Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Redistricting Done, Prison Privatization
February 12, 2012
The late Senate President Jim King used to talk about trying to get everyone together to sing “Kumbaya.”
The Capitol this week didn’t exactly teem with lawmakers holding hands and belting out a tune.
The House passed a $69.2 billion budget Thursday along straight party lines, with Republicans saying it was a responsible plan in tight times and Democrats saying it was, well, “half-witted.”
A short time later, the Senate gave final approval to redistricting maps — only to be greeted immediately by a Democratic Party-backed legal challenge.
Meanwhile, chatter continued in the Capitol about divisions within the Senate, as President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, tried to round up enough votes to pass a controversial prison-privatization plan.
MONEY — AND FUR — FLIES: The House budget plan will increase public-school funding by about $1 billion and avoid tax hikes. But Democrats criticized proposals that ranged from raising university tuition to limiting how many times Medicaid patients can get treatment in emergency rooms.
“I cannot support a budget that is balanced on the backs of Florida’s middle class and hard-working Floridians,” said House Minority Leader Ron Saunders, D-Key West.
Republicans, however, said they made the best of a budget that, by some estimates, has a shortfall of as much as $2 billion.
“The budget before you meets our responsibility to provide health-care services to Florida’s most vulnerable while also living within our means and keeping our taxes low,” said Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa.
Amid the back-and-forth, House Republicans and Democrats joined together on one high-profile issue: They unanimously approved setting aside $10 million to keep open a Jefferson County prison.
Senate subcommittees also offered budget proposals this week that included a $1.2 billion increase for public schools. Other parts of the budget braced for cuts, including hospitals and substance-abuse and mental-health treatment programs.
Some Republicans bristled at the budget proposal that emerged in the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Among other things, they questioned the inclusion of local projects that Gov. Rick Scott vetoed last year.
“If the governor vetoed these dollars, why are we putting them back in the budget?” Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, asked.
FROM THE CAPITOL TO THE COURTROOM: Barely halfway through the session, lawmakers finalized new maps for legislative and congressional districts.
But the once-a-decade reapportionment process is far from finished. The GOP-dominated Legislature and opponents now will argue in court about whether the maps comply with constitutional requirements.
Within moments of a final Senate vote Thursday, the state Democratic Party announced a lawsuit contending that the maps violate a 2010 anti-gerrymandering constitutional amendment.
“Now the courts have to step in to implement the will of the people — a job the GOP in Tallahassee failed to accomplish,” Democratic Chairman Rod Smith said.
Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, fired back at opponents, though he knew challenges would be coming.
“The sad part is, now the taxpayers of Florida have to be dragged into court by special-interest groups who always intended to be dissatisfied,” Gaetz said.
While the legal issues still need to be resolved, the maps have already led to jockeying among politicians. As an example, longtime Republican Congressman John Mica announced Friday he will run in a reconfigured Central Florida district that also includes Republican Congresswoman Sandy Adams.
As another example, state Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, said Thursday he won’t run this year in the new House District 5, but announced his candidacy for the seat in 2014. That clears the way for Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, who also lives in the Panhandle district, to run without another incumbent in the primary. Coley will be term-limited in two years.
COUNTING VOTES: Haridopolos this week continued to delay a vote on a plan to privatize prisons across the southern half of the state.
The president and Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, have made the issue a priority, saying it would save money for the state. But Haridopolos has acknowledged that he likely didn’t have enough votes to pass the measure when it first went to the Senate floor last month.
He wouldn’t say Thursday whether he has convinced enough Republican members to go along with the proposal. But he said he expects to bring it up for a vote Tuesday.
“It’s a very close vote,” Haridopolos said.
Republican splits also appeared this week about a proposal that would add new restrictions on medical-malpractice lawsuits and expand drug-prescribing powers for optometrists.
The Florida Medical Association and the optometric industry, which have battled for years about drug prescribing, negotiated a deal that helped lead to a 65-page “strike all” amendment in the Senate Health Regulation Committee.
Gaetz and Rules Chairman John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, pushed the amendment through the committee, despite efforts by four Republicans to eliminate parts of the medical-malpractice restrictions.
Gaetz described the proposal as a “peace treaty” because it would resolve the fight among doctors and optometrists about prescribing oral medications. In exchange for going along the optometrists’ expanded prescribing powers, the FMA would receive medical-malpractice restrictions that it has made a top priority.
But the process appeared to trouble committee Chairman Rene Garcia, a Hialeah Republican who fought unsuccessfully to remove one of the malpractice changes that he indicated wouldn’t do enough to protect patients.
When asked after the meeting about the deal, Garcia replied simply, “I wasn’t part of the deal.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: A Senate vote Thursday finalized legislative and congressional maps, carrying out the constitutional requirement that lawmakers draw new district lines every 10 years. The issue now will move into the courts, where Democrats have already started a legal challenge.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This budget looks at only one side of the equation, folks. It’s a half-budget. It’s halfway, half-witted and half-hearted. And one more half-word that I can’t say on the floor of the House.” -Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth.
By The News Service of Florida
Birth: Breanna Nicole Johnson
February 12, 2012
Josh and Heather Johnson are proud to announce the birth of Breanna Nicole Johnson. Breanna was born Wednesday, February 1 and weighed 8-pounds, 12 ounces.
Breanna’s grandparents are Marcus and Tinia Hennington of Cantonment, Billy Cox of Alabama and Elizabeth Cox of Pensacola, and Sandy Standford of Newman, GA.
Feds Reject Florida Medicaid Copay Plan
February 12, 2012
Taking aim at a controversial piece of Florida’s Medicaid overhaul, federal health officials this week rejected hitting beneficiaries with $10 monthly premiums and charges for some emergency-room visits.
The federal Medicaid agency, in a letter dated Thursday, notified the state that the proposals violated federal requirements that are designed, at least in part, to shield poor people from additional costs.
Democratic lawmakers and advocates for Medicaid beneficiaries, such as the group Florida CHAIN, blasted the proposals last year when the Republican-controlled Legislature included them in a massive plan to revamp Medicaid.
Florida CHAIN released a statement Saturday describing the proposals as “too extreme and too dangerous to be given serious consideration.”
“Congress already allows states to require Medicaid recipients to contribute to their care, but there are limits on what states can charge the poorest because they can afford so little,” the advocacy group said. “Legislative leaders knew that but were unconcerned, repeatedly insisting that they had provided ‘a hundred different reasons’ for the federal government to approve their request.”
While controversial, the proposed charges were a relatively small part of Florida’s move to overhaul Medicaid. The key part of the overhaul would eventually shift almost all beneficiaries into managed-care plans — an idea that remains under federal review.
Republican leaders argue the overhaul is needed to control costs and to improve fragmented care in the Medicaid system. Critics, however, have long contended that the changes could hurt beneficiaries.
One of the proposals rejected this week by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would have required most beneficiaries enrolled in managed-care plans to pay $10 monthly premiums.
In the submitting the proposal to federal officials in August, the state Agency for Health Care Administration said it was part of a legislative effort to ensure that beneficiaries are “active participants in the program.”
“The Florida Legislature intended that eligibility for Medicaid include certain personal responsibilities on the part of recipients,” AHCA said in the proposal. “The new law includes provisions on participation in activities to promote healthy behaviors and modest financial participation in the program.”
The other rejected proposal would have imposed $100 co-payments on beneficiaries if they go to emergency rooms for non-emergency care. Lawmakers hoped the change would reduce costly emergency-room visits for care that could be provided in places such as doctors’ office or clinics.
In Thursday’s letter, the federal Medicaid agency said the proposed $100 charges were higher than allowed in federal law. But it also indicated concerns about Medicaid beneficiaries unnecessarily using emergency rooms.
“CMS shares the state’s goal of promoting cost-effective use of hospital emergency department services, and we will be happy to work with you to consider alternative approaches to meeting this goal,” the letter said.
By The News Service of Florida
Franklin Paul White
February 12, 2012
Franklin Paul White, of Pensacola passed away Sunday, February 12, 2012, in Pensacola. He was born in Atmore, on April 5, 1963, to the late David F. and Ruby Presley White. He was an engineer with Cellxion Corporation in Shreveport, LA.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer White Ansardi of Belle Chase, LA.; sisters; Francine Wilson of Atmore, Nancy Pace of Canton, GA, Marsha Wright of Pensacola, Connie Gibson of Pensacola, and Judy Kendrick of Pensacola; brothers Russell “Wayne” White of Atmore, David “Mike” White of Pensacola, Richard D. White of Atmore, Wendell F. White of Pensacola, Thomas A. White of Brewton, and Phillip “Terry” White of Atmore; and two grandchildren Collin Warren and Bryleigh Ansardi of Belle Chase, LA.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 13, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Presley Cemetery in Nokomis, AL.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 13, 2012, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore.
Hard Freeze Warning, Low About 20 Tonight
February 11, 2012
There is a hard freeze warning in effect for tonight. Lower twenties are forecast over the entire region, with some upper teens possible inland at other normally colder locations.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 10 and 20 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast.
- Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
- Saturday: Isolated showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Gulf Power Looks To Lower Bills Just A Bit
February 11, 2012
Pointing to lower natural-gas costs, Gulf Power Company wants to trim customers’ monthly electric bills.
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday will consider a Gulf Power proposal to pass along fuel savings to customers starting March 1. A residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month — a common measuring stick — would see a $3.33, or 2.6 percent, reduction, according to a PSC staff recommendation.
Power-plant fuel costs are a major component of electric bills and are passed through to customers. The PSC approved projected 2012 fuel costs in November, but the Pensacola-based Gulf Power sought a revision last month because of lower-than-expected gas prices.
I-10 Wreck Claims Life Of Escambia County Woman
February 11, 2012
One person was killed in a wreck Friday night on I-10 near the Pine Forest Road exit – one of three wrecks over a three mile stretch of interstate.
In the first accident about 7:15 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old Thomas Herbert Crowley, Jr. was traveling east on I-10 between Pine Forest Road and Highway 29 in a semi-truck when he moved into the lane occupied by a Honda Civic driven by Nicole Anne Frey, 24.
Frey’s Honda Civic then cross the median and hit a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by Shannon Lacey Morgan, 23. Morgan and passenger Bobby Joe Mason, 21, both of Calhoun City, MS, were seriously injured and transported to West Florida Hospital.
Frey was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she passed away at 9:06 p.m.
Charges against Crowley are pending the FHP’s investigation.
The second accident involved an overturned pickup in the I-10 median near the Highway 29 exit, while the third involved a car into a wooded area also near the Highway 29 exit. Details on those crashes, including the names of those involved, have not yet been released. The accidents remain under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 11, 2012
At least one person was injured in a traffic crash Friday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 7:35 at Highway 29 at Woodland Street, near the Cantonment Fire Department. A female was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The crash tied up traffic on Highway 29 for about 45 minutes.
Further details on the crash have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above and below: One person was injured in this accident Friday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Man Robs Friend On The Way To Ensley Walmart
February 11, 2012
A friendship likely ended late Friday night as an Escambia County man robbed his friend while the pair were on their way to the Ensley Walmart.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Clyde William McArthur and his friend, Robbin Decker, were on their way to Walmart when McArthur pushed Decker off his bicycle and began hitting him several times.
McArthur then fled on foot. Decker told deputies that his wallet, and undisclosed amount of money and the headlight from his bicylce were stolen by McArthur.
Deputies located McArthur in the immediate area, along with the victim’s wallet. He was also in possession of the exact amount and denominations of money that the victim reported stolen. The victim positively identified McArthur as the suspect who robbed him.
McArthur was charged with robbery and petit theft. McArthur, who listed his address as being a transient, remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $5,500.
No Burning Today: Red Flag Warning, Forestry Suspends Burn Permits
February 11, 2012
Officials with Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center will not issue burn authorizations for today, based on the predicted weather conditions. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect.
The forecast calls for extremely low relative humidity – in the teens in some areas – as well as high winds gusting close to 30 mph. This combination increases the likelihood of a burn escaping and spreading rapidly. While the local drought index is relatively low, smaller, flashy fuels (small brush, dead grass) will dry rapidly and burn readily, according to Forestry officials.
Conditions should improve Sunday and officials will monitor and determine when it is safe to begin issuing permits again.
Residents are strongly urged not to burn any yard debris over the weekend due to the Red Flag Warning.