Scott $83.5 Billion Budget Seeks Tax Cuts, More Education Money
February 1, 2017
Throwing an elbow or two in the direction of House Republicans, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday unveiled a nearly $83.5 billion budget that would slash taxes, boost education funding and cut spending on hospitals.
There were few surprises in Scott’s proposed spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. But his remarks to reporters and editors gathered at the state Capitol for the Associated Press’ annual legislative planning session were still notable for taking a stern tone toward some fellow Republicans.
In particular, Scott zeroed in on House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who has been a harsh critic of the governor’s plan to spend $85 million for business incentives and another $76 million to market the state’s tourism industry. While the governor did not mention Corcoran by name, he left little doubt about whom he was discussing.
“I believe that those who oppose investing in growing businesses simply don’t understand how business works,” Scott said. “We need to compete for jobs here in Florida so we can diversify our economy for generations to come.”
Speaking later to reporters who followed him after his speech, Scott emphasized the need for incentives to help compete with other states in the race for corporate offices.
“We’re not the only place that people can go,” Scott said. “We’ve got great weather, (but) we had great weather back in 2010 when we lost all those jobs. … When people are not worried about people’s jobs, that bothers me a lot.”
Scott had already dribbled out most of the more politically advantageous items on his wish list in recent weeks, as governors often do. Scott had already proposed $618 million in tax cuts, pay adjustments for corrections officers and state law enforcement, and an expansion of the Bright Futures scholarship program.
There were some additional details Tuesday in the proposal, which lawmakers will use as a starting point as they negotiate a budget during the annual session that starts March 7.
Scott would once again boost per-student funding for public education, to $7,420.99, an increase of 3 percent. But that would rely heavily on an infusion of $557.9 million in additional local property taxes resulting from an increase in property values.
The move is almost certain to cause friction with GOP lawmakers, who have insisted that taking advantage of the rising taxable values represents a tax increase even though the actual property-tax rate, known as millage, would remain flat.
“I’ve said it a thousand times: The House will not raise taxes,” Corcoran said Tuesday, drawing out the last six words for emphasis.
The speaker also suggested he was willing to push the legislative session into overtime because of the disagreement.
“We will not raise taxes,” Corcoran said. “And if that means a lengthy year, we’re prepared for that. But we will not raise property taxes — not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”
Lawmakers voted last year to hold local property tax bills steady by partially rolling back the millage in the 2016-2017 spending plan, and Scott included that in a tally of tax cuts passed during his administration. But on Tuesday, the governor bashed the logic of saying the reverse was true — that declining to offset rising property values was a tax increase.
Scott also pointed out that lawmakers like Corcoran had previously voted for education budgets that used an increase in tax dollars to boost school spending.
“Some of those people voted for that before, so they voted for tax increases before?” he said. “When your house goes up in value, most of us like that. Anybody that doesn’t understand that that’s not a tax increase, I’m surprised.”
The governor also rolled out a plan to spend $43 million on recruiting and retaining teachers. The proposal would replace the state’s Best and Brightest program, which rewards teachers based in part on their scores on college entrance exams.
The state would give the largest chunk of the money, $16 million, to local school districts for their own initiatives. Another $10 million would provide hiring bonuses for teachers who do well on tests related to the subjects they will teach, while $6.1 million would incentivize high-quality teachers to take jobs in low-performing schools.
The state would set up a pair of scholarship programs, at a value of $10.9 million, to encourage diversity and Bright Futures scholars to enter teaching.
Additionally, Scott would spend $15 million to eliminate five fees that teachers pay to receive or renew their certifications.
Meanwhile, the governor would cut deeply into payments for hospitals. The state would reduce payments to public hospitals by $298 million. It would also save $581 million by allowing the managed-care plans that handle Medicaid patients to tweak how they reimburse hospitals. Another $50 million in funding for inflation and automatic Medicaid increases would be eliminated.
It’s questionable whether the hospital plan viable in the Legislature. It drew condemnation Tuesday from House Minority Leader Janet Cruz, D-Tampa.
“All of this is an attempt to privatize (health care services),” she said. “So we as Democrats will stick up for our safety net hospitals — period.”
In addition to improving pay for law enforcement officers, Scott also pitched plans to add 327 positions at the Florida Department of Corrections, which has been undergoing an overhaul after revelations of inmate mistreatment, among a total of 596 jobs added across state government.
The state would also get rid of 266 positions, the vast majority of which are either unfilled or expected to be vacant by the time the fiscal year begins July 1.
But Corcoran suggested the size of Scott’s budget, which weighs in at nearly $1.2 billion more than the current year’s plan, could be a problem. Lawmakers are concerned about projected budget shortfalls in future years.
“I think if we’re going to get our hands around moving forward in a fiscally responsible manner for the taxpayers, the budget needs to be cut,” Corcoran said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Local FFA Students Place At District Competition
February 1, 2017
Local FFA students recently took part in the District I FFA Competition.
Leadership Development Events (LDE) focuses on student success. The key to achievement lies in the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive world. Students can explore numerous career fields within agriculture by participating in LDEs. Students spend many hours training for competition and receive assistance from their advisor, industry partners, alumni, and community stakeholders.
Results were as follows:
Prepared Public Speaking
- Elizabeth Fleeber – Chipley
- Jaeci Cooley – Jay
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Mitchell Singleton – Northview
- Wyatt Patterson – Chipley
Creed Speaking
- Amanda Hachel – Jay
- Chloe Taylor – Vernon
Tractor Operation and Maintenance
- Donnie Dixon – Northview
- Joshua Bruner – Chipley
Parliamentary Procedure
- Tate — Cora Andrews,Madison Lucio,Victoria Kelson,Courtney Welch, Gabe Fergerson,Michael Harrelson
- Chipley
Middle School Results
Prepared Public Speaking
- Nathan O’Neal – Beulah Academy of Science
Extemporaneous Speaking
- Thuan Vo – Beulah Academy of Science
Opening and Closing Ceremony
- Beulah Academy of Science — Leia Grantham, Nathan O’Neal, Thuan Vo, Bella Avaritt, Olivia Gafford, Dylin Alford, Kamden Jones
The individuals and FFA Chapters that won first place above will represent Escambia County School District and District I FFA at the Florida FFA State Convention in June. District I FFA encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington Counties.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Portion Of Mill Is Restarting
February 1, 2017
A portion of the International Paper mill in Cantonment will be restarting soon, IP officials said Tuesday.
The mill has been idle for more than a week following a January 22 explosion, but that’s about to change.
Those in the area may notice steam and hear loud noises that are a normal part of the process, according to International Paper.
Library $5 Bag Book Sale Set For Saturday
February 1, 2017
Friends of West Florida Public Library will hold a $5 Blowout Bag Sale Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pensacola Library, located at 239 N. Spring St.
Here’s how it works: Attendees will receive a brown paper bag when they enter the library and can fill it with whatever books will fit inside. Each bag is only $5, and there is no limit on bags. There will be mysteries, novels, reference books, children’s books, biographies, military history and many more categories to browse.
“The $5 bag sale is always one of our most popular events,” said Linda Williams, immediate past president and book sale chair. “Besides giving the community the opportunity to get great books at a great price, the sale is another way for the Friends of the Library to raise funds to support library programs.”
Friends of West Florida Public Library President Mike Lane said, “Our volunteers are working hard to fill the tables with the best books we have. There will definitely be an opportunity for everybody to get some great buys.”
The Friends of West Florida Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing financial support to the West Florida Public Library system through membership fees, book sales and donations. The Friends organization was the major source of funds for the library’s 2016 Summer Reading Program, and it also provides funds for other literacy and educational activities.
Jim Allen Elementary Welcomes Escambia’s Teacher Of The Year To Class
January 31, 2017
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas joined Jim Allen Elementary School in welcoming teacher Lacey Brown to campus Monday morning. Brown was named the Escambia County School District Teacher of the Year Saturday night.
The campus was decorated with signs and balloons to welcome Brown, and a balloon drop awaited her in her classroom.
Photos by Savanna Calhoun ECSD for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Beware Of Scammers
January 31, 2017
Officials are warning those impacted by the International Paper explosion to be aware of scammers.
The Unified Command Teams says they have been made aware that businesses are contacting community members potentially impacted by the explosion and offering various services including water testing, pressure washing and carpet cleaning for a fee.
International Paper, through the Unified Command Team, is not currently coordinating with any businesses other than Cotton and CTEH, who are managing the community cleanup.
Gonzalez Utilities, which operates the water system in much of the area most impacted by the IP explosion, is also warning customers that any testing of the water quality should be done by Gonzalez Utilities to eliminate scams. Gonzalez Utilities employees will have the necessary identification to prove their association.
Gonzalez Utilities officials said Monday that the water system has been inspected and no contamination issues have been found..
For more information, contact Unified Command (850) 968-4208 at or Gonzales Utilities at (850) 968-5434.
The Unified Command Team is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
IP Explosion: Coast Guard Joins Cleanup Effort
January 31, 2017
The cleanup and remediation continue following the explosion just over a week ago at International Paper. And now the Coast Guard has joined the effort.
The Coast Guard National Strike Force is working to monitor any potential environmental impact. They are working directly under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect air, water and soil samples from across the area surrounding the Cantonment mill.
The monitoring includes the search for any possible impacts from a pulp and black liquor by-product blown across several neighborhoods during the blast.
Nine Mile Widening Traffic Update
January 31, 2017
This week, both travel lanes of Nine Mile Road will be shifted between Stefani and Waring Roads southward onto temporary asphalt. The shift will allow drainage crews to extend the box culvert under Nine Mile Road.
Also, alternating lane closures will continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews drive temporary sheet pile.
Byrneville Elementary Releases Honor Roll
January 31, 2017
Byrneville Elementary School named the following students to their honor roll for the first nine weeks of the school year:
Mrs.Barberree Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Landon Barrow
Mazie Burkett
Zoey Dunsford
McKenzie Griffis
Olivia Levins
Ruby Lovely
Ashanti Manuel
Bryce Miller
Molly Powell
Zi’nique Smith
Kinley White
Bryce Yoder
Mrs.Coleman Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
Ethan Carter
Anastacia Cooley
Allison Grant
Ta’kayvia Jackson
Brandon Lambeth
Brooklyn Miller
Tyson Milliken
Iviyanah Phifer
Brody Rigby
Natalie Rogers
Ember Claire Waters
Jazzlynn Wesley
Mrs.Seales Kindergarten
All Satisfactory
A’zariyah Elliott
Bryce Giger
Annie Mathis
Kaden Smith
Mrs.Brown 1st grade
A- Honor Roll
Jaxon Anderson
Briley Beers
Lyla Calloway
Emma Godwin
Sydney Little
Nicholas Long
Lola Weldon
A/B- Honor Roll
Blaine Buckhault
LaWayne Grice
Katelyn Levins
Trayton Phifer
Zane Weaver
Cecelia Whorff
Mrs.Kitchin 1st grade
A-Honor Roll
Sierra Carnley
Brylen Hadley
Meeyah Lassitter
Olina Miles
Jordan Mullally
AnnaBelle Odom
Jackson Salter
Olivia Thomas
Audrinna Woods
A/B-Honor Roll
Jacob Bolen
Madelyn Calloway
Kallie Harwell
Aziyah Jackson
Tyson Phifer
Dalton Smith
Taraji Wesley
Mrs.Frankhouser 2nd grade
A/B-Honor Roll
Taylor Curtis
Gabrielle Hawsey
Caleb Levins
Benji Parker
Isaiah Phifer
Jase Portwood
Aleah Therrell
Cannon Whorff
Allison Yoder
Mrs.Linton 2nd grade
A/B-Honor Roll
Autumn Coleman
Crest Waters
Trenton Wright
Mrs.Dunsford 3rd grade
A-Honor Roll
Elizabeth Coleman
Makenzie Levins
Christian Velazquez
A/B-Honor Roll
Cameron Bourgeois
Easten Odom
Braxton Wagner
Charlee Weaver
Mrs. Weaver 3rd grade
A-Honor Roll
Luke Godwin
London Brooks
A/B-Honor Roll
Jaycee Harvell
Savannah Hudson
Ryder Lee
Andrew Plant
Bree Robertson
Evelyn Smith
Malia Smith
Mrs.Marshman 4th grade
A-Honor Roll
Maddie Mae Driskell
Madison Levins
Riley Long
Brian Yoder
A/B-Honor Roll
Kailee Ancell
Ayden Atallah
Braden Glick
Zack Herndon
Jaci Jackson
Mia Kornegay
Mrs.Thornton 4th grade
A-Honor Roll
Kelan Jury
A/B-Honor Roll
Tripp Curtis
Evin Matlock
Addisen Miller
Mia Turner-White
Jayden White
Mrs.Johnston 5th grade
A-Honor Roll
Kaylie Glick
Madalyn Grimes
Kaylee Hamilton
Meredith Johnston
Tyler Riggs
Aydan Smith
A/B-Honor Roll
Adrianna Atallah
Malachi Bolen
Kadence Calvert
Caitlyn Dortch
Nolin Godwin
Isaiah Hetrick
Camron Howell
Josh Johnson
M.J. Smith
Reygan Steadham
Leif Waters
Joe Wright
State Seeks To Keep Feds Out Of Prison Disability Case
January 31, 2017
The Florida Department of Corrections has asked a judge to block the U.S. Department of Justice from intervening in a year-old lawsuit alleging that the state’s prison system has violated the rights of inmates with disabilities.
The Justice Department sought this month to intervene in the case, which was filed in January 2016 by the organization Disability Rights Florida and alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal laws. The Justice Department’s motion to intervene focused on inmates who are deaf or hard of hearing, alleging that the state routinely fails to provide hearing aids, interpreters and types of communication devices that inmates could use to contact attorneys, families or friends.
But the Department of Corrections filed a 21-page document in federal court in Tallahassee, arguing, in part, that the Justice Department took too long to seek to intervene. It said federal officials first expressed concerns about the rights of disabled inmates in 2013 but did not take action.
“During the past year, DRF (Disability Rights Florida) has aggressively pursued this case, interviewing numerous inmate witnesses, employing at least three experts who have conducted many weeks of prison visits, and propounding massive discovery requests that have resulted in the DOC (the Department of Corrections) producing over 190,000 pages of documentation,” the state department argued. “Significantly, upon information and belief, the DOJ (Department of Justice) has been in communication with DRF about the proceedings in this case, yet it did not attempt to intervene in this case until a few weeks ago. Based on the foregoing, the DOJ, which knew of the issues for years, and clearly had an interest, unreasonably delayed its attempt to enter this case.”
by The News Service of Florida