Major Gambling Proposal Emerges In Florida Senate
January 13, 2017
A senator instrumental in the passage of the Legislature’s last major gambling bill released a massive proposal Thursday that would allow slot machines in eight counties where voters have approved them, let South Florida pari-mutuels run blackjack games, and give tracks permission to do away with greyhound racing while keeping lucrative cardrooms and slots.
Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, called the bill (SB 
a starting point as lawmakers gear up to deal with a potential gambling agreement being negotiated by the Seminole Tribe, Gov. Rick Scott’s staff and legislative leaders.
“To effectively address an issue like gaming that involves an almost century-old industry and a sovereign within our own borders, it has to be rolled out procedurally correct. The bill that has been filed is comprehensive on the industry side,” Galvano told The News Service of Florida. “It really includes most everything that has been discussed of late.”
Negotiations with the Seminoles are underway after a portion of a 20-year deal, called a compact, expired in 2015. That portion gave the tribe the exclusive rights to operate “banked” card games such as blackjack.
But a federal judge in November ruled that the Seminoles could continue to offer blackjack because the state had breached the agreement by permitting controversial “designated player” games at pari-mutuel cardrooms. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the designated player games violate a state law prohibiting games in which players bet against the house.
Galvano’s soup-to-nuts proposal would make legal the designated player games.
His plan would also allow slots in eight counties where voters have approved them — a shift away from what lawmakers previously have been willing to authorize and something the Seminoles have opposed. The current compact, signed in 2010, gives the tribe “exclusive” rights to operate slot machines outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
The 2010 compact called for $1 billion in guaranteed payments to the state over five years, and the tribe has exceeded that amount. The money is a combination of revenues the Seminoles earn from slot machines and card games.
“They’ve been good partners with us, and the funds are substantial. But it’s hard to ignore voters in eight counties that are telling us that they not only want these games but they want the revenues and the economic development that come from them,” Galvano said. “So when you look at gaming comprehensively, you can’t ignore the economic development that comes on the private industry side and simply just look at revenue that comes on the compact side.”
Galvano’s bill also builds on a proposed agreement struck by Scott and the tribe in late 2015 in which the Seminoles agreed to pay the state $3 billion over seven years in exchange for craps and roulette.
The proposed agreement never went into effect because the Legislature failed to give it the requisite stamp of approval.
Galvano, who is slated to take over as Senate president in 2018, said lawmakers need to decide what kind of gambling policy they want the state to have before making decisions about the types of games the tribe should be allowed to conduct.
“I know that we have to create a new agreement with the tribe. But now we have a basis for them to know what’s coming and to negotiate on the components of something, as opposed to sending a compact to us only to have a death by a thousand amendments. That’s what I want to avoid,” said Galvano, who is reprising his 2010 role as one of the Legislature’s chief negotiators with the tribe.
Galvano’s 112-page proposal includes elements sought by the state’s influential pari-mutuel industry — such as “decoupling” of dog racing and most horse racing. If decoupling occurs, tracks would not be required to run live races while being able to offer other forms of gambling, such as cardrooms.
The measure also would set up a regulatory structure for “fantasy” sports in Florida, requiring operators to pay an initial $500,000 licensure fee and an annual $100,000 renewal fee.
House Commerce Committee Chairman Jose Felix Diaz, Galvano’s counterpart in the gambling negotiations, tweeted a response to the proposal Thursday evening.
“@FLSenate look forward to reviewing this bill and working with @BillGalvano @FLGovScott the FL House and the Tribe on this imprtnt project,” Diaz, R-Miami, wrote.
Galvano released his proposal hours after the House Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee learned about issues surrounding the compact from a state economist and gambling regulators.
Galvano said he expects the Senate Regulated Industries Committee to take up the measure at its next meeting Jan. 25, as lawmakers prepare for the March 7 start of the annual session. As in previous years, passage of any gambling proposal remains “a heavy lift,” Galvano said.
“But here it is, second committee week. We’ve got a bill out. I’m going to make an effort to see if we can get there,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
UWF Teams With Amazon To Develop Work-Study Partnership
January 13, 2017
The University of West Florida and Amazon.com are launching a corporate work-study partnership – the first in the state of Florida. The partnership forms a pathway to employment with the company.
This unique opportunity allows UWF students to earn money working for Amazon virtually while they attend the University. Students will work with a mentor and establish future connections with the company.
“This partnership with Amazon is the first in our state and enhances UWF’s efforts to support our students while they are in school and to provide pathways to excellent careers,” said Dr. Martha Saunders, UWF President. “I give this initiative two thumbs up!”
Amazon is an online retailer that pioneers and provides innovative products and services globally.
The contract will be signed this month and the program will launch in Fall 2017. Amazon will begin recruiting on campus this semester.
The positions available include customer service, virtual programs, engineering, finance, human resources, transportation, supply chain/fulfillment and international expansion.
House Won’t Consider Using BP Money For Incentives
January 13, 2017
Don’t expect settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster to be used directly to attract tourists or new businesses into Escambia County, House lawmakers said, as they consider how to flow the cash into Gulf Coast counties.
Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, said Thursday he expects his Select Committee on Triumph Gulf Coast will instead look at designating the money for infrastructure and education projects that help entire communities.
“We are not going to be focused on direct economic incentives. That’s not what we think is the best use of the dollars,” Trumbull said after the committee’s first meeting. “But we do believe that there are many opportunities to spend the money in ways that don’t have to be direct incentives.”
The select committee, comprised of Republican lawmakers from Northwest Florida, was created to oversee how 75 percent of settlement payments received by the state are distributed to the eight Panhandle counties most impacted by the disaster, as required by a 2013 state law.
Those counties are: Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Wakulla.
The other 25 percent goes to 15 other counties along the coast.
The law also created Triumph Gulf Coast, a non-profit organization within the Department of Economic Opportunity, to direct money to the eight counties for economic recovery projects, tourism efforts, educational grants and infrastructure projects.
Florida is in line to eventually receive up to $2 billion from the $4.9 billion that is to be paid by BP to resolve Gulf Coast economic claims arising from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, said Drew Bartlett, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s deputy secretary for ecosystem restoration.
The state received $400 million last year and is expected to get $106.7 million a year from 2019 through 2033.
Additional money is coming into the state and counties through separate agreements with other businesses involved in the disaster.
“So far, authorized in Florida, we’ve got a bunch of projects rolling — 100 of them — at $289 million through all these different funding streams,” Bartlett said. “We’re putting the money to work right now. There is a lot more coming.”
Prior to the House committee meeting, a trio of senators filed a measure that clarifies that the settlement money headed to the eight Gulf Coast counties is to include payments from BP received by the state before the settlement was formally finalized.
“By clarifying the requirements under current law, this legislation ensures a smooth transfer of funds to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., not only for the funds the state recently received, but also for any future settlement payments,” Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, said in a release.
Broxson sponsored the proposal (SB 364) with Sens. George Gainer, R-Panama City, and Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee.
“Nearly seven years after the spill began, on a daily basis, we are still hearing from constituents whose families and businesses were drastically impacted,” Montford said in the release. “This legislation affirms our longstanding commitment to keep these critical funds in Northwest Florida to provide for the ongoing economic recovery of our region.”
Trumbull said his committee will look at the Senate proposal.
“I know that the Senate is working towards keeping the dollars in the Panhandle, and that’s something we’re all coalesced (around) to make sure that happens,” Trumbull said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Bratt Elementary Releases Latest Honor Roll
January 13, 2017
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
AB HONOR ROLL
Kindergarten – A Honor Roll
Alexis Amerson
Eric Anthony
Sadie Baker
Landen Barlow
Abigail Brown
Alysa Bryan
Jaxon Byrd
Jerick Cooper
Carson Eady
Aubrey Flowers
Pryce Flowers
Kintley Flowers
Josyah Fontenot
Christian Fountain
Olivia Garrett
Nathan Gilmore
Autumn Heist
Sophia Ikner
Maybree Johnson
Noah Luker
Ava Marquis
Parker Marsh
Ava McCann
Mya McCants
Briley Moore
Demeatree Moorer
Natalia Morales
Rainey Nelson
Jonathan Patrick
Jade Presley
Madison Rice
Ashton Roberts
Caden Sanspree
Kaden Seelig
Kimmora Thomas
TyDereon Thomas
Javan Thompson
James Thompson
Brooklyn Turk
Na’Kiyah Williams
Taryanna Wright
First Grade – A Honor Roll
Govan Alexander
Landon Allcock
Gabrielle Boatwright
Jamarreai Davison
Logan Diller
Parker Ganey
Elizabeth Gilley
Sawyer Gilmore
Brody Hall
Camden Jacobson
John McAnally
Hunter Parker
Makinzi Roley
Adalynn Southard
Cassandra Stilwell
Kennedy Ward
Kaylee Wilson
Second Grade – A Honor Roll
Lexi Bingham
Christian Caraway
William Classen
Carlie Davis
Jacobi Dougall
Cathryn Greenwood
Lori Hall
Presley Johnson
Kaylee Long
Mikayla McAnally
Dakota Richardson
Miles Smith
Avery Stuckey
Third Grade -A Honor Roll
Desiray Bagwell
Wade Bailey
Bailey Blackwell
Jackson Bridges
Nevaeh Bush
Addison Classen
Tristan Crumm
Mary-Clayton Dawson
Talise Gregson
LanDon Johnson
Jackson Simmons
Jasmine Zisa
Colton Criswell
Fourth Grade – A Honor Roll
JaCee Dortch
Noah Faulkner
Jamison Gilman
Zyein Harris
Mary Catherine Hughes
Laura Laborde
Colby Pugh
Ally Richardson
Maggie Scott
Fifth Grade – A Honor Roll
Raegan Abbott
Sarah Bailey
Haydn Baker
Carsyn Dortch
Maggie Godwin
Ava Gurganus
Leah Hetrick
Allyson Jones
Jaquez Moorer
Jacob Spence
Emily Stilwell
Bentley Van Pelt
AB HONOR ROLL
1st Grade – AB Honor Roll
Tyler Amerson
Eli Anthony
Marquis Banks
Serenity Conway
Braxton Dinc
Jacob Dove
O’Neshia DuBose
Evelyn Esparza
Zachary Flowers
Aubrey Hadley
Sandra Hall
Ashleigh Harris
Anthony Johnson
Jaivion Kyles
Peyton Lee
Caleb Nezovich
Levi Peters
Jakel Phifer
Alivia Pierce
Madalynn Pittman
Brooklyn Reynolds
Christian Roberts
Annsleigh-Nikole Rodriguez
Chloe Satterwhite
Jackson Sellers
Breah Shelly
Noah Spence
Wyatt Spence
Kameryn Thompson
2nd Grade – AB Honor Roll
Margaret Baker
Montgomery Baker
Luke Bryan
Amara Campbell
Madilynne Cardwell
Crimson Davis
Kylar Davis
Nolan Eady
Hayden Gipson
Jackson Helton
Savannah Lowry
Khloe Mason
Logan Morris
Makayla Plato
Jamie Roberts
Jake Taylor
Raleigh Warr
3rd Grade – AB Honor Roll
Lauren Abbott
Ellie Adkins
Claire Amerson
Kylie Bailey
Isaiah Boatwright
Lindsey Brown
Michael Butler
Tyler Carach
Luke Chavers
Richard Clarke
Zakhel Clemmons
Talaysha Curry
Aakira Davis
Jordan Dawson
Addison Eicher
Allison Flowers
William Heard
Fallon Hubbard
Emily Jarvis
Tristan Johnson
Daniel Johnson
Jessica Jowers
Maxwell Mason
Samantha Minchew
Carley Moore
Kayleb Nicholson
Braylan Shelly
Justy Starns
Maggie Stewart
Charles Waters
Mya Wilson
4th Grade – AB Honor Roll
Luke Amerson
Kinslee Coker
Payton Daw
Richard Emmons
Aliyah Fountain
Jared Hudson
Adannaya Mondaca
Zakyla Smith
Sydney Snow
Bryce Stabler
Jonathon Stilwell
5th Grade – AB Honor Roll
Rabekah Abbott
Elijah Amerson
Sophia Bailey
Ethan Bingham
Kyle Blanton
Ava Brock
James Condrey
Edward Conway
Chloe Criswell
Riley Dawson
Samuel Dettling
Tyteanna Dubose
Mayson Edwards
Gage Eicher
Scotty Elliott
Zykuria Fountain
Raleigh Gibson
Berklee Hall
Joshlynn Helton
Sarah Long
Austin Minchew
Chloe Morris
Alexis Moya
Ryan Odom
William Plato
Angel Schoonover
Jaimee Taylor
Corbin Turberville
Raycer Watson
Photo: Full Moon Rises
January 13, 2017
Pictured: A full moon rises behind a tree as seen on Pine Barren Road in Bratt on January 12, 2017. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
North Escambia’s ‘Donut Boy’ Tyler Carach To Appear On National Steve Harvey Show
January 12, 2017
Tyler Carach, a Bratt Elementary School student by day and an after school superhero on a mission, will appear on national television next week.
Tyler and his mother Sheena, who is a former police officer, created the “I DONUT need a reason to THANK a cop” program. He’ll take his story to Chicago for an appearance on “Steve Harvey” on January 19.
Since buying doughnuts for four Escambia County deputies at a Bratt convenience store last August, Tyler has taken his mission on the road, providing donuts for law enforcement agencies across the county.
“You DONUT need a reason to thank a cop because everything they do is a reason to thank them, so if you see a cop today, take a second to say thank you,” Tyler said.
The Steve Harvey show with Donut boy Tyler Carach of Bratt will air at 2 p.m. on WPMI channel 15 on Thursday, January 19.
Tyler’s special appearance was filmed late last year.
Pictured top and bottom: Tyler Carach off Bratt at the Steve Harvey show in Chicago. Pictured inset: Tyler awaits his appearance in the show’s green room. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Ag Comm. Putnam Recognizes Molino Park, Other Healthy Escambia Schools
January 12, 2017
Molino Park Elementary School was one of 30 schools across the state honored by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam Wednesday.
Putnam announced Molino Park was among the schools that earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations during December, bringing the current total of Florida’s HUSSC schools to 249. Under Commissioner Putnam’s leadership, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 schools in 2012, when the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs.
Other Escambia County schools earning the designation included CA Weis, Ferry Pass, Holm, Myrtle Grove and O.J. Semmes elementary schools.
“It’s great that these schools are providing their students the nutrition and physical activity needed for academic success,” said Putnam. “Our goal is to continue working with schools to increase the amount healthy choices offered to Florida’s students.”
Escambia Building Inspections Phone Number Changes
January 12, 2017
The Escambia County Building Inspections Division’s Automated Inspection Request Line phone number has recently changed due to a permitting system upgrade. The new number is 850-273-4864, and it can be called anytime as a convenient way to schedule building inspections.
Contractors are asked to update previous contact information with the new number and supply it to their authorized agents. The old automated phone number has been disconnected and will not send inspection requests to the Building Inspections Division’s system.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Building Inspections Division at 850-595-3550 or buildinginspections@myescambia.com. For information about online inspections and other building inspection services from Escambia County, click here.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Planned In North Escambia
January 12, 2017
Mark you calendar for an Arbor Day tree giveaway in Davisville on Saturday, January 21.
Trees available will include crabapple, redbud, shumard oak and river birch.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Davisville Community Center at 10200 Highway 97.
For more information contact Carrie Stevenson, (850) 475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu or Cathy Hardin, (850) 587-5237 or Cathy.Hardin@FreshFromFlorida.com
Patients, Doctors Get Green Light For Medical Marijuana
January 12, 2017
Patients who qualify for medical marijuana under a voter-approved constitutional amendment can start purchasing cannabis treatments in as little as 90 days, according to the state’s top pot cop.
Whether patients would be able to start buying medical marijuana before the Department of Health approves rules to carry out the amendment — a process that could take at least six months — has been a source of confusion for many doctors, patients and businesses.
Florida law already allows full-strength medical marijuana, but only for terminally ill patients, as well as low-THC, or non-euphoric, marijuana for patients with epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms or cancer. Under the law, doctors must treat patients for at least 90 days before being able to enter orders for any type of cannabis treatment into a statewide database.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 2, during the Nov. 8 election. Some doctors started a push to establish three-month relationships with patients — charging as much as $400 for a preliminary visit — even before the amendment became law on Jan. 3. Others questioned if doctors could do so because the current law restricts physicians to ordering full-strength marijuana only for terminally ill patients.
But on Wednesday, state Office of Compassionate Use Director Christian Bax told reporters that it is up to doctors to decide if they want to order marijuana for patients with medical conditions eligible for treatment under Amendment 2, months before new rules are expected to go into effect.
“Should any patient establish a relationship with a physician for 90 days, the 90 days is a restriction on the timeline for which a physician can create an order. So a physician can create an order once that 90 days has happened. At that point, or any time in the future, the physician can create an order for cannabis,” Bax said after testifying at the House Health Quality Subcommittee.
“And that patient can get that order filled?” Bax was asked.
“Yes,” he said.
Bax’s position seems at odds with current law, which only allows doctors to enter orders into the database for full-strength marijuana for terminally ill patients.
But Bax said doctors should follow both the current law and the constitutional amendment, which authorizes marijuana for patients with a wide range of medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Crohn’s disease. Doctors can also order the treatment for patients with conditions similar to those listed in the amendment.
“It’s the department’s position that the registered, ordering physician is responsible for following the constitutional amendment (and) Florida statute for diagnosing patients and then for determining if that patient should receive medical cannabis,” Bax said. “And as far as enforcement for physicians, for patients, for businesses, any enforcement action initiated by the department … is going to focus on those who are operating outside the regulatory framework and Florida law.”
But Florida Medical Association General Counsel Jeff Scott warned doctors to tread carefully.
“The department today basically left it up to physicians to decide how they will incorporate the provisions of Amendment 2 into their practice. Given the lack of any regulatory framework, I would advise physicians to proceed with extreme caution,” Scott said.
Bax said Wednesday that the health agency is “committed to moving as quickly through rulemaking as possible to create a regulatory framework” for the amendment and plans to release initial rules “very soon.”
Bax said he plans to hold five public workshops on the proposed rules throughout the state. The amendment gives health officials until early July to promulgate rules and until September to put the regulations into effect.
State Sen. Rob Bradley, who played a major role in creating and passing Florida’s marijuana statutes, told The News Service of Florida he could support Bax’s stance — for now.
“I think it’s in everyone’s best interest, while we’re in this time of transition, to not be overzealous if people are acting in good faith,” Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said. “So if the department is taking the position, as you suggest, that, if somebody goes through the 90-day waiting period and places an order, the department is not going to stand in the way of that relationship, I don’t have a problem with that.”
But allowing doctors to order marijuana without rules addressing the constitutional amendment can only be a “temporary solution,” Bradley added.
“I don’t think that’s a situation that can endure forever,” he said. “I think the Legislature and the rule-making process needs to act.”
But Ben Pollara, campaign manager for the political committee that backed Amendment 2, questioned whether Bax and the Department of Health have the authority to allow doctors to do something now prohibited by state law.
“I am obviously all for patients being able to get access to their medicine as quickly as possible, so to that extent I think it’s great. But I don’t know, and I hope (Bax) does, I don’t know what legal authority he’s operating under in order to do that,” Pollara said in a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon. “If I’m a doctor, that’s not good enough for me. … That’s a legal gray area that you’re going to have to be a little nervous about.”
Bax’s comments Wednesday were his most definitive yet on the topic. Many in the marijuana industry have complained privately about Bax and the agency’s reticence to give explicit directions to doctors and dispensing organizations about what they are allowed to do.
“If this is their position, they should make that position public. They should post it on the website. They should issue some guidance to patients and doctors. It shouldn’t have to be something that people find out about in The News Service of Florida. It should be on the Office of Compassionate Use website, and it’s clear,” Pollara said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida