moogician, Entertainer
- Tuesday, June 19, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
- Tuesday, June 19, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 20, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Todd Charles (the Moogician) combines magic, music and milk in a creative comedy show for kids.
Mike Artell, Artist
- Tuesday, June 26, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
- Tuesday, June 26, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 27, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
- Wednesday, June 27, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Thursday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
- Friday, June 29, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Mike Artell, author of “Petite Rouge The Cajun Red Riding Hood”, visits the library to share his unique talents including cartooning and music.
No Injuries In Kingsfield Road Crash
May 27, 2018
There were no injuries in a single vehicle crash Sunday morning on West Kingsfield Road near South Highway 97. The driver of a Ford F150 left the roadway and struck a guardrail. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Munson Wreck Claims One Life
May 26, 2018
A Saturday morning wreck claimed a life near Munson.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 21-year old Barrett Ira Strickland of Milton was traveling east on Munson Highway near Coldwater Horse Trail when his 2002 Toyota Tacoma left the roadway and overturned.
He was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 7:55 a.m. crash.
Man, 98, Critically Injured When Tractor Overturns
May 26, 2018
A 98-year old man was critically injured Friday evening when his tractor overturned.
The man was deep in a wooded area on South County Road 97, near West Kingsfield Road. He was airlifted to an area hospital as a “trauma alert”.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Rescue Cat From Smoke Filled Home
May 26, 2018
Firefighters saved a cat from a house filled with smoke Friday afternoon on Alysheba Lane in Cantonment. We’re told the cat is expected to make a full recovery.
We are told the firefighter in the photo holding the cat is Rokisha Johnson from the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
There were no injuries reported. Further information on the4 p.m. incident were not available.
Reader submitted photos by Sarah Padgett for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Publix Suspends Political Contributions Amid Uproar
May 26, 2018
Facing protests over its heavy contributions to gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, Publix announced Friday that it was suspending corporate political contributions “as we re-evaluate our giving processes.”
The supermarket giant has been embroiled in controversy after reports that it contributed more than $600,000 to Putnam’s gubernatorial campaign over the past three years.
Putnam, a Republican, has particularly become a target of criticism from gun-control advocates after the February 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County.
“At Publix, we respect the students and members of the community who have chosen to express their voices on these issues,” the company said in Friday’s statement. “We regret our contributions have led to a divide in our community. We did not intend to put our associates and the customers they serve in the middle of a political debate. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping environment for our customers. We would never knowingly disappoint our customers or the communities we serve. As a result, we decided earlier this week to suspend corporate-funded political contributions as we re-evaluate our giving processes.”
by The News Service of Florida
Judge Rules Ban On Smoking Medical Marijuana Is Unconstitutional
May 26, 2018
A state law banning patients from smoking medical marijuana is unconstitutional, a Tallahassee judge ruled late Friday.
In a highly anticipated but not surprising decision, Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers found that a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016 that broadly legalized medical marijuana gives eligible patients the right to smoke the treatment in private.
The law banning smoking of medical marijuana “is invalid because it conflicts with the Florida Constitution and prohibits a use of medical marijuana that is permitted by the amendment: smoking in private,” Gievers wrote in Friday’s 22-page order.
A spokesman for the Florida Department of Health said the state is expected to appeal, which likely would place Gievers’ order on hold.
Gievers’ decision came a little more than a week after a hearing in which Cathy Jordan, a patient who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease more than three decades ago, told the judge she credits smoking joints with saving her life.
Jordan is among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit initiated by John Morgan, the Orlando trial lawyer who largely bankrolled what was known as Amendment 2. The prohibition on smoking medical marijuana was included in a law passed last year that implemented the constitutional amendment.
The amendment does not expressly authorize smoking pot but gives the state the authority to enact regulations regarding medical marijuana use, lawyers for the state have maintained.
But, agreeing with the plaintiffs, Gievers found that the language in the amendment “recognizes there is no right to smoke in public places, thereby implicitly recognizing the appropriateness of using smokable medical marijuana in private places consistent with the amendment.”
The “ability to smoke medical marijuana was implied” in the constitutional language “and is therefore a protected right,” Gievers wrote.
Shortly after Gievers’ opinion was released, Morgan tweeted: “When I start something I finish it. Truth prevails!! The voters will be done!! #BELIEVE #ForThePeople #NoSmokeIsAJoke.”
Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who will take over as Senate president in the fall, said Friday evening he had not read the order but intended to review it to ascertain the judge’s reasoning. “It is a significant departure from what was passed (in the law),” he said.
Lawmakers enacted the prohibition on joints — derided as “no smoke is a joke” by critics — largely to protect the public from the ill effects of smoking, lawyers for the state argued during the May 16 hearing.
But Jon Mills, a former House speaker who was instrumental in crafting the amendment and represents the plaintiffs, insisted that the Constitution in a variety of ways allows smokable marijuana, including in how marijuana is defined.
For example, the constitutional amendment relied on a 2014 definition of marijuana in Florida criminal law, which includes “all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not.” That includes whole-flower marijuana, which is used for smoking, the plaintiffs contend.
Gievers agreed.
“The amendment addresses the role of each of the three branches of Florida’s government in making sure that those who need marijuana for treatment of their pertinent medical issues are able to have safe access to it, without restriction except that there is no right to smoke in public places,” she wrote.
During the May 16 hearing, Jordan — who relied on her husband to interpret her speech — testified that she was given three to five years to live after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in 1986. She began smoking marijuana as a treatment a few years after she was diagnosed, Jordan said.
Other routes of administration — such as vaping — don’t work for her, Jordan said.
Smoking gives Jordan “dry mouth,” which offsets the excessive drooling caused by ALS, she said. And it relaxes her muscles, increases her appetite and helps combat depression, Jordan said.
“It just makes my life a lot more bearable,” said Jordan, who currently grows her own marijuana.
Ben Pollara, the campaign manager of the political committee behind Amendment 2, hailed the judge’s ruling.
“This is a huge victory for sick and suffering Floridians, who can now consume their medicine however they choose. And it’s a victory for voters, whose clear will had been thwarted by the Legislature. No smoke is a joke, and today the court agreed,” said Pollara, who’s also the head of the non-profit organization Florida for Care, which advocates for patients and the medical marijuana industry.
Friday’s decision was the second victory Gievers handed to patients who have challenged the state over medical-marijuana restrictions. Last month, she gave the go-ahead to Tampa strip-club owner Joe Redner to grow his own medical marijuana for “juicing.” The 77-year-old Redner’s doctors ordered the juicing treatment to keep his lung cancer in remission. The state has appealed Gievers’ decision.
Mills praised Gievers’ ruling in the smokable marijuana case.
“I’m delighted that the Constitution has prevailed,” he told The News Service of Florida. “This upholds the will of the people, and we’re grateful the justice system worked.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
FDOT: No Lane Closures For Holiday Weekend
May 26, 2018
No lane closures are planned on state roadways today through Monday in recognition of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The Florida Department of Transportation said even with work suspended, drivers may encounter congestion due to increased holiday traffic and/or modified traffic patterns.
FDOT encourages drivers to be safe and obey any lower posted speed limits when traveling through highway work zones.
Wahoos Win Second Straight
May 26, 2018
The Wahoos won their second straight game against the Smokies with a 2-0 victory on Friday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium to take a 2-1 series lead.
Pensacola struck first in the fourth inning after Nick Longhi led off with a double. He scored a batter later on Brian O’Grady’s single combined with a throwing error from the right fielder Jeffrey Baez. Taylor Sparks doubled him home later in the inning to put the Blue Wahoos up 2-0.
Southpaw Seth Varner (W, 2-0) had an impressive debut for the Wahoos. Varner pitched five shutout innings, with no walks, and five strikeouts. Alejandro Chacin (S, 1) closed out the game with two scoreless innings and six strikeouts for his first Southern League save since he led the league in 2016. The Smokies loaded the bases against him in the eighth, but he was able to pitch out of trouble.
Thomas Hatch (L, 4-3) took the loss for Tennessee after allowing the game’s only two runs over 5.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos will look to lock up their second series win in the last three with right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (1-6, 6.08) on the mound against Smokies right-handed pitcher Oscar De La Cruz (4-3, 5.05).