Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Let’s Get To Work On The Session
November 20, 2011
The occasional chill in the air — what passes for a chill in Tallahassee — sent signals that 2011 was drawing to an end. But with an early session slated for 2012 to deal with redistricting, lawmakers were beginning to lay the groundwork for the major proposals of the coming year.
Except, it seemed, for the redistricting debate that prompted the early starting gun.
While the Senate Reapportionment Committee put the finishing touches on its instructions for drawing up a proposed committee bill, the House panel tasked with the once-a-decade redrawing of Florida’s political boundaries hit the pause button. A committee meeting and three sub-committee get-togethers were all canceled, prompting yelps from Democrats that they weren’t getting the full story on the delays.
But even without a slate of redistricting meetings, there were plenty of political hot potatoes to deal with, from destination resorts to insurance reform to a pair of contentious claims bills.
GAMBLING BOOM OR BUST?
The lobbying war over the future of gambling in Florida heated up during the week, with some parts of the business community going all-in to support bringing massive luxury casinos to South Florida. Associated Industries of Florida put its cards on the table, saying it would make the approval of a destination resorts bill its highest priority in the 2012 session.
Among the other groups pushing lawmakers to adopt the proposal were the Latin Builders Association and the Florida United Business Association, with all of the supporters saying that the state could hit a jackpot worth tens of thousands of jobs.
Others business groups say the bill was nothing but bad luck. The Florida Chamber of Commerce has lined up with Disney and the Florida Retail Federation to say the proposal isn’t worth it.
But even after the first committee meeting on the proposal, it wasn’t clear where the chips might fall. The meeting of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee featured a lobbyist saying “bulls**t” and a panoply of concerns from all sides.
The bill could lead to expansions of gambling in the rest of the state, some opponents noted, though gambling interests said no other part of the state would support the $2 billion minimum investments required by the bill.
“There would be opportunity for this across the state of Florida if the bill was structured differently,” said Alan Feldman, senior vice president of MGM Resorts. “At $2 billion, this is a South Florida bill.”
But even some gambling lobbyists were skittish about having too many players at the table. Andy Abboud, vice president of government relations for Las Vegas Sands, told lawmakers to be careful about “market saturation.” And pari-mutuel racetracks were worried about the competition.
The only thing guaranteed was a roll of the dice. Senate President Mike Haridopolos told reporters Wednesday “we will have a vote on some type of destination resorts bill on the floor up or down. This is not me pushing members to vote yes or no.”
PIP SQUAWKING
Also debuting this week: An assault on fraud that Gov. Rick Scott and others say is costing motorists almost $1 billion a year in higher car-insurance premiums. Scott kicked off the drive to change things, holding a press conference with Cabinet members, law enforcement officers and industry lobbyists and blaming staged crashes, bogus clinics and unnecessary medical procedures for raising the cost of personal injury protection insurance.
“It’s a $900 million tax on consumers,” Scott told reporters and lobbyists representing physicians, hospitals, plaintiff’s attorneys, providers and insurance companies. “.. Crashes are down but costs are up. That makes absolutely no sense. It’s happening because our current laws are being taken advantage of.”
The next day, House and Senate members began gauging proposals that would make a number of changes to rules surrounding the $10,000 benefit created in the 1970s to encourage injured motorists to seek medical attention and stay out of court.
A House proposal would limit rates and the number of chiropractic or massage treatments within a 12-month period for accident victims, cap attorneys fees for legal cases and ban benefits to recipients who submit fraudulent or exaggerated claims. Insurance companies would also face new regulations.
The Senate also began looking at efforts to craft a solution at a midweek hearing. Likely areas would include placing restrictions or bans on attorney referral services, a move supported by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, hinted other likely areas to be addressed include requiring clinics to be headed by physicians, and some limitations on the number of procedures allowed during the course of treatment.
But supporters of the crackdown saw a potential speed bump in the fierce debate ahead.
“It’s going to be a war,” said House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee Chairman Bryan Nelson, R-Apopka. “It’s not a bill that everybody is going to say yes, yes, yes…. the chiropractors won’t like it, the docs maybe won’t like it, the trial attorneys won’t like it.”
CLAIMING VICTORIES?
Two claims bills that are priorities of Senate President Mike Haridopolos also got started along the legislative path, but one of them still threatened to turn into a lobbyist food-fight.
The Senate Rules Committee voted 9-1 to move forward with SB 4, which calls for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to pay $15.575 million to Eric Brody, who suffered debilitating injuries in a 1998 car accident with a sheriff’s deputy.
A lobbyist for the sheriff’s office insurer said the bill is part of “scheme” by Brody’s attorneys to bring what is known as a bad-faith lawsuit against his client despite the insurer’s willingness to pay $8.5 million to Brody to settle the dispute but has been rebuffed.
But Lance Block, an attorney for Brody, said $8.5 million would not cover the costs to care for the Broward County man, who suffered brain damage and was in a coma for six months after the accident.
Rules Chairman John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, implored the two sides to try to reach an agreement to end the dispute.
“This case cries out to be resolved,” Thrasher said. “Eric Brody needs to be helped.”
Haridopolos has made a priority of passing claims bills to provide money to Brody and William Dillon, who spent 27 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted in a 1981 murder in Brevard County. The bills could pass the Senate during the first week of the 2012 legislative session.
Haridopolos highlighted the bills when they died in the chaotic denouement of last year’s legislative session, and has repeatedly vowed to push them through this year. He renewed a promise on the Dillon Tuesday. This year, Haridopolos said he sees no reason not to make it known to the House that it is a priority for him to pass the bill.
“The House is very well aware of this bill,” Haridopolos said, saying he didn’t think the house “will want to play games anymore,” and urged them to “do the right thing.”
LEAVING THE TAJ MAHAL
But at least one Capitol saga seemed to be inching toward a conclusion. Embattled First District Court of Appeal Judge and noted vinegar-lover Paul Hawkes said he would resign Jan. 4, ending one chapter of the embarrassing saga over the court’s lavish new headquarters and short-circuiting an inquiry into Hawkes’ role in the controversy.
Hawkes’ resignation letter to Scott never mentioned the looming Judicial Qualifications Commission hearing set to begin Jan. 30, but the case has drawn attention for the sharply critical legal briefings filed by both sides, which had included quotes from former Gov. Jeb Bush, Alice in Wonderland and Shakespeare to highlight their points.
The crux of the dispute, though, was Hawkes role in the construction of his court’s lavish new building on the outskirts of Tallahassee and what Special Counsel Wallace Pope characterized as Hawkes’ browbeating and demeaning style of leadership.
But there were also fears that shutting down the JQC hearings could keep Floridians in the dark about how the proposal for a new home for the court morphed into the palatial “Taj Mahal” courthouse.
“The taxpayers, the citizens of Florida, will never get many questions answered, unfortunately,” said Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican who was one of Hawkes’ most vocal critics.
Along those lines, House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders called for an investigation into how Florida lawmakers funded the $50 million structure.
“I am concerned that as we enter a legislative session where budget cuts will be considered that could cause great harm to needy infants and senior citizens, it remains unclear how this lavish facility got approved for funding,” Saunders, D-Key West, wrote in a letter to House Appropriations Committee chairwoman Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The debate over a controversial proposal to bring luxury casinos to Florida — expected to be one of the most heavily-lobbied measures in the 2012 legislative session — begins in earnest.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I had three points I was going to make and I thought, ‘Oh boy. I hope I remember the three.’” –Gov. Rick Scott, to The Palm Beach Post, talking about his interview with the paper’s editorial board. Scott was referring to a gaffe by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Scott’s political hero, during a recent presidential debate.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Featured Recipe: Two Hour Turkey Streamlines Thanksgiving
November 20, 2011
Today’s featured recipe, from columnist Janet Tharpe, is a Two-Hour Turkey that quickly roasts the turkey in the oven at a high heat.
Joyce Ann Komorowski
November 20, 2011
Joyce Ann Komorowski, 61, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2011, at the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Residence. She was born in Clanton, AL, and resided in Molino. Joyce was a very caring and loving person.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Stephen “Butch” Komorowski.
We would like to thank the nurses and staff of Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Residence for the wonderful and thoughtful care they gave her. Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. We will always love you.
Football Playoff Roundup
November 19, 2011
Final playoff football scores from around the area Friday night:
Northview 67, Wewahitchka 14 [Read more, photo galleries...]
Freeport 32 Vernon 18
Northview hosts Freeport next week
Tallahassee Godby 58, West Florida 17 [Read more...]
Elba 33, Flomaton 23
PHS 27, Choctaw 22
Wakulla 33, Gulf Breeze 17
Pace 42, Niceville 41 (3OT)
Northview Chiefs Destroy Wewahitchka In Semifinal Game 67-14
November 19, 2011
The Northview Chiefs destroyed the Wewahitchka Gators 67-14 in round one of 1A playoff action Friday night in Bratt.
It was the biggest win in the history of Northview High School — the 67 points set a new school record for the number of points in a game, thanks to a final touchdown at the buzzer from Andrew Farrow.
The win was so big, it even surprised Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley.
“The plan was to hopefully play a good football game and win,” Wheatley said. “I didn’t expect it to be like this, to be quite honest with you. I’m very proud of the effort tonight.”
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, band and dance team, click here.
Things were looking really bad for the Wewa Gators very early — just seconds into the second quarter, Northview was already up 35-0.
The Chiefs opened the scoring with a 45-yard pass from Brandon Sheets to sophomore Dalton Daniel with 9:26 to go in the first quarter. A good kick, and the Chiefs were up 7-0. LaMikal Kyles added a 46-yard touchdown run — his first of three. And Sheets hit Kyles with a 45-yard pass to round out the first quarter.
Roderick Woods was in on a 1-yard run for another Chiefs touchdown with 11:09 to go in the second quarter. Wewa scored ona 19-yard pass with 7:54 in the second. Northview answered with a 14-yard TD run from Montaio Mitchell and an 80-yard run from Kyles, who had just over 200 yards total offense on the night.
Daniel returned a fumble for a 50-yard touchdown with 9:12 on the clock in the third for his second touchdown of the night, and Vaughan picked up a 34-yard TD run with 11:10 in the fourth.
“The offense was tremendous. I thought our defense hung in there and battled,” he said. “It was a great night for Northview tonight.”
With the big win over the Wewa Gators, the Chiefs advance to the regional finals next Friday night. They will host Freeport, which defeated Vernon 32-18 Friday night.
“Next week, I just told the kids, it’s only going to get tougher. We’ve got to have a great week of preparation. We’ll enjoy it this weekend, but know that when Monday comes, we’ve got to go back to work. We’ve set some goals for ourselves. We want to keep working and try to reach those,” Wheatley added.
- For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
- For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, band and dance team, click here.
Pictured top: Junior LaMikal Kyles in for a Chiefs touchdown, one of three touchdowns he made Friday night as Northview beat Wewahitchka in Bratt. Pictured insetd: More action as the Chiefs advance to the regional finals next Friday night. Pictured below: Northview QB Brandon Sheets (#8) passes for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Events Today Offer Art, Entertainment, Holiday Shopping, Fruit And Nuts, More
November 19, 2011
Several events around North Escambia today will offer unique entertainment and holiday shopping.
Mini Expo/Christmas Shopping
A mini expo from local home based businesses will be held at the Barrineau Park Community Center, 6055 Barrineau Park School Road from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Great Christmas shopping with alterations, jewelry maker, cake decorator, Mary Kay, Avon, Miche Bag, 31 Bags and more. Lunch available from the Highland Baptist Church youth, $7 per plate.
Art @ The Farm
Art @ The Farm will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until on Rease Seales Road in Nokomis. Free admission, pony rides, pottery, food, music, jewelry and more. Directions and info: www.artatthefarm.blogspot.com.
Dried Fruit and Nuts Sale
Fresh crop sale of dried fruits and nuts, direct from California. Over 50 different kids of fruits and nuts will be available 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. during this one day sale at Steve’s Farm, Highway 99 1.25 miles south of Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Click here for more info.
Market At St. Monica’s Holiday Craft Fair
The Market at Saint Monica’s will hold a Holiday Craft Fair Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at the church on Highway 95A in Cantonment. Crafts, baked goods, produce and more. (850) 937-0001.
Pictured above: Shoppers at last year’s Art at the Farm in Nokomis. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Playoff Hopes Dashed By Elba
November 19, 2011
Top-ranked Elba defeated No. 6 Flomaton Friday night 33-23 in the quarterfinals of the 2A Alabama playoffs.
The Hurricanes scored with a 22-yard field goal from Hunter Bonds and an 18-yard touchdown from Ryheem Dixon in the first quarter. In the third, Dixon hit Neiko Robinson with an 8-yard touchdown pass. Flomaton’s final score cam on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Bonds.
For Flomaton, it was only the second time in over 80 years that Hurricanes had advanced to the quarterfinals.
Pictured: Flomaton takes on Elba Friday night in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kenny Shivers, click to enlarge.
Occupy Pensacola Protester Now Occupies Jail Cell
November 19, 2011
An Occupy Pensacola protestor has been charged with stealing furniture from his neighbor and using it as the group camped out at Pensacola City Hall.
Jeffrey Lewis Scott, 32, was charged with felony burglary and larceny. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $20,000.
The victim told deputies that he observed property that he had previously reported stolen in Scott’s van parked alongside the curb on Heather Oaks Drive. Scott admitted to deputies that he taken the furniture.
“Yes, I took the furniture. I was going to give it back, but haven’t had the chance to,” Scott told deputies, according to an arrest report, before starting to remove his clothing while walking back toward deputies. Scott was taken into custody, at which time he told the arresting deputy that he had entered his next door neighbor’s house where he took multiple pieces of furniture without permission.
“I am solely guilty of the charges and I accept the responsibility,” Scott told deputies.
Deputies found four chairs, three cushions and four pillows — all stolen — in his residence, along with several sofa cushions in his van. He told deputies that the remaining furniture stolen from his neighbor was outside the Pensacola City Hall at the Occupy Pensacola camp.
Going Nuts: Crowds Attended Fruit And Nut Sale
November 19, 2011
Crowds were waiting in line Saturday morning to shop the annual one-day Dried Fruit and Nuts Sale at Steve’s Farm in Walnut Hill. The sale offered a variety of dried fruits and nuts, direct from California. There were over 50 different kinds of fruits and nuts available.
Submitted photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tallahassee Godby Beats West Florida In Semis
November 19, 2011
The best season ever for West Florida came to an end Friday night in round one of the playoff as Tallahassee Godby stopped the Jagys 58-17 in Pensacola.
The Jags took an early lead with two touchdowns from Jalen Jones — the first a 4-yard reception and the second a one-yarder rushing. But then the Cougars racked up 24 unanswered points and never looked back.
The West Florida Jags finished their season at 9-2, a vast improvement over the school’s 1-9 record last year.