Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Let’s Get Ready To Rumble
February 12, 2017
At another time, it might not be unusual for the governor to accuse the House speaker of being more concerned about politics than jobs. It would be notable, though not altogether shocking, for the speaker to respond like Clint Eastwood to talk of the Senate suing the House.
But the 2017 legislative session hasn’t even started, and temperatures are already running hot at the Capitol. Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran are locked in an MMA-style brawl over business incentives. The Senate appeared to be backing away from the brink of suing the other chamber over budget rules — but the House might not want a detente.
All that was before a Friday curveball: state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said he would step aside after the session.
And the days until the March 7 start of the 60-day session continue to tick down. Another month of bad blood could make the two months that follow even harder to bring to a successful and peaceful end.
PERSONAL BUSINESS
Scott and Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, have been sniping about economic incentives for months, if not longer. Scott believes that the added enticements help bring business and jobs to the Sunshine State. Corcoran thinks they infringe on the free market and amount to little more than corporate welfare.
The clash had been mostly civil if a bit heated. But on Tuesday, Scott decided to let loose.
“We’re seeing people that just want to run for higher office,” Scott said. “They’re not concerned about what happens to other people. They just think it’s a nice soundbite.”
Asked directly if he was accusing Corcoran, who may run for governor in 2018, of trying to advance his political career, Scott said: “It’s pretty clear if you don’t care about people’s jobs, you must be caring about something else. … The only thing this could be is politics.”
In response, Corcoran called Scott “a good man and a friend,” then proceeded to take a few shots at that good man and friend.
“However, we were elected to do what is right and clean up government, put an end to the waste of taxpayer money and end the culture of corruption,” Corcoran said in a statement.
He also pointed out, a bit cheekily, that the House has never questioned Scott’s motives on issues like Enterprise Florida or Visit Florida — the main incentive programs at the heart of the battle — or the governor’s temporary and half-hearted support of “Obamacare expansion.” Scott in 2013 supported Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act. The House staunchly opposed an expansion, which was never approved.
If Scott was trying to get the House to immediately back down in the incentives fight, it didn’t work. The next day, the Careers & Competition Subcommittee voted 10-5 to support a 172-page proposal (PCB CCS 17-01) that would eliminate the public-private Enterprise Florida and tourism marketer Visit Florida, along with a lengthy list of tax-credit and grant programs designed to attract companies to relocate and build in the state.
The likelihood of the entire proposal getting into law is not high. Even supporters said they expect the bill to undergo changes if the agencies are able to quickly show they can be more transparent and focus more on small counties and small businesses.
“I do think that some of the things are going to be zeroed out, but I think at the end of the day not everything gets zeroed out,” subcommittee Chairman Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, said after voting for the proposal. “The bigger guys are going to take care of themselves. That doesn’t mean throw them under the bus. It just means we need to focus those dollars where we can get the best bang for our buck.”
But Scott was not backing down, and either the governor or someone on his behalf took to live-tweeting the subcommittee meeting. After the vote, Scott tweeted, “Politicians in @MyFLHouse turned their back on jobs today by supporting job killing legislation.”
That followed a pre-meeting tweet: “A job creates hope, a job creates opportunity for your family. LETS FIGHT FOR JOBS TODAY.” The capital letters were by the governor.
The Senate still seems to have the governor’s back. But the Senate had its own problems with the House.
ATWATER GOES TO FAU AFTER ALL
Three years ago, state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater tried unsuccessfully to win the presidency at Florida Atlantic University. The defeat was something of a surprise; state officials had almost come to regard university positions as akin to a birthright, and boards of trustees were often quick to oblige.
But Atwater will head to FAU anyway after the upcoming legislative session — as a vice president at the Boca Raton school instead of the head man.
“While I would have preferred to embrace this opportunity at a later date, the timing of crucial university initiatives warranted an accelerated transition,” the North Palm Beach Republican said in a statement.
That opens up a position on the state Cabinet that will have to be filled by Scott until voters choose a CFO in 2018.
In a statement praising Atwater, the governor said he would begin the process of making an appointment.
“I got to know CFO Jeff Atwater well in 2010 on the campaign trail, and like me, he has been laser-focused on keeping the cost of living low for all Floridians,” Scott said in his statement. “I am proud that the state has paid down over $7.6 billion in debt since 2011 and CFO Atwater has aggressively helped us achieve that goal. He has fought to reduce burdensome regulations that hinder job growth, protect families from financial fraud and has traveled the state to return more than $1 billion in unclaimed property to its rightful owners.”
While moving from managing the finances of the state to managing the finances of FAU might not seem like a promotion, Atwater could be in line for a sizable raise. His statewide post pays $128,972 a year. At FAU, he will replace Dorothy Russell, who retired in January after a decade at the university and who was paid nearly $250,000 last year.
Adding intrigue to the selection: Scott’s decision about an appointment could play a critical role in the 2018 contest for the Cabinet seat, giving the new incumbent an advantage, and could help the governor burnish his credentials with either a voting bloc or contributors ahead of his own expected U.S. Senate campaign in 2018.
Among the names being ground up by the Tallahassee rumor mill: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, former state Rep. Tom Grady and state Sens. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Tom Lee of Thonotosassa, Lizbeth Benacquisto of Fort Myers and Jack Latvala of Clearwater.
RULES OF THE ROAD
If Corcoran intended to shake up the legislative session with a House rule requiring that any new local project included in the budget must first be submitted to the House as an individual bill — mission accomplished.
Lobbyists and those who receive state money have been worried about the implications of the policy. And members of the Senate have bristled as the House insists it won’t yield on the rule even during negotiations with the Senate over the spending plan for the year beginning July 1.
This week, the Senate tried a new tack: a proposed joint rule that would limit budget negotiators to including only projects that had been approved by at least one of the two chambers, or requiring specific information and public testimony before adding new goodies shortly before a final vote on the budget.
Senate leaders appeared to already be envisioning a round of “Kumbaya” with the House after their newest idea was unveiled in the Senate Rules Committee.
“I don’t think we’d be going through this exercise if we weren’t optimistic that between the chambers we could identify the snares, bevel some edges and get it done,” said Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who is set to become president of the Senate after the 2018 elections.
But Corcoran wasn’t exactly tuning up for a song and sounded more like he was channeling Eastwood’s legendary “Make my day” challenge. In a statement issued by his office, Corcoran said the prospect of Senate legal action had come up. He also suggested the House wasn’t intimidated.
“They threatened to sue us if we put that language in our House rules,” Corcoran said. “We’re still waiting. If they want to sue the House for fighting on behalf of the people for unprecedented levels of transparency, accountability, and public scrutiny of pork barrel spending, I’ll pay their filing fee.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced Friday that he will leave his job at the end of the legislative session to take an executive position at Florida Atlantic University.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “There’s a plan afoot to impose new fees on paddle boards, kayaks and canoes. Really?! What’s next? A tube tax on Ichetucknee? A surfboard tax in Cocoa? This has gone too far.”—Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, in a blast email following consideration of fees on certain types of vessels by an advisory committee for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Boating Advisory Council. FWC officials have distanced themselves from the idea.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Elton Gilmore Retires From Public Service – Again
February 11, 2017
Elton Gilmore of McDavid has retired from public service — again.
Gilmore was recently honored by the Escambia County Commission as he retired after seven years as the Emergency Management Operations Officer in the Public Safety Department. He began his employment with Escambia EMA in 2010 and was immediately assigned to the Deepwater Horizon incident as the branch liaison coordinating response efforts. He worked during multiple storm activations and other local disasters affecting the citizens of Escambia County.
He previously worked at the Florida Division of Forestry.
In June of 1977, Gilmore was hired as a forest ranger at the Molino Tower at the same rate of pay he had made as the assistant manager of an IGA grocery store — $5.50 an hour. He was promoted to Senior Forest Ranger in January 1986 and was promoted to Forest Area Supervisor in February 1997. He spent a total of 32 years in Forestry fire control before retiring in 2010.
Gilmore also helped organize the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, serving as captain, assistant chief, and chief.
Pictured top: Elton Gilmore (center) is honored with a proclamation from the Escambia County Commission presented by Public Safety Director Mike Weaver (left) as his wife Mary looks on. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Live Art With A Message Presented At Jim Allen, Molino Park, Ernest Ward
February 11, 2017
Be an awesome school, using words that build people up..that was the message that artist and inspirational speaker Tim Bertram presented Friday morning at Jim Allen Elementary School as he combined his message with a live painting of Honest Abe Lincoln.
Later at Molino Park Elementary School, Bertram created another live painting while teaching the students about the power of words and delivering an anti-bulling message.
And Friday afternoon, Bertram created live Einstein painting before the 500 students at Ernest Ward Middle School while talking about potential.
Each school was able to keep their completed painting as a reminder of the positive message.
For a photo gallery from all three schools, click here.
Bertram will take his inspirational message to a higher level this weekend at Highland Baptist Church in Molino as he communicates the truth found in the Scripture wile challenging the audience to go deeper in their relationship with Christ.
He will be guest speaker at Wild Game Dinner and Fish Fry at 5:00 (doors open at 4:30) at Highland. The meal is free with a suggested donation of $5 at the door. The meal will include a variety of venison dishes (spaghetti, back strap, sausage), fried fish, baked beans, fried fish, baked beans, cole slaw, dessert, coffee, tea and water.
Bertram will also be guest speaker during a Men’s Breakfast at 7 a.m. Sunday and during the morning service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Highland Baptist, 6240 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information, call (850) 587-5174.
For a photo gallery from all three schools, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
February 11, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 2 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
No report was received this week from Escambia County.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson received information about a subject who harvested three antlerless deer in one day during the antlerless deer season, two over the limit. During an interview, the subject said that he, his father, and his son each shot one deer. After interviewing the other subjects and another witness, it was confirmed that the subject shot and killed all three deer himself. The subject then admitted to taking all three deer. Officer Hutchinson obtained a warrant charging the man with taking over the bag limit of antlerless deer.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling an area after dark where he received several complaints of illegal hunting activity. While working the area, he observed a vehicle driving through the middle of a large field while both the driver and passenger shined the area. When the vehicle was stopped, a loaded hunting rifle was discovered. The man and woman admitted to looking for deer. The driver did not a have a valid driver’s license. Both were charged with night hunting and the driver was also charged with driving with a suspended license.
Officer Hutchinson saw a vehicle slowly traveling along the road with a spotlight being shined from the vehicle into the field in front of his house. The vehicle was stopped and two juveniles informed him that they were looking for a big buck. A loaded shotgun was lying in between the two front seats. Officer Hutchinson made contact with their parents and, after the parents’ arrival, the juveniles were charged with night hunting and released into the custody of their parents.
Officer Mullins attended Bagdad Elementary School to talk with students who were studying conservation and resource management. Officer Mullins explained the FWC’s role in conservation and protection of natural resources. After an explanation of laws, regulations, and why they are important, Officer Mullins answered the students’ questions regarding what is and is not allowed and why.
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.
Ernest Ward Names Valentine’s Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
King Trevor Scott and Queen Mary Paige Nasser reigned over the dance, along with their court: Sixth Grade Knight Kaden Odom, Sixth Grade Maiden Elianna Morales, Seventh Grade Knight Noah Harigel and Seventh Grade Maiden Shelby Rice.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Dance Queen Mary Paige Nasser and King Trevor Scott. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
State Won’t Seek Death Penalty In Gas Station Double Shooting
February 11, 2017
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Friday that his office will not seek the death penalty aginst Terry Maurice Newkirk, Jr.
Newkirk is charged with two counts of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of Antonio Maurice Bullard and Antrone Marquis Moore at the Raceway gas station on Palafox and Mason Lane in November 2015. Bullard and Moore were both shot to death inside a SUV during a drug transaction at the gas pumps. Both were 26-years old.
“The decision not to seek the death penalty was made after completion of the discovery process and evaluation of the evidence available to prove the aggravating circumstances necessary to successfully obtain a death penalty verdict. Recent United States Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court decisions have affected the death penalty evaluation process and were considered in making this decision,” Eddins said.
If convicted as charged, Newkirk will be facing a mandatory sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
Weekend Gardening: February Tips
February 11, 2017
Here are gardening tips for the month of February from your local Extension Service:
Flowers
- Re-fertilize cool season flowerbeds, using a liquid or granular form of fertilizer. Be careful not to apply excessive amounts and keep granules away from the base of stems.
- Prepare flowerbeds for spring planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Till or spade the bed to incorporate the amendments with the existing soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Allow the prepared bed to lie undisturbed for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. This provides time for some important biological activity to take place, and new plants are less likely to suffer from stem and root rots as a result. Have a soil test done. Sometimes lime is needed. However, a lime application should be made only if the need is revealed by the test.
- Replenish mulch in flowerbeds.
- Prune rose bushes.
Trees and Shrubs
- February is possible the best month for rejuvenation of old, overgrown shrubs. When pruned now, plants have an entire growing season to recover.
- Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs such as Althea and Hibiscus. Since they flower on current season’s growth, flowering can actually be enhanced by proper pruning
- Do NOT prune the spring flowering shrubs yet. Azaleas, Spiraeas and Forsythia flower during early spring because buds were formed last summer and fall. Pruning in February would therefore remove most of the flower buds.
- Cold damaged trees and shrubs should NOT be pruned until new growth appears. You want to preserve as much healthy plant material as possible.
- Replenish mulch in shrub beds
- Finish planting ornamental and fruit trees.
Fruits and Nuts
- Fertilize established pecan trees. Use a “special pecan fertilizer” that contains zinc. Use 2 lbs. for every year of age of the tree up to a maximum of 55 lbs. Broadcast the fertilizer evenly beneath the tree.
- Fertilize established peach, plum, pear, persimmon, apple and fig. Apply about 1 ½ lbs of a 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer for each year of age of the tree until a maximum of 10 to 15 lbs. per tree is reached.
- Blueberries are very sensitive to nitrogen and can be killed easily, particularly when they are young. Fertilize only if your goal is to increase yield or berry size. An annual application of 2 ounces of a special “azalea/camellia” or “special blueberry” type fertilizer per plant in February is ample fertilizer on 2-year-old plants.
- Prune muscadine grapes between mid-February to mid-March. A standard method is to allow 2 to 4 node spurs spaced every 6 inches of cordon. You may notice that pruning cuts bleed, but there is no evidence that this is injurious to the vine.
- Grapes (bunch and muscadine) should be fertilized at the rate of 1 ½ lbs of 10-10-10 for each year of age with a maximum of 5 lbs per plant applied in late February.
- Last call for planting fruit trees! Most fruit trees such as pecans, plums, persimmons, figs, peaches and nectarines are shipped bare roots and should be planted during the dormant season.
- Apply a spray containing horticultural oils emulsion to dormant fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Follow label directions carefully.
Vegetable Garden
- Several winter vegetables can still be successfully grown by starting them this month. Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive/escarole, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, parsley, English peas, radish and turnips.
- Plant Irish potatoes. Purchase certified seed potatoes rather than using the grocery store kinds. Use 2-ounce seed pieces with eyes and plant them 3 to 4 inches deep.
- Prepare spring vegetable and herb beds for planting by adding and incorporating soil amendments like mushroom compost, manure or homemade compost. Wait 3 to 4 weeks before planting.
Lawns
- Hold off on fertilizing the lawn. It is still too early for an application of nitrogen containing product. Cold temperatures and lack of plant response would likely result in wasted fertilizer. However, your winter weeds would benefit greatly.
Little Public Interest As Century Updates Aging Land Development Code
February 10, 2017
The Town of Century is updated its aging Land Development Code thanks to a state grant, and a public workshop with little public interest was held Thursday to address the latest changes.
The town received a $25,000 Division of Community Development’s Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to update their LDC, which was adopted on April 29, 1991. The work is being done by Peggy Fowler and Associates, which submitted the only proposal.
The Land Development Code (LDC) essentially specifies what can be built where and how it can be used within the town limits.
The majority of the LDC has not been revised since it was adopted in 1991. It, according to Fowler, must be updated to ensure compliance with changes in state and federal laws and the goals and objectives of the Town Century Comprehensive Plan 2025.
The updates will also address any inconsistencies or duplication in the document, plus make the LDC more user-friendly and easier to understand with minor reorganization and the addition of tables and simple illustrations.
Most of the changes reviewed at Thursday’s workshop – added by one member of the public - involved environmental regulations and the addition of restrictions involving cultural resources, such as a significant archeological find on a construction site. An additional workshop will be held in late April, followed by the presentation of a completed draft at public hearing in May.
Pictured top: This panoramic photo show three Century staffers, Councilman Gary Riley and one member of the public at a public workshop Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Night Hunter Leads FWC Officers On High Speed Chase
February 10, 2017
A Cantonment man was arrested after leading state law officers on a high speed chase in North Escambia after being spotted night hunting.
Multiple FWC officers on the ground with air support from officers in a helicopter were working a night hunting detail in North Escambia County outside Walnut Hill.
The air unit guided a ground unit to a suspected night hunter shining a light from a vehicle off Highway 99A. The air unit continued to follow the suspected night hunter until the ground unit caught upon Occie Phillips Road. The FWC officer activated his blue lights and siren behind the vehicle, but the driver accelerated and fled, reaching speeds over 70 mph as he turned south onto the dirt Pineville Road and continued in the area on Highway 97A, Enon School Road and Highway 99 before turning on Barrineau Park Road and crossing the Perdido River into Alabama.
The driver, later identified as 28-year old Waylon Lee Adams, stopped about a half mile into Alabama, according to a FWC report.
Adams was held at gunpoint until backup FWC officers arrived. FWC officers reported finding less than 20 grams of marijuana in the vehicle, along with a small flashlight used to disclose the deer and two live rifle rounds. The female passenger told officers that Adams threw a rifle and scope out of the vehicle.
A records check indicated that Adams’ driver’s license had been suspended or revoked 20 times.
Adams was transported to the Baldwin County Jail and later extradited to Florida to face charges of felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, night hunting, felony driving on a suspended license, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon.
Adams was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $38,000 bond.
Century Talks Emergency Management With Escambia County
February 10, 2017
The Century Town Council held a workshop meeting Thursday night with Escambia County Emergency Management to learn more about emergency response and recovery operations.
Brad Hattaway, planning coordinator for Escambia EMA, explained to the council how the agency works and the council’s role. He said the Town of Century is part of the planning process and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is there to support the town during disasters.
The town has a standing invitation to participate in the planning, training, exercises and operations of the EOC, Hattaway said.
The Town of Century currently contracts with BRACE – the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies — to represent the town during EOC activations.
Pictured top: Century council members Ann Brooks, Sandra McMurray Jackson and Ben Boutwell listen as Brad Hattaway, planning coordinator for Escambia EMA, makes a presentation Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.