Florida House Eyes Menu Of Potential Tax Cuts
January 23, 2018
A further reduction in a business-lease taxes, lifting sales taxes on diapers and aircraft and holding sales-tax “holidays” were among proposals that a key House committee heard Monday as lawmakers start to put together a tax-cut package for the coming year.
The measures presented to the House Ways & Means Committee had already been submitted as individual bills and, if all were approved, would well exceed the $180 million in tax and fee cuts requested by Gov. Rick Scott.
Ways & Means Chairman Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, was quick to say not all of the proposals would advance. He also said other measures — such as Scott’s proposal to decrease fees on motorists — may not need much vetting.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Renner said about Scott’s request to reduce driver’s license fees. “It has a fiscal (impact).”
By dropping renewal fees for regular driver’s licenses from $48 to $20 and the cost of first-time licenses from $48 to $27, the governor’s office estimates motorists would save $91 million during the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Renner added he’s not been given a tax-cut target by House Speaker Richard Corcoran or started talks with his Senate counterpart Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican who is chairwoman of Senate Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We’ll certainly try to work with the governor on some of his ideas, and those include a back-to-school tax holiday, includes a disaster-preparedness tax holiday, which we discussed today,” Renner said.
In addition to proposing lower motorist fees, Scott has also proposed a 10-day back-to-school sales tax “holiday” on clothes and school supplies and three week-long disaster preparedness tax “holidays” in May, June and July.
Scott’s proposed tax and fee cuts are the smallest package he has proposed as governor. The state was expected to have a modest budget surplus during the upcoming fiscal year, but costs related to Hurricane Irma have made the budget even tighter.
Under the package released by Scott, the proposed sales tax “holidays” would account for $88 million of the tax savings.
The Ways & Means Committee heard another proposed (HB 519) sales tax “holiday” on Monday. That proposal would allow small businesses to avoid collecting sales taxes on items costing up to $1,000 on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The small-business holiday would counter the big-box store dominated “Black Friday” shopping that traditionally marks the start of the year-end shopping season.
The committee on Monday also heard a couple of measures to lower a tax on commercial leases that has been a target for elimination by lawmakers and business groups for years.
One proposal (HB 939) would further lower the business rent tax, which went from 6 percent to 5.8 percent as part of a tax package last year.
Under a proposal by Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, the rate would drop to 5 percent, which could save $218 million for businesses.
“Of course, I would love to eliminate it, but this would be more amenable to the budget because we do have a budget deficit,” Toledo said.
Last year’s cut to the lease tax was projected as providing annual savings of $61 million. It was part of a $180 million tax-cut package advanced by lawmakers. Scott did not include reducing the lease tax in his proposed package for the upcoming year.
Meanwhile, Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, wants the House committee to consider a separate measure (HB 409) that would phase out the rent tax over the next decade.
Under a proposal (HB 6045) before the committee by Rep. Mike Miller, R-Winter Park, aircraft sales and leases would be exempt from sales taxes. Miller said the proposal would help protect the aircraft industry in Florida.
“I’m not necessarily looking for the high-end user,” Miller said. “I’m fighting for the men or women who are actually working behind the scenes to keep it operable and keep it safe.”
Rep. Mike Grant, R-Port Charlotte, said the state is losing jobs as aircraft built in Florida are moved to other states to be sold.
The committee also looked at proposals to provide sales-tax exemptions for baby diapers, adult diapers and baby wipes (HB 163) and bed handles, hospital beds, lifts, handrails, toilet seat risers (HB 1123).
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Doctors Wary Of Painkiller Prescription Limits
January 23, 2018
Surgeons complain it’s too restrictive for patients who undergo major heart surgery or hip replacement. Emergency room doctors gripe they don’t have the time or resources to comply. And pharmacists say it needs to be tweaked.
But the litany of suggestions offered by health care professionals over the past few weeks has done nothing to persuade key lawmakers to change a sweeping measure aimed at curbing opioid addiction and overdoses, now the leading accidental cause of death in the U.S.
The proposal (HB 21) continued moving forward Monday when it was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
According to research, 80 percent of heroin users first abused prescription drugs, whether their own or someone else’s. Other studies show that a patient’s chances of addiction increase as the number of days a first prescription for opioids lengthens.
The data has spurred state lawmakers to focus not only on treating drug users but on trying to keep patients from getting hooked in the first place.
That involves restricting doctors to writing prescriptions for a three-day supply of opioids, such as OxyContin or Vicodin, for patients with acute pain, or a seven-day supply if physicians deem it “medically necessary.”
The Legislature also wants to force doctors to consult a statewide database, known as a prescription drug monitoring program, or PDMP, before writing prescriptions for controlled substances, something doctors have strenuously opposed in the past.
Pharmacists already are required to enter information about most controlled substances into the database, but only about 27 percent of Florida health care providers authorized to prescribe controlled substances are currently registered to use the PDMP, according to a November presentation by PDMP Director Rebecca Poston.
Lawmakers want doctors to use the database to ensure that patients aren’t “doctor shopping,” or seeking prescriptions for addictive drugs from multiple physicians. Patients who do so may be addicted, or could be selling the drugs on the street, in some instances to subsidize their habit.
Under the bill approved Monday by the House Appropriations Committee, doctors would have to consult the database before writing any prescriptions for controlled substances, including drugs that have a low potential for abuse.
Rep. Jim Boyd, the bill sponsor, told The News Service of Florida that the measure may undergo some minor changes before it hits the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, who has made stemming the opioid epidemic — which he declared a public health emergency last summer — one of his top legislative priorities.
“Will we end up with something at the end of the day that is a little bit of a compromise? Perhaps. But right now, we’re kind of sticking with the policy that we started with,” Boyd, a Bradenton Republican whose district is experiencing some of the state’s worst impacts of the opioid scourge.
Doctors don’t want to have to look up every patient’s drug history in the database and don’t want to have to consult it before writing prescriptions for every kind of controlled substance. They also want the database to be linked to patients’ electronic health records, something also contained in the House plan. And doctors have repeatedly complained that the database is clunky and is frequently unavailable.
The House proposal includes about $873,000 to upgrade the drug database, something not included in a Senate companion measure, which, unlike the House version, also steers more than $53 million to substance abuse-related issues.
“We’re hopeful that the final bill will be a mixture of checking the PDMP for the appropriate medications in the appropriate instances, with a PDMP that is integrated into the EHR (electronic health records), so that it’s easy to do so and it’s not an undue burden on the physician,” Jeff Scott, Florida Medical Association general counsel, told the News Service on Monday.
While doctors and lawmakers might reach a deal on the use of the PDMP, prescription restrictions will likely remain a sticking point.
Hank Hutchinson, a Tallahassee orthopedic surgeon, told lawmakers that “putting a strict day limit on prescriptions for pain medication” is “really bad for my patients,” who he said travel from as far away as Dothan, Ala.
He also bridled at the wording of the exception to the three-day restriction that would allow doctors to order seven days’ worth of narcotics if they decide it’s “medically necessary.”
“I don’t think any of us as competent physicians would write a prescription that wasn’t medically necessary,” Hutchinson said. “Whatever day you choose to pick, I think it’s arbitrary. Patients are different. Their pain is different. And we treat them all differently.”
The bill would allow doctors to write additional prescriptions, with the same seven-day limit, if patients need more pain medication. But Hutchinson said that would impose a burden on patients who would have to travel sometimes for hours to get another prescription, and it would cost them another co-payment for the drugs.
“I think you’re really hurting the patients,” the surgeon said. “Whatever number you put on it, there’s going to be unintended consequences for the patient that I don’t think are good.”
While Boyd indicated a compromise about checking the drug database might be in the works, he seemed unlikely to budge on the prescription limit, something pushed by Scott and also included the Senate plan (SB 8).
“We’re sticking pretty hard and fast to the three- and seven-day prescription periods. They do have the ability to re-up that. … So I think there’s a little bit of room already that they don’t realize,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Century Home Invasion Under Investigation; Victim Robbed At Gunpoint
January 22, 2018
An early morning home invasion in Century is under investigation.
Just after 4 a.m. Sunday, two black males knocked on a door and forced their way into a home on Ivey Street in Century, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The men demanded cash from the resident at gunpoint and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.
There were no injuries.
The resident of the home knew one of the suspects and provided that information to deputies. Further details, including a description of the suspects, has not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Groundbreaking Held To Rebuild Tornado Ravaged 114 Year Old Century Church
January 22, 2018
A groundbreaking was held Sunday morning for the reconstruction of the historic Century United Methodist Church, which was damaged beyond repair in the February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado in Century.
“Our last service was held on this site on Valentine’s Day 2016. The next day, the tornado came and knocked (the building) off our foundation. Twenty months ago today the bell was removed from the bell tower. On July 8, the sanctuary walls came down,” Rev. Janet Lee said Sunday morning. “But we returned to this site not to talk about the old church, but to look forward to the future.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony Sunday, a church member held up a brick leftover from the foundation of the original church.
“I personally will see that it gets put in the foundation of the new church. It’s only fitting,” Lee told the congregation.
Pensacola architect Carter Quina designed the new church to look much like the old building. It will include windows, pews, light fixtures, woodwork and more salvaged from the old church.
The Century United Methodist Church was built in 1902, just after Century was established by The Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company. It was constructed of virgin long leaf pine, with interior detail and finish that created a reverent place for worship.
For over 114 years, the sanctuary helped to provide comfort and inspiration to Century residents with weekly services, as well as special occasions such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Time took its toll on the familiar old building, along with a fire and hurricanes. The February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado that struck Century dealt a blow from which the building could not be recovered. Many architectural details were salvaged before the structure had to be dismantled.
Work on the Church Street site is expected to begin shortly and should be completed in about 10 months.
“We hope to be in the new building by Christmas,” Lay Leader J.R. Jones said.
Church members have continued to meet since the tornado, operating out of their Annex Building across the street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Muscogee Road Work About 60 Percent Complete
January 22, 2018
Work is about 60 percent complete on the first phase of widening and drainage improvements for Muscogee Road from Highway 297A to the Perdido River.
Muscogee Road was closed from Beulah Road to Carlisle Road in late September for the installation of a water main, reconstruction of a portion of the roadway, and construction of 5-foot shoulders. Traffic has been detoured via Highway 29 and Barrineau Park Road to Highway 112 in Alabama.
The current section scheduled to be completed and the road reopened, barring any weather delays, by the end of February.
There are still three phases to come in the overall project:
- Perdido River to Beulah
- 90% Design under review
- Easements needed from Water Management District; request pending design completion
- Design completion pending construction funding
- Carlisle to 97
- 60% Design
- Letters were mailed to residents requesting participation in property donations for right-of-way
- Escambia County staff is following up with residents for participation
- 97 to Nowak
- 60% Design
- Letters were mailed to residents requesting participation in property donations for right of way
- Escambia County staff is following up with residents for participation
Since this is a freight corridor, the roadway will be designed and constructed to accommodate the heavy traffic load.
Four Northview Weight Lifters Earn Medals At Regionals
January 22, 2018
Four members of the Northview High School weightlifting team earned medals Saturday during the regional meet at Baker School. They were (L-R) sixth place Crystal Douglas and Lexi Broadhead, and fourth place Abigail Nelson and Natasha Walker. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Official’s Comments Stir Up Florida Offshore Oil Drilling Debate
January 22, 2018
Despite U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s declaration last week that Florida wouldn’t be considered as part of a White House offshore oil-drilling proposal, waters near the state’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts may continue to be under review.
But that all depends on how to interpret comments from Walter Cruickshank, the acting director of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. He told members of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Friday that there has been “no formal decision yet on what’s in, or out, of the five-year program.”
“We are following the process conducting a full analysis of all areas included in the draft proposed program,” Cruickshank added.
Democrats quickly pounced on his statement that “no formal action” has been taken on Zinke’s announcement. Yet Cruickshank also said Zinke’s statement “stands for itself,” the secretary’s decision would be “reflected in the proposed program” and that Congress has treated Florida waters differently, noting a decades-long moratorium against oil drilling in an area of the eastern Gulf of Mexico used by the military for air and sea training.
Cruickshank had been asked why Florida was carved out of the plan, as governors and leaders of other coastal states have sought similar exemptions to the one Zinke announced after flying into Tallahassee International Airport on Jan. 9.
Zinke, appearing alongside Gov. Rick Scott at the airport, said Florida coastal waters would be removed from plans to open previously protected parts of the Atlantic Ocean and eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling. In making the decision, Zinke praised Scott, an ally of President Donald Trump, for working with the administration.
Scott hailed Zinke’s announcement, while some others questioned the quick decision and manner of announcement as an attempt by the Trump administration to further Scott’s political career.
In a release Friday, the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson — a Democrat expected to be challenged for his seat later this year by Scott — said Cruickshank’s comment confirms that Zinke’s airport announcement was a “political stunt” and not an official policy.
The drilling proposal was introduced less than a week before Zinke’s trip to Tallahassee. Scott and Florida politicians from both parties voiced opposition to opening waters beyond the nation’s outer continental shelf — a jurisdictional term describing submerged lands 10.36 statutory miles off Florida’s west coast and 3 nautical miles off the east coast.
Sierra Club Florida Director Frank Jackalone called Cruickshank’s testimony an administration “flip-flop” that should be an embarrassment for Zinke and Scott.
“It also makes a mockery of the entire offshore planning process and this administration’s ability to do its job and responsibly manage America’s public lands and waters,” Jackalone said. “Zinke’s promise to take Florida ‘off the table’ was never anything more than a PR stunt to greenwash Governor Scott’s record, but Floridians won’t be fooled.”
Nelson has filed legislation to permanently ban drilling off Florida’s coasts and on Wednesday placed a “hold” on the confirmation of three Interior Department nominees, which he said would remain in place until Zinke rescinds the current draft five-year drilling plan and replaces it with a new draft that fully protects Florida’s coasts.
Asked about Nelson’s legislation on Thursday, Scott said he had not seen what was being proposed, but maintained his opposition to offshore drilling.
“I’ve been clear, I oppose offshore drilling,” Scott said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
January 22, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of January 22-26:
Monday, Jan. 22
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.
District 5 Roads and Bridges Town Hall - 5 p.m., Walnut Hill Community Center and Ruritan Club, 7850 Highway 97N
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Health Facilities Authority – 4 p.m., 1019 N. 12th Ave.
FDOT U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) at Barrancas Avenue Public Hearing - 5:30 p.m., Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.
Delta Contractors Concrete/Asphalt Recycling Facility Permit Renewal Town Hall – 5:30 p.m., Marie K. Young-Wedgewood Community Center & Park, 6405 Wagner Road
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Santa Rosa Island Authority Quasi-Judical Hearing-Rezoning – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach
Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee Meeting – 5:10 p.m., 1 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, Jan. 25
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors/Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission Board of Directors – 8:30 a.m., 321 N. De Villiers St.
Escambia Extends Permit Fee Waiver for Freeze-Related Pipe Damage
January 22, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has extended the waiver for permitting and inspection fees for damages to plumbing piping related to the recent hard freezes in the area.
Fees will be waived until close of business Wednesday, January 31. The waiver is not retroactive, and refunds will not be issued for fees incurred prior to January 4.
Please note that this waiver only applies to permit and inspection fees. Permits are still required as usual.
The waived fees were proposed by the Escambia County Building Services Department and the Building Services Inspection Fund Advisory Board in an effort to lessen the hardship or cost to the consumer for freeze-related pipe damages. Once the consumer obtains a plumbing contractor to make the appropriate repairs, they will obtain the permitting with the waived fees reflected.
The Town of Century approved a similar fee waiver during their council meeting Monday night.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 22, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending January 11 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Pettey checked a pair of fishermen at Quintette Boat Ramp. He discovered that they were in possession of 120 panfish, 20 over their allowable daily bag limit. A notice to appear citation was issued for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was working late at night in the Blackwater State Forest when he observed two vehicles with a bright light being shined from the driver side window of the first vehicle. As he watched, the driver shined the light into the tree line and across an open field on private property. When the two vehicles stopped at a large tree beside the roadway, Officer Hutchinson pulled in behind them and observed one of the subjects standing in the road shining his light in the top of the tree. Officer Hutchison determined that the men were hunting raccoons with the use of a light from a moving vehicle which is prohibited. Officer Hutchison issued the man who used the light a notice to appear for attempting to take racoon with the use of a light from a moving vehicle.
Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr assisted Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with a night hunting case before the 2017 hunting season. The case involved two subjects who killed two bucks in velvet in Alabama at night before the hunting season. Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr caught the subjects in possession of the deer in Florida and worked in conjunction with the Alabama officers to make the case. Officer Hutchinson appeared in court in Alabama along with the Alabama Conservation Officers resulting in a conviction for one of the subjects. The other subject failed to appear in court.
Officer Jones was on patrol in South Santa Rosa County, in Navarre Beach, when he noticed a man exit an old sailboat that was anchored in Santa Rosa Sound. The man boarded a small dinghy and proceeded to the boat ramp. As Officer Jones approached the vessel to conduct a boating safety check, the operator of the vessel turned the vessel and began to motor away. The subject refused to comply with repeated instruction to return to the dock and returned to his sailboat, where he removed the small motor from the dinghy. The operator then paddled to the dock where Officer Jones was located and was placed under arrest for interference with an FWC officer and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. The subject was also issued a uniform boating citation for an expired registration.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.