Senate Passes Jobless Package, Sends Back To House
May 4, 2011
An unemployment compensation bill that would reduce the length of benefits unless the jobless rate gets particularly high passed the Senate on Tuesday, sending the measure back to the House with just days left in the 20111 session.
The House had earlier passed the bill (HB 7005), but the Senate made some changes to that bill Tuesday to try to take some of the bite out of it for the unemployed. The Senate then passed the bill 29-10 and sent it back to the House for approval of the changes.
“The best way to help unemployed people is to see that businesses are healthy so we can find you a job,” said Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, and sponsor of the Senate version (SB 728.) Businesses pay into the unemployment compensation fund.
The bill would maintain the current 26 weeks of state benefits when the jobless rate is above 12 percent. Until that threshold is reached, benefits would be capped at 20 weeks. The unemployment rate in Florida in March was 11.1 percent, meaning
The bill does not affect federal unemployment benefits or food stamps.
Tuesday’s vote came over the objections of Democrats who said the changes unfairly target workers during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. They also dismissed the argument that the duration of benefits could be reduced when the unemployment rate falls because it would be easier for the jobless to find work.
“The purpose of unemployment is to provide financial benefits to folks so they will be in a position to maintain some quality of life, though I dare not say decent,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. “It’s the wrong time to do this. I know businesses are hurting but so are the people.”
The bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday was less aggressive than the plan proposed by the House, which would cut the number of weeks of state eligibility to a maximum of 20 weeks. The House plan would also reduce the number of weeks as the jobless rate drops. Both bills could cut the number of weeks of unemployment compensation to as little as 12 weeks.
The current maximum unemployment benefit dollar amount stays the same under the measure, at $275 a week, which opponents pointed out is already near the bottom of states. Federal statistics show the state’s average weekly benefit is just over $230. Employers, who pay into a state trust fund on the first $7,000 of a worker’s wages, have complained that they’ve been hard hit by increases in the tax, which has gone up as unemployment has increased.
Even worse for businesses, the state trust fund has dropped into the red and has had to borrow about $2 billion from the federal government to pay benefits. Interest on that is due, and that payment is being passed on to businesses.
“We need to take all those competing interests, come up with a bill that is fair to everyone – almost impossible- while at the same time work toward making the unemployment trust fund healthy once again,” Detert said.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Books To Honor Memory Of Tate Freshman
May 4, 2011
Students at Pensacola State College’s Collegiate High School collected over 600 books to honor a 15-year old Tate High student who passed away suddenly in March.
The PSC students collected the books in honor of Gabriel Carter. The books will be donated to Delaine Wright, a sixth grade reading teacher at Bellview Middle School. Wright was Carter’s middle school reading teacher. A memorial honoring Carter will be placed in her classroom.
Carter, a freshman, collapsed in a Tate High classroom in late March and died.
State Attorney: Officer Involved Shooting Was Justified
May 4, 2011
The State Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that an officer involved shooting back in January was justified.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Courtney Clanton fired shots at a suspect’s vehicle as the suspect drove towards him in an aggressive manner. In the early morning hours of January 12, deputies responded to an officer in trouble call on New Forest Court after 50-year-old Harold Anthony Baggett, of Pensacola, confronted Clanton.
Clanton was standing outside near the roadway when he was approached by Baggett (pictured), who was driving a silver Honda. Baggett asked Clanton if he was a cop and Deputy Clanton identified himself as a deputy sheriff. Baggett then drove his vehicle towards Clanton in an aggressive manner.
Fearing for his life, Clanton fired shots at the vehicle. As a result, Baggett suffered gunshot wounds but was able to flee the area. He was later found at a residence in the 700 block of Deedra Avenue.
Baggett was treated and released from Sacred Heart Hospital. He is awaiting trial on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and remains in the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Clanton, who has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2006, was placed on routine administrative leave pending the results of the on-going investigation.
Clanton and Baggett both live in the same subdivision just north of East 10 Mile Road.
Karen Lorraine Gilley
May 4, 2011
Karen Lorraine Gilley, 53, of Cantonment, passed away on May 1, 2011.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Bible Baptist Church, 1173 Jo Jo Road, Pensacola. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service begins at 11:00 a.m. also at the church.
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Florida Budget Deal Reached
May 3, 2011
Setting the stage for a timely ending of session, House and Senate conferees early Tuesday reached a deal on the state’s $68 billion spending plan that includes $308 million in tax breaks, and no cuts to the state’s Medically Needy program or substance abuse efforts.
In what Gov. Rick Scott called “a great first step” and a “huge win” for business owners, the plan will take some businesses off the corporate tax rolls. Though that falls far short of the tax rate cut he wanted, Scott pledged that he will continue to push for more, and said getting a reduced version was “part of the legislative process.”
“The House and Senate budget committees have produced a budget that meets my core principles,” Scott said in a post-Cabinet availability with reporters. “The business tax cut is a huge win for business owners in Florida. It’s a great first step toward phasing out the business tax over seven years.”
Legislative budget chiefs Sen. JD Alexander and Rep. Denise Grimsley announced the pact Tuesday morning after nearly all-night negotiations between the chambers to bring the budget in for a landing, a difficult task as they faced a $3.8 billion shortfall.
“This has been a remarkable year for all the wrong reasons,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, told members following the budget announcement.
The last major sticking point was in the health and human services area, but several issues came together on that to greatly reduce the likelihood of an overtime session.
Alexander also told reporters Tuesday morning that an agreement was at hand over expanding the use of managed care to serve the state’s 2 million Medicaid recipients.
The budget deal includes a total of almost $700 million in Medicaid rate cuts for hospitals and nursing homes. Of that, hospitals took a $510 million hit, as they absorbed a 12 percent cut. But lawmakers spared some other big ticket programs from cuts, including adult mental health and substance abuse treatment and the Medically Needy program, which serves people who have debilitating illnesses but don’t qualify for Medicaid.
By The News Service of Florida
Gene Inman
May 3, 2011
Mr. Gene Inman, 72, passed away on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, in Jay.
Mr. Inman was a native of New Brocton, AL, a resident of Jay, FL, for the past 60 years and attended the Holy Ground Holiness Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Carrie Inman; a great-grandson, Joshua Caleb Wilson; and a grandson, Joseph Tyler Morgan..
Survivors include his wife, Patty Inman of Jay; two sons, William Inman and Allen Inman, both of Jay; a stepson, Daniel Wood of Jay; two daughters, Frances and Wesley Norton of Bay Minette, AL, and Alice and Jesse McLemore of Cantonment; two stepdaughters, Evelyn and Cliff Emmons of Brewton, and Belinda and Daniel Morgan of Atmore; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a arother, J.C. Inman of Pace; and two sisters, Ruby and Mike Egenlauf, and Mary Ann and Wesley Smith, both of East Point, FL.
Graveside services will be held Friday, May 6, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cora Baptist Cemetery with Sister Cathy Stophel and the Rev. Bobby Carnley officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 5, 2011, from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Chris Wood, Eric Wood, James Inman, Daniel Wood, Rex Allen and Daniel Morgan. Honorary pallbearers will be Brenton Emmons, Byron Ratliff and Cliff Emmons.
Century Awards $74K Contract For HVAC Replacement At 3 Buildings
May 3, 2011
The Town of Century has awarded a $74,367 contract to replace the heating and cooling systems at three town buildings.
The contract was awarded to Andrews Air of Pensacola to replace all of the HVAC systems at the Century Town Hall and the town’s Agricultural Building and the former Helicopter Technology building in the Century Industrial Park.
The older HVAC systems at the three buildings are being replaced to with new, energy efficient units in an effort to reduce the town’s annual power consumption.
Bids on the project ranged from Andrews Air’s low bid of $74,367 to Shuford Heating & Air’s high bid of $101,421.
Bids received on the project were:
- Andrews Air of Pensacola, $74,367
- Lunsford Air Conditioning & Heating, Milton, $78,315
- Commander Air, Pensacola, $81,652
- J. Miller Construction, Pensacola, $94,583
- Peaden Hobbs Mechanical, Navarre, $95,552
- Air Refrigeration & Contracting LLC, Brewton, $98,303
- Shuford Heating & Air, Pensacola, $101,421
Future Dimmer For Florida Bright Futures Scholarships
May 3, 2011
Students eligible for Bright Futures scholarships next year will see their awards slashed by 20 percent in the biggest cut to the popular college aid program since its inception.
Under a budget deal lawmakers agreed to late last week, Bright Futures awards will be cut 20 percent per student. Lawmakers also agreed to raise the number of community service hours students have to complete to be eligible for a scholarship, and will start requiring students to complete a federal financial aid form to get a scholarship.
Lawmakers say these cuts were a necessary evil in a difficult budget year.
“This is the worst budget we’ve ever had, ever since I’ve been in the Legislature, let’s see, 18 years,” said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, the head of the Senate higher education budget committee. “The revenue to the state is extremely low and everyone in every sector of the state will have to lower their budgets from where they were.”
At the same time that the state’s popular student aid program is being cut, lawmakers also want to raise tuition by 8 percent, giving universities the option to hike tuition another 7 percent above that amount. Florida’s in-state tuition is one of the lowest in the nation and universities have used double-digit increases in a bid to move closer to the national average.
Opposition to the cuts in the higher education budget has been muted. Even many Democrats, who in general oppose the Republican-written budget, say they understand the decision to cut Bright Futures.
“It’s a good program, but I don’t think it really meets all the needs it should be meeting,” said Rep. Betty Reed, D-Tampa. “The students that really need it are not able to receive it.”
Some critics of Bright Futures believe it favors students that don’t need help paying tuition because it’s based on merit, not need.
Many lawmakers said they would support adding a needs-based component to the scholarship. Requiring students next year to fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid to get a Bright Futures is a small step toward gathering the data as a possible precursor to adding that needs-based component.
“The whole purpose of merit was to make sure we have more students stay in Florida, go to school in Florida, graduate and then remain at getting jobs here,” said Lynn, indicating she wouldn’t support a needs-based component.
The merit-based scholarship program was established in 1997 to prevent a brain drain of Florida students to out-of-state colleges. It has largely achieved that goal, with over 180,000 students last year, up from the roughly 42,000 students who applied during the program’s first year.
This is the third year average awards for the Bright Futures scholarship will drop. The program gives students who receive certain SAT scores and grade point averages a scholarship to use for college.
Last year lawmakers agreed to a $1 per credit hour drop and toughened eligibility requirements. Several years ago the Legislature also voted to stop paying the full tuition cost with Bright Futures awards.
Spending on Bright Futures peaked at $429 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year with an average student award of $2,533. This year, lawmakers decided on a budget of just over $350 million for Bright Futures.
That means students who were eligible for the Academic Scholars award of $1,875 for 15 credit hours this year would receive only $1,500 for 15 credit hours next year. Students receiving the Medallion Scholars award this year got $1,410 for 15 credit hours; next year they will get $1,128 for the same amount of hours.
These cuts are a compromise between Senate and House positions. The Senate originally wanted a steeper cut of $1,000 per award while the House suggested a cut of roughly 15 percent.
Students question whether cuts to Bright Futures will eventually unclog the brain drain, tempting students away from Florida. Florida A&M University graduate student Gallop Franklin, the head of the Florida Student Association, said it’s time for “a complete restructuring” of Bright Futures.
Franklin said that since Bright Futures was changed two years ago so that it no longer covers the full tuition cost, it has not proved as valuable to students. He supports adding a needs-based component.
“It’s not meeting the needs and it’s not providing the type of support for students it did years ago,” Franklin said.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Todd Creighton Wilson
May 3, 2011
Todd Creighton Wilson, 42 of Cantonment passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011. He was a lifetime resident of Cantonment and a 1986 graduate of Tate High School. He was employed by IP for 21 years. Todd loved spending time with his family, watching the Food Network and cooking for his guys. Todd loved boating at the beach on beautiful days and eating at Peg Leg Pete’s. He was very kind and giving. Todd adored his wife, Rosa, his soul mate and was most proud of his son, Seth.
Todd was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert B. Creighton, Sr.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Felisia Kennedy and James (Pop) Kennedy.
Todd is survived by his wife of 16 years, Rosa Wilson; six-year old son, Seth; grandparents, Mary C. Creighton and Annie Wilson of Pensacola; parents, Bobbie Jean Wilson and Mark Baird; father, Ned Wilson, Jr. of Cantonment; brother, Ned Wilson III (Ana) of Missouri; sister, Brandy King (Tracy) of Cantonment; brother and sister-in-law, Matt & Sandie Kennedy of Milton; nieces, Brittney Kennedy and Elisa Wilson; nephews, Travis & Justin King, and Jayden Wilson; and loving family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. God Bless you, we love you and we will always miss you.
Funeral service were 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Eddie and Jane Faircloth officiating. Burial followed at Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be L.T. Thomas, Kevin Parker, Brian Parker, Brian Pitts, Kevin Wiggins and Greg McCreless. Honorary pallbearers will be Rip Holt, Steve Shelby, Terry Williams, Stuart Dorman, Tommy Hilley, Robert Creighton, III, Shawn Creighton, Edgar Navida, William Cox (Wildman), and Al Buchanan.
Doris L. Barnes
May 3, 2011
Doris L. Barnes, 84, of Warsaw, Mo., formley of Uriah, Al. died Sunday May 1, 2011.
She was retired from Monsanto, born in Monroe County, Alabama on July 9, 1926, to the late Lee and Stella Simpson Holder.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Barnes and a son Robert Bobby Barnes.
Survivors included a daughter, Susan Boyer and husband, Bill of Warsaw, Mo.; three grandchildren, Corey Boyer, Dustin Boyer and Ryan Boyer; five great grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Holder of Molino, and Charles Holder of Rio, Wis. and one sister, Jeanette Brannon of Panama City.
Services will be at 10 a.m., Friday May 6, 2011, from the First Baptist Church of Uriah. Interment will follow in Uriah Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Thursday evening May 5, 2011, at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. in Atmore in charge of all arrangements.