Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Working Toward November
January 28, 2018
Looser gun laws and low taxes? Those were just two of the items the Republican-dominated Legislature advanced this week, offering more proof (as if any were needed) that it’s an election year in Florida.
The Sunshine State — snidely spoofed as “The Gunshine State” by gun-control advocates — has long been a testing ground for legislation fired out by the National Rifle Association, thanks mostly to NRA lobbyist and onetime national president Marion Hammer.
While gun-related bills didn’t fare so well last year, they’re perennially on the agenda in the Capitol, and this election year is no different.
Committees in the House and Senate are moving forward with measures that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on the grounds of churches and other religious institutions that include schools.
The Senate proposal, however, would ban firearm possession during hours when schools or day-care centers are operating.
A House committee backed a similar plan in a party-line vote — just a day after two teenagers were killed and 18 others were injured in a shooting spree at a Kentucky high school.
Florida law allows religious facilities to be open to people who have concealed-weapons licenses and are armed. However, state law prohibits people from carrying guns at schools.
As with gun-friendly proposals, lowering taxes — or at least keeping them low — is a ubiquitous item on the GOP agenda.
In a priority of Gov. Rick Scott and Speaker Richard Corcoran, the Florida House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult to raise taxes and fees.
The proposal, which could go on the November ballot, would require two-thirds votes by the House and the Senate in the future to increase taxes and fees, up from the usual majority votes.
Meanwhile, another election-year proposal strongly supported by conservatives also inched closer to the ballot this week. A Constitution Revision Commission panel approved a measure that would narrow the right to privacy, the bedrock of numerous Florida Supreme Court decisions overturning anti-abortion laws.
At the other end of the spectrum, a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand the rights of convicted felons made it onto the November ballot.
The proposal could open the door for more than 1 million Floridians to regain the right to vote, something proponents maintain is a critical component of enabling convicted felons to feel like they’re fully integrated into society.
Ambrose Bierce, the great turn-of-the-19th-century American wit and writer, offered this sly definition of redemption in “The Devil’s Dictionary.”
“The doctrine of Redemption is the fundamental mystery of our holy religions, and whoso believeth in it shall not perish, but have everlasting life in which to try to understand it.”
SHOT AT RESTORATION
Desmond Meade broke down in tears while recording a video announcing the “Voting Restoration Amendment” had been approved Tuesday to appear on the November ballot as Amendment 4.
The proposal would automatically restore voting rights to felons who have served their sentences, completed parole or probation and paid restitution. Murderers and sex offenders would be excluded.
For Meade, the chairman of the Floridians for a Fair Democracy political committee behind the petition drive, the proposed constitutional change is personal.
Meade, a convicted felon and law-school graduate who struggled for years to have his rights restored, spearheaded the campaign, largely bankrolled by the American Civil Liberties Union and other big donors.
“I know I’m getting a little emotional right now because only God knows the hard work that was put in to get to this point,” a tearful and buoyant Meade said in a Facebook Live post.
“No one thought we would get here. But we’re here. We’re one step closer. We’re one step closer to liberating and giving over 1.6 million a shot at redemption, a shot at restoration, a shot at citizenship,” he said. “We’ve got one more step to go.”
Black state legislators have tried repeatedly to change state law to allow the automatic restoration of rights. But the Republican-dominated Legislature either quashed or ignored the efforts.
Florida is one of just four states that do not automatically restore felons’ voting rights, once they have completed their sentences and paid restitution. Critics of Florida’s system say it is cumbersome, lengthy and, for many, expensive.
Meade, for example, originally applied to have his rights restored in 2006, but he got caught up in a backlog of thousands of others eager to take advantage of changes authorized by former Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet that made restoration easier.
But the process took so long that, by the time Meade’s application was examined, he was no longer eligible for the quasi-automatic restoration of civil rights, which include the right to vote.
By then, a new system instituted in 2011 — pushed by Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi — had taken effect. Since then, just a fraction of the more than 100,000 former felons who sought to have their rights restored were successful.
The restoration of felons’ rights has long been controversial in Florida, with critics of the state’s process comparing it to post-Civil War Jim Crow policies designed to keep blacks from casting ballots.
A system approved in 2011 by Scott and the Cabinet required felons convicted of nonviolent crimes to wait a minimum of five years to have their rights restored, while others could wait up to 10 years before being eligible to apply. Backers of the process have argued that the restoration of voting rights for felons should be earned and only after a sufficient waiting period.
Meade, originally convicted of drug crimes and, later, of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm, received a letter the same year the 2011 changes went into effect telling him he had to wait at least another year to petition to have his rights restored — more than five years after he had first applied.
He told The News Service of Florida last year he abandoned his effort and instead focused on revamping the system, pointing out that some people have waited more than a decade just for a hearing to have their rights restored.
STAMPING OUT A SCOURGE
Florida lawmakers are poised to spend at least $50 million to stamp out the opioid epidemic that’s caused a spike in overdoses throughout the state.
Dealing with what Scott declared a public health emergency last year is a top priority for the governor and leaders in both legislative chambers.
The House and Senate have each earmarked about $50 million — more than half of which comes from federal funds — to address the drug scourge. The money would be steered to direct services in local communities, with targeted outreach to pregnant women, as well as outpatient care, residential and recovery support and medication-assisted treatment.
The House and Senate, which released initial budget proposals this week, also want to spend about $1.1 million for upgrades to the prescription drug monitoring program, which is a statewide database aimed at preventing addicts from “doctor shopping” for drugs. The money would go toward providing real-time data uploads and data analysis and to integrate the database with electronic health records.
STORY OF THE WEEK: A proposed constitutional amendment that would automatically restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences and paid restitution was approved for the November ballot as Amendment 4.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “You either stand with the people whose money the government takes or you stand with the government that takes it.” — State Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, the sponsor of a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult for the Legislature to raise taxes.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Carla Ross Named Escambia District Teacher Of The Year, Other Top Educators Honored
January 27, 2018
Carla Ross of Washington High School was named the Escambia County School District Teacher of the Year Friday night at the annual Golden Apple Awards.
Ross is now in the running for the Florida Teacher of the Year.
In addition to Ross the five finalists for the award included William Broome of Woodham Middle School, Shana Brown of Molino Park Elementary School, Megan Carroll of Northview High School, and Suzanne Hollingsworth of Beulah Elementary School.
A teacher from each school in the district was selected by their peers to represent ingenuity, dedication, compassion, organization, other traits shared by teachers in their schools. They teach various subject areas and also teach life skills and employability skills such as teamwork, time management, and social responsibility.
The Golden Apple Awards honered all Teachers of the Year for each school in the district.
Those teachers were:
Alternative Education — Mercedes Musto
Jim Allen Elementary — Cheryl Massey
Jim C. Bailey Middle — Bobby White
Bellview Elementary — Katie Trier
Bellview Middle — Paulette Brown
Beulah Academy of Science — Rodney Story
Beulah Elementary — Suzanne Hollingsworth
Blue Angels Elementary — Donna C. McKay
Bratt Elementary — Kim Ryan
Brentwood Elementary — Mrs. Scotti Mason
Brown-Barge Middle — David Mellor
Byrneville Elementary — James McDaniel
Camelot Academy — Barbara Belvin
Hellen Caro Elementary — Amy Blamires
N. B. Cook Elementary — Kim Anthony
Cordova Park Elementary — Julios Dewberry
Ensley Elementary — Myra L. Palmer
Escambia High — Keitha Jenkins Brown
Escambia Westgate — Barbara McGill
Ferry Pass Elementary — Nikki Cole
Ferry Pass Middle — Dustin Brenton
Global Learning Academy — Clarence Myles, Jr.
Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Tonya Gron
Lakeview School — Sherry King
Lincoln Park Primary — Jamila Richardson
R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Patti Payne
Longleaf Elementary — Rena Croker
L. D. McArthur Elementary — Elizabeth Benoit
McMillan Pre-K — Lillian Welch
Molino Park Elementary — Shana Brown
Montclair Elementary School — Catherine Gritsavage
Myrtle Grove Elementary — Angela Carver
Navy Point Elementary — Dawn Paulus
Northview High — Megan Carroll
Oakcrest Elementary — Lori Martin
Pensacola High — Thelma Mullin
Pine Forest High — Jeffrey Lance
Pine Meadow Elementary — Vanessa Taylor
Pleasant Grove Elementary — Alison Schultheis (Sarah)
Ransom Middle — James Jackson
Scenic Heights Elementary — Melissa Thompson
O. J. Semmes Elementary — Cole Harper
Sherwood Elementary — Alexis Quick
George Stone Technical Center — Susan Shockley
A. K. Suter Elementary — Susan Anderson
J. M. Tate High — Alton “Dale” Gilmore
Title 1 — Wendy Ellis
Ernest Ward Middle — Jennifer Luker
Warrington Elementary — Keri Buck
Warrington Middle — Anne Laurenzi
Booker T. Washington High — Carla Ross
C. A. Weis Elementary — Jennifer Kemp
West Florida High — Shawn Walker
West Pensacola Elementary — Tereasa Newton
W. J. Woodham Middle — William Broome
J. H. Workman Middle School — Milagros Sessions
Lexus Involved In Intersection Shootout Found In Georgia; Shooters Still On The Run
January 27, 2018
The silver Lexus involved in an intersection shootout in Escambia County has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Friday night that the vehicle was located in Georgia. But the search is continuing for suspect 27-year old Jonathan James Harris and a second unknown shooter who were both inside the Lexus.
Dash cam video from a nearby vehicle shows the silver Lexus pulling up to the intersection of W Street and Fairfield Drive about noon Monday. A man, later identified as Harris leaned out the open driver’s window of the Lexus. He fired across a traffic lane at a gold Toyota driven by 31-year old Jeremy Olds.
The man identified as Olds jumped out of the Toyota and returned fire. Olds has been located and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Authorities have estimated that 10-12 rounds were fired, including rounds that struck the Toyota with two children inside.
Deputies said the shooting was likely drug related.
Anyone with information on Harris or the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Two More Arrested In Escambia Homicide And Home Invasion
January 27, 2018
Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with a deadly home invasion in Escambia County.
Tatiana Monique Shanell Williams, 26, and Cleveland Jermaine Golden, 37, were arrested Friday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Williams is charged with homicide and principle to home invasion and is being held on a $200,000 bond. Golden was charged with homicide and home invasion robbery. He is being held without bond.
Deputies said another suspect, 22-year-old Lyntonio De’Shawn Quinn, was taken into custody and arrested earlier on Friday. He is charged with homicide, home invasion robbery, and probation violation.
Deputies responded to a call of a shooting victim around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday on 48th Avenue near Elsa Avenue.
When deputies arrived they found 27-year-old David Washington dead on the side of the road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Washington and the three suspects arrested Friday were involved in a drug-related home invasion at the time of the shooting.
Students Won’t Be Required To Make Up Day Missed Due To Icy Conditions
January 27, 2018
Schools officials say Escambia and Santa Rosa county students will not be required to make up a day they missed due to ice. Students in both counties were out on January 17 due to the frozen conditions across the area. Pictured: Ice in the school zone on Highway 4 in front of Northview High School in Bratt the morning of January 17. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Holds ‘Starting Your Plants From Seeds’ Program
January 27, 2018
Escambia Extension held a “Starting Your Plants from Seed” program Friday morning. Attendees learned about seed starting techniques to get a jump on a successful gardening season. The program was held at the Escambia County Extension Office in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Collects Thousands Of Pop Tabs For The Ronald McDonald House
January 27, 2018
Molino Park Elementary School students collected tens of thousands pop tabs — those little pull tabs off the tops of aluminum drink cans — to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida.
The pop tabs were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola Friday night…there were too many to weigh right away, so we’ll update you on the total later.
The money from recycling the tabs is used by the facility to help pay their utility bills for the house on Bayou Boulevard.
And it’s not too late to donate pop tabs to Molino Park Elementary for the Ronald McDonald House…the school is still accepting donations.
Pictured: Molino Park Elementary dropped off a lot of pop tabs Friday night at the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Weight Lifters Place At Regionals, Watson Going To State
January 27, 2018
Two Jay High School senior weightlifters placed at regionals on Friday. Haylee Watson won regionals in her division, and she advances to state for the third year. Sarah Barnhill placed sixth in her division. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Arrested For DUI Following Highway 97 Crash (Updated)
January 26, 2018
[Updated with details 10 a.m.] A Century man with a blood alcohol level almost two and a half times the legal limit was arrested for driving under the influence following an injury crash on Highway 97 Thursday evening.
The accident happened about 5:30 p.m. on Highway 97 near Gibson Road near Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 46-year old Linda Faye Till of Molino was traveling south on Highway 97 when her 2017 Toyota was rear-ended by a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by 53-year old Benjamin Frank Ard. After the initial collision, the vehicles were being moved off the roadway when Ard rear-ended the car a second time, according to troopers.
Linda Till and her passenger, Brian Aubrey Till, were transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital for their injuries.
Ard and his passenger, Lorenzo Knight of Walnut Hill, were not injured.
Ard had a blood alcohol level of .197, according to a FHP report, above the legal limit of .08. He was charged with driving under the influence and cited for careless driving and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $1,000.
Further details have not been released as the FHP continues their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Forecasters: Drought Conditions Worsen Across The Area
January 26, 2018
A drought continues to slowly worsen with moderate to severe drought across the Florida Panhandle, according to the National Weather Service. NWS graphic, click to enlarge.