Legislative Leaders Fold On Gambling Talks
April 26, 2018
After weeks of discussions between two powerful legislators, the possibility of a special session focused on perennially elusive gambling issues came to an end Wednesday.
Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano and incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva conceded they were unable to reach a deal despite self-imposed pressure to come up with a gambling plan before the November elections.
“We’ve moved on. Will revisit next session,” Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, said in a text Wednesday afternoon.
The legislators wanted to head off a proposed constitutional amendment on the general election ballot that, if passed, would give voters control of gambling expansions, decisions now largely controlled by the Legislature.
The legislative leaders had also used a potential loss of revenue from the Seminole Tribe as a rationale for a hurried special session, after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on a gambling deal during the regular session that ended last month.
But a new, yearlong deal announced last week by Gov. Rick Scott and the tribe and fears that a proposed expansion of slot machines could backfire put the kibosh on any gambling legislation, according to Galvano and Senate President Joe Negron.
Under the arrangement between Scott and the Seminoles, the tribe agreed to continue making about $300 million a year in payments through the 2019 legislative session. In exchange for the payments, which are rooted in a 2010 gambling “compact,” the tribe would continue to have exclusive rights to offer games such as blackjack at its casinos and would continue to be the state’s only slot-machine operator outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
The Seminoles would keep up the payments “provided the state does not enact legislation to expand gaming subject to exclusivity under the compact during the forbearance period.”
Whether the talk of a special session sparked a renewed agreement between the Seminoles — who are major contributors to the political committee behind the proposed constitutional amendment — and Scott, or the other way around, is unclear.
But the resulting deal — and the guarantee that the incoming leaders could rely on another $300 million from the tribe, and possibly more, when they craft next year’s budget — withered the prospect of a special session.
“That reduced the sense of urgency on behalf of Speaker-designate Oliva and President-designate Galvano. I could sense that, when it happened,” Negron, R-Stuart, told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday.
The deal being considered by Galvano and Oliva would have jeopardized the income from the tribe by allowing slots in up to six of the eight counties — Brevard, Duval, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Washington — where voters have approved the lucrative machines at local pari-mutuels, an element the Senate has supported. To compete for the six new slot machine licenses, pari-mutuel operators would have had to relinquish active permits, a “contraction” of gambling pushed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes.
The gambling operators also would have had to make some sort of guarantee for a minimum amount of revenue to the state to offset potential losses from the tribe.
But supporters of the “Voters in Charge” proposal, which will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 3, are asserting that the measure, if passed, could apply retroactively, meaning money from both the Seminoles and the pari-mutuels would be off the table, at least temporarily.
“That was exactly the issue” that put an end to the talks, said Negron, who will be replaced by Galvano after the November elections.
“There also was uncertainty that some attorneys believe that the constitutional amendment could be interpreted retroactively so that the expansion to the slot machine counties, which I support because the voters voted, could be stricken down and then the contraction, that’s the House priority, could be sustained. Obviously, that’s not an equitable situation,” he said. “So that issue is unclear and uncertain.”
The incoming leaders were also concerned that, once a special session on gambling was called, legislators would demand that the session be expanded to include other issues, such as funding for public schools and the controversial “school guardians” program that allows certain specially trained teachers, certified by sheriff’s offices, to bring guns to schools.
Galvano, R-Bradenton, told the News Service that he and Oliva had discussed the broad outlines of a potential deal, but that ultimately, the “revenue uncertainty” and other factors put an end to the talks.
“The potential impacts of having a retroactive application of the constitutional amendment, and the litigation and delays … as well as the managing the call” of the session ultimately caused the leaders to abandon the issue, he said, at least for now.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
FHP: Hit And Run Driver Arrested After Hitting Motorcycle
April 26, 2018
An alleged hit and run driver has been arrest in connection with an accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist.
The Florida Highway Patrol said James Taylor Tice was arrested on warrants stemming from his involvement in a hit and run crash. The FHP said Tice was traveling north on Pine Forst Road when failed to stop for a red light at Nine Mile Road and collided with the rear of a motorcycle.
The FHP said Tice then fled the scene, but a second motorcycle rider was able to follow his vehicle and obtain Tice’s tag number.
“Tice was identified through an extensive investigation that resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest based on his involvement regarding the hit and run crash,” FHP Lt. Eddie Elmore said.
Tice was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with a serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, failing to render aid and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Making Learning Fun: Welcome To Fleming’s Jurassic World At Lipscomb Elementary
April 26, 2018
Students in Rhonda Fleming’s classroom at Lipscomb Elementary School went wild over her decorations. Fleming went all out in decorating the classroom as “Fleming’s Jurassic World”, including desks in a jeep, a waterfall and a dinosaur, in an effort to make learning more fun. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat The Barons
April 26, 2018
Pensacola recorded 14 hits in Wednesday’s series finale, and they needed every one of them. The Wahoos fended off a late surge from the Barons to hold on for a 9-8 win.
Birmingham struck early for the second consecutive game with a three-run fourth inning. The first five Barons reached in order, and three came to score to give Birmingham a 4-0 lead.
The Wahoos were quick to respond in the bottom of the fourth with a rally of their own. After a walk and a single, Chadwick Tromp doubled home Aristides Aquino and Luis Gonzalez to cut the deficit to 4-3. But if the fourth inning was just the appetizer, then the fifth inning’s rally was the main course.
Gavin LaValley led off the fifth with his second home run of the season, which tied the game at four. Pensacola’s next five batters all reached with hits, which chased Barons starter Ian Clarkin (L, 1-1) from the game. Nick Longhi’s two-run single capped a fourth inning that resulted in seven hits and six runs, giving the Wahoos a 9-4 lead. By the end of the inning, every Wahoos starter had recorded at least one hit for the game.
Despite the lead, Wyatt Strahan (W, 3-1) wasn’t at his sharpest. He pitched five plus innings and allowed a career-high 10 hits but limited the damage to only six runs (five earned). Pensacola manager Jody Davis used four different relievers to pitch the final four innings.
In the ninth inning with the Wahoos leading 9-8, Davis called on Alex Powers to finish the game. The 26-year old didn’t disappoint as he retired the side in order to seal the win.
Pensacola will head east on I-10 tomorrow to take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in a rematch of last season’s Southern League South Division Championship series. Pensacola swept all three games last season in the playoffs to capture the franchise’s first Southern League title. Defending Southern League Pitcher of the Week, Daniel Wright (2-1, 4.29) will open the series for the Wahoos.
Century Applies For Grant To Finish Updates To Land Development Code
April 25, 2018
The Town of Century is applying for a state grant to complete an updated to their Land Development Code (LDC).
In 2016, the town received a $25,000 Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity that was used to updated five chapters of the LDC.
If the town receives an additional grant, it will be used to update portions of the LDC that were adopted in 1991, prepare a zoning map and offset the cost of publishing the changes.
Monday night, the town voted to allow the Nickles Consulting group to apply for the grant on their behalf. Public meetings will be held prior to the approval of LDC changes.
Pictured: Three Century staffers — Assistant Clerk Kristina Wood, Peggy Fowler of Peggy Fowler and Associates and consultant Debbie Nickles — and no members of the public at a 2017 Land Development Code workshop in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
District Softball: Tate Tops Washington; Wins For Northview And Jay
April 25, 2018
Tate, Northview and Jay recorded wins Tuesday to advance to their respective district softball championship games Thursday.
Northview 2, Freeport 0
Jay 6, Chipley 3
Jay and Northview will meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. in the District 3-1A softball championship game after both picked up wins Tuesday.
Tuesday, Aubree Love hit a home run as the Northview Lady Chiefs beat Freeport 2-0. And the Jay Lady Royals beat Chipley 6-3.
For Northview, Tori Herrington recorded nine strikeouts. At the plate, Ashley Ragsdale went 1-3, Valen Shelley was 1-3, Loves was 1-2 with her home run and a RBI and Lydia Smith was 2-3.
Jay will host Northview Thursday at 7:00 in the district championship game. Both teams were 3-2 in district play during the regular season.
Tate 10, Washington 0
The Tate Lady Aggies beat Washington 10-0 Tuesday to advance to the District 1-7A championship game on Thursday.
Hannah Brown tossed a shutout for Tate on the mound, allowing two hits and striking out eight.
Shelby Ullrich homered for the Lady Aggies.
For Tate: Ullrich 1-2, HR, RBI, 2R; Brown 3-4, RBI; Belle Wolfenden 1-3; Madisen Nelson 1-1, R; Sydni Solliday 2-2, 2RBI, R; Ryleigh Cawby 1-1, RBI, R: Kayliegh Cawthorn RBI; Ashley Lunquist R; Shelby McLean 1-3, RBI, R; Deazia Nickerson 1-2; Amber DeCoux 2-3, R; Katie Snyder 1-1, RBI; Hanna Halfacre R; Courtney Adams R.
Pace beat Escambia 2-1 Tuesday. That sets up a Pace at Tate district championship game Thursday at 7:00.
Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tops West Florida
April 25, 2018
The Tate Aggies scored four runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 7-1 win over West Florida Tuesday night.
Raymond Lafleur pitched the win for Tate in two innings, allowing one run, no hits and striking out four. Jace Dunsford and Reid Halfacre closed out the game in relief. Halfacre recorded the last three outs to earn the save for the Aggies.
Chase Stanhope took the loss for West Florida. He lasted four innings, allowing six hits and three runs.
For Tate: Blake Anderson 1-1, RBI; Ethan Bloodsworth R; Ryan Greene RBI; Reid Halfacre 1-4; Trent Jeffcoat 2-3, 2B, 2RBI, R; Kaden Kings 2-3; Raymond Lafleur R; Mason Land R; Hunter McLean 3-3, 2B, R; Darrien McDowell 1-3, R; Jesse Sherrill 2-3, 2RBI, R.
Rigby Recognized For 30 Years With Escambia County
April 25, 2018
Escambia County Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Dennis Rigby of Walnut Hill was recently recognized by the Escambia County Commission for 30 years of dedicated service.
“He’s a very unique individual. He’s extremely intelligent and has an iron man work ethic,” Pat Johnson, Waste Service Department director, said.
“It’s been an extremely interesting 30 years,” Rigby said.
Rigby was presented with a certificate and pin.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gov. Rick Scott Makes Senate Campaign Stop In Escambia County
April 25, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott hosted a campaign roundtable Tuesday with Escambia County business leaders in one of the recently announced low tax Opportunity Zones as stablished in the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, encourage long-term investment and job creation in targeted communities by reducing taxes for many job creators.
Low Tax Opportunity Zones enhance local communities’ ability to attract businesses, developers and financial institutions to invest in targeted areas by allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes through investments in federally established Opportunity Funds.
Seven Census tracts in Escambia County, including Century and the immediate surrounding area.
Over the past week, the Governor has hosted multiple roundtables with Florida business leaders to discuss the Opportunity Zones, cutting taxes and his desire to service in Washington to fight for these priorities on behalf of Florida’s families and job creators.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Vol. Fire Honors Longtime Firefighter Earl Greene As He Retires
April 25, 2018
Earl Greene was recognized Tuesday as he retire from active service with the Jay Volunteer Fire Department. Greene served Jay and the surrounding communities as chaplain and as a firefighter for over 43 years. Pictured: Jay Fire Chief Tony Simmons (left) with Earl Greene. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
