Report Points To Tight Budget Times Ahead In Florida
September 8, 2016
Lawmakers will face a tight budget during next year’s legislative session and will likely need to take action to head off a shortfall in the near future, a new report suggests.
A draft of the state’s “long-range financial outlook,” set to be considered by a legislative commission next week, raises the prospect that “a structural imbalance” is looming.
For the coming budget year, which begins July 1, the outlook projects a surplus of just $7.5 million — a tiny sliver of the state spending plan, which is now roughly $82 billion. The following year, a budget gap of $1.3 billion could open up, followed by $1.8 billion the year after that.
That could force lawmakers to scale back expected spending or, less likely in a Legislature dominated by Republicans, to boost taxes to pay for budget increases in areas like education and health care. The financial outlook, which is prepared by state economists, is not official until approved by the Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which is made up of House and Senate members.
However, there are conclusions in the report that could change the potential shortfalls, in some cases dramatically. For example, the outlook assumes some increases in spending on areas like education and health care, projecting them to be handled the same as they have been in recent budget years.
It includes a three-year average of tax cuts, which have been popular under Gov. Rick Scott and the GOP legislative leaders, and projects similar decisions in the coming session.
And it accounts for lawmakers setting aside $1 billion each year to deal with unexpected changes in the economy or additional needs that could crop up. No major changes are expected to that policy because lowering the state’s reserves substantially could make it more expensive to issue bonds to pay for construction needs.
Still, legislative leaders admit that the forecast will prompt lawmakers to consider changes to state spending when they begin work on the budget in earnest in March.
“I think it shows that we will have difficult choices to make in the upcoming session, and I think it will force us to make decisions between competing priorities,” incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said.
He said lawmakers who oversee different areas of the state budget will have to take a deep look at whether to continue spending on items approved by previous legislatures.
“We can’t simply reaffirm the priorities of yesterday,” Negron said.
Meanwhile, legislative leaders and Scott are expected to push new priorities. Negron has proposed increasing spending on higher education by $1 billion over the next two years, as well as a plan to use bonds and federal money to boost Everglades restoration.
Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, has not outlined much in the way of new spending, though he has spoken in the past of overhauling state health-care programs in a way that could save money. Through a spokesman, Corcoran — who currently serves as the House budget chief — declined to comment before the outlook was finalized.
Scott generally unveils his budget proposals in the weeks before the annual legislative session.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon, said the report didn’t rule out the kind of spending plans proposed by Negron. But doing so would require making offsetting changes elsewhere in the budget.
“I think what that outlook says is that there’s going to have to be some realignment of priorities if additional expenditures of that magnitude are approved,” Lee said.
by The News Service of Florida
Storytime Held Each Week At A Library Branch Near You
September 8, 2016
During Storytime Wednesday at the Molino Branch Library, little readers had a chance to be silly with songs and dancing, two good stories about good manners, played with bubbles and practiced their good manners by sharing bouncy balls.
Storytime — with stories, songs and movement activities designed to build future readers — is held as follows:
Molino Branch
Weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
(No Winter Break)
Century Branch
Weekly on Thursdays at 4 p.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Pensacola Library
Weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Southwest Branch
Weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Tryon Branch
Mommy & Me: Weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Mommy & Me is a lapsit program for babies and their special someone.
Preschool Story Time: Weekly on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
(*Winter Break Dec 12 through Jan 17)
Westside Branch
Weekly on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.
(No Winter Break)
Pictured: Wednesday’s Storytime at the Molino Branch Library. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ITT Students Urged To Check Out George Stone Technical Center
September 8, 2016
Escambia County School District’s George Stone Technical Center (GSTC) is encouraging students who were enrolled in programs at ITT to consider GSTC as they ask themselves, “What now?”
“We offer programs that lead to certificates that result in students gaining the skills, and earning certifications needed, to work in the student’s desired field, rather than a traditional degree,” said GSTC Principal T.J. Rollins.
“We urge them to take time to consider their employment goals and to come in with their transcripts and meet with one of our counselors and one of our instructors. After working one-on-one, they can determine which of our programs will help them continue to move forward.”
GSTC, for example, offers four programs for those wishing to work with computers:
- Computer Systems & Information Technology (CSIT)
- Cybersecurity, Applied
- Network Support Services (CISCO)
- Network Systems Administration
“We know some feel like this has set them back months. Again, we might be able to help with that concern as well because we have students starting the beginning of every month, so they probably will not have to wait for a spring semester to get started.” Rollins said.
To find out more about programs available at GSTC, go to their web page at www.GeorgeStoneCenter.com. Their online application can be found there as well as links to learn about the variety of Career-to-a-Year programs offered. ITT students with questions about GSTC should call 850-941-6200, ext. 2129.
Let The Music Play: Escambia Academy, Northview Band Photo Gallery
September 8, 2016
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview and Escambia Academy bands from Friday night, click here (including NHS dance team, NJROTC).
For a previous game action gallery click here.
For a previous cheerleader and mini-cheerleader gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Begins Final Interviews For President On Sunday
September 8, 2016
The final interviews for the University of West Florida’s presidential candidates will start Sunday with Frank Ashley, a vice president for The College Board. Ashley will be the first of four candidates to meet with university leaders, administrators, faculty members, students and community leaders.
The format for each of the candidates will follow a similar pattern, including an hour-and-a-half open forum with faculty, staff and students. There will also be an hour-long interview with the university’s Board of Trustees. And each candidate will attend a social event with university leaders as well as community members and a dinner with trustees and members of the presidential search committee.
Ashley’s interview process will conclude late Monday morning with a meeting with the trustees, followed by a campus tour. Former state Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, will begin his interview process Monday afternoon, concluding with a dinner that evening.
On Tuesday, Martha Saunders, a vice president and provost at the University of West Florida, will be interviewed.
She will be followed on Wednesday by William M. “Mike” Sherman, a vice president and provost at The University of Akron.
On Thursday morning, the presidential search committee will meet and recommend at least three unranked candidates to the Board of Trustees, which later that day will select one of the candidates to succeed Judy Bense, who is stepping down as president at the end of this year.
Gaetz, who has a master’s degree from Troy State University, has the least university academic experience of the candidates, but he has extensive experience in the business world, having help found a hospice company that became a $500 million enterprise. He has academic experience as the former superintendent of schools in nearby Okaloosa County and as a former member of the county’s school board.
Gaetz’s strength is his political background, including serving as Senate president from 2012 to 2014. He has a deep understanding of the budget process for state universities, most recently chairing the Senate budget subcommittee on education spending. He is also a proven fund-raiser, another requirement for a university president.
Saunders has the strongest academic leadership experience, serving previously as president of the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
With a doctorate from Florida State University, Saunders also has deep ties to UWF, where she began teaching in 1984, rising to a professorship and then becoming dean of the College of Arts Sciences in 2000. She left in 2002 to take a vice president post at Columbus State University.
She served two years as president of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and then five years as president of the University of Southern Mississippi. She returned to UWF as the provost in 2013.
With a doctorate from the University of Alabama, Ashley has been with The College Board since 2013, working as a vice president. He has extensive experience at Texas A&M University, where he began teaching in 1986 rising to a professorship and then chancellor in 2007. He also served as the chief of staff at the school.
Sherman has a doctorate from the University of Texas. His longest academic stint was at The Ohio State University, where he began teaching in 1985, becoming a professor in 1993. He moved to The University of Akron, where he has served as chief operating officer and vice president for innovation and economic development.
by The News Service of Florida
Century Board Members Plead Not Guilty To Sunshine Law Violation
September 8, 2016
The first scheduled court hearing for four Century volunteer task force members charged with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law was Wednesday.
The four — Alfonzie Cottrell, Helen Mincy, Sylvia Godwin, and Robert Mitchell — were not present at the arraignment hearing and entered written not guilty pleas through attorney Kim Skievaski. They were charged by the State Attorney’s Office with having a public meeting that was not properly advertised. On July 26, a meeting was advertised to begin at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m., preventing the public from attending.
Skievaski was hired at $300 per hour by the town council to represented that task force members.
Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said the four will be offered pre-trial diversion if they take a Sunshine Law course, or if they resign from the task force and never serve on another body that falls under the Sunshine Law. Otherwise, they will face a judge trial and, if found guilty, a fine of up to $500.
If pre-trail diversion is accepted by any of the defendants, the charge against them will be dismissed if they successful meet the terms set forth.
The next court date for Cottrell, Mincy, Godwin and Mitchell is set for late October.
Pictured top: Volunteer task force members Helen Mincy, Robert Mitchell and Sylvia Godwin during a meeting on Thursday, July 28. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Miracle League To Celebrate Grand Opening Of New Baseball Field
September 8, 2016
Members of Impact 100 and the volunteers of the Miracle League of Pensacola will celebrate the grand opening of a new baseball field Friday night. The Miracle League of Pensacola provides an opportunity for the physically and mentally challenged to play baseball in a safe and encouraging environment. The generous grant received from IMPACT 100 has provided the resources to create an additional field to service future players and their families.
The grand opening celebration will be held at 6 p.m. at the Miracle League Ballpark at 555 East Nine Mile Road.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Busted For Atmore Car Lot Burglary
September 8, 2016
An adult and two juveniles were busted after an early morning burglary at an Atmore car lot.
About 2:30 a.m. Monday, officers with the Atmore Police Department responded to an alarm at Rollin’s Used Cars of West Nashville Avenue. Officers secured the area and found broken windows and interior damage in an office area. A witness relayed information about three suspects seen running from the area.
Contact was made with the three male, and they were arrested after further investigation. Derrick Anderson, 18, and two 17-year old juveniles were charged with burglary third degree and criminal mischief second degree. Anderson was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, and the juveniles were transported to the Baldwin County Juvenile Detention Center.
Wahoos Win First Playoff Game
September 8, 2016
In the opening game of the best-of-five Southern League South Division playoffs, Pensacola did it the Wahoo Way.
They extended its franchise record to 12 walk-offs this year when with the bases loaded Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson walked on four straight pitches from Mississippi closer Caleb Dirks to give Pensacola a dramatic 6-5 victory Wednesday.
The game was also entertaining for the 2,652 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium and everyone else in attendance, including Pensacola manager Pat Kelly.
“They call it Wahoo Way baseball,” a grinning Kelly said. “We’ve played it all year. We only had to score two runs to win.”
The thriller came in front of all the top brass in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
“That was outstanding,” said Walt Jocketty, President of Baseball Operations. “It was the best game I’ve seen all year.”
It appeared the game was over with the Blue Wahoos ahead, 4-3, and Southern League saves leader Alejandro Chacin taking the mound to shut down the Braves like he had done in 30 of 35 times during the regular season.
But that’s not what happened. What happened was with one out left to go in the ninth, Mississippi pinch hitter Stephen Gaylor slapped a single up the middle to score right fielder Connor Lien. A low throw from Pensacola center fielder Brandon Dixon and a high throw from second baseman Alex Blandino to home allowed Mississippi shortstop Johan Camargo to score, putting the Braves back on top, 5-4.
After the inning, a dejected looking Chacin walked slower than a turtle back to the dugout.
“We didn’t want to say it but we had a feeling in the dugout that something special was going to happen,” said veteran minor leaguer Ray Chang, who played at first base.
And it did.
Chang tied the game on a single to left field that scored left fielder Phillip Ervin to tie the game, 5-5. Chang’s double in the fourth inning that drove in Dixon also knotted the game, 1-1.
Then Hudson walked with two outs to allow Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde to score the game winning run, 6-5.
“He deserves a lot of credit,” said the 32-year-old Chang about Hudson. “That’s a big time situation. He forced him to throw strikes. That’s a big at bat.”
The Blue Wahoos and the Braves have now played in a one-run game 11 times in the clubs’ 21 meetings this season.”
“Anytime you win game one it’s huge,” Kelly said. “When we squandered an opportunity, you kind of wonder if you’re going to get a chance to get it back.”
Both clubs had their aces starting the playoff opener. Mississippi had southpaw Sean Newcomb on the mound who is the Atlanta Braves No. 3 prospect and led the Southern League with 152 strikeouts this season. He faced Pensacola right hander Rookie Davis, the Reds No. 7 prospect, who leads the team with 10 wins this year.
Davis was pumped up to start his first playoff game of his professional career against Mississippi, striking out the side in the first inning. Davis struck out five of the first nine Braves hitters and eight for the game. He tossed six innings allowing one run on three hits and a walk.
“I just wanted to set the tone for the playoffs,” Davis said. “Striking out the side was great put I was just trying to get three outs so we could get our bats going. That’s what I was going for.”
It was the 23-year-old Davis’ first start at home since being sent down from Triple-A Louisville where he was 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in five games.
“It was a learning experience,” Davis said. “It’s something I needed. After 15 years in the big leagues, I’ll be happy I went through it.”
Newcomb has been plagued this season by control issues, ranking second among Southern League pitchers in the regular season with 71 walks. In his five innings of work, he gave up only two hits and one earned run but he walked six. He also struck out six batters on 96 pitches.
Pensacola had taken the lead in the see-saw battle, 4-3, in the seventh inning when Ervin belted a line drive past the third baseman that Mississippi left fielder Dustin Peterson over ran. The ball rolled past Peterson for an error allowing both pinch hitter Ronald Bueno and Blandino to score and help the Blue Wahoos regain the lead, 4-3.
In the North Division playoff game, the Jackson Generals won just as dramatically to take a 1-0 lead against the Montgomery Biscuits. The Generals won, 3-0, over the Biscuits when Tyler O’Neill hit a walk-off three-run homer in the 10th inning at The Ballpark at Jackson. Generals pitcher Andrew Moore threw nine scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.
Atmore Police Search For Armed Robbery Suspect
September 7, 2016
The Atmore Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating the man responsible for an armed robbery early Sunday morning.
At about 4 a.m. the Kangaroo Station on North Main Street was robbed at gunpoint. The clerk told police that a male dressed in all-black clothing entered the store and pointed a silver handgun at her, and then ordered her to open the register and fill a bag with money.
After handing the gunman the bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber exited the store and went to the rear of the building. A witness stated that he got into unknown type of vehicle and drove away.
Anyone with information on the holdup is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.