Gambling Bills Likely To Spark High Stakes Debates
February 5, 2016
House and Senate leaders will roll out gambling bills Friday that would allow the Seminole Tribe to add craps and roulette at its casinos, potentially do away with dog racing and most horse racing and open the door for slot machines in Palm Beach County.
Late Thursday, Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley and his House counterpart, Regulatory Affairs Chairman Jose Felix Diaz, were working on details in the two proposals, slated for votes next week in both committees.
“We’re still working on the language. We’re going to be here all night. This is a gargantuan bill,” Diaz, R-Miami, told reporters.
Both chambers’ plans include legislation that would authorize an agreement inked by Gov. Rick Scott and Seminole tribal chief James Billie last month. That deal, called a “compact,” would allow the Seminoles to add craps and roulette at each of the tribe’s seven Florida casinos, on top of banked card games — such as blackjack — already in play at most of the Seminoles’ facilities.In exchange, the Seminoles have agreed to pay the state $3 billion over seven years — triple a $1 billion, five-year deal that expired last summer — in what is believed to be the largest tribal revenue-sharing agreement in the country.
Separate bills will address pari-mutuel-industry issues that are permitted, but not specifically authorized, by the proposed compact, according to Bradley and Diaz.
To make the bills more palatable to gambling-leery lawmakers, the measures would do away with dormant pari-mutuel permits and eliminate some active permits.
But one of the most controversial items would allow horse tracks to do away with racing all types of horses except thoroughbreds, a process known as “decoupling,” while keeping more lucrative card rooms and, for some, slot machines. A portion of the revenues from the compact would go to supplement purses for thoroughbred horse races, now running at Gulfstream Racetrack and Tampa Bay Downs.
Greyhound tracks would also be allowed to decouple, an idea that has been supported by many lawmakers but has faced opposition from greyhound breeders, owners and kennel operators. Horse breeders, owners and trainers also have strenuously objected to decoupling.
Decoupling horses “would essentially make welfare queens out of horsemen by creating an artificial set-aside market” and “wipes out any semblance of free enterprise,” the United Florida Horsemen, representing owners, breeders and trainers, said in a statement.
Jai alai operators would have to keep their games under both proposals.
The measures would also allow slot machines in Palm Beach County and at a new facility in Miami-Dade County. Permits for the slots would be attained through a procurement process and would require operators to give up active permits to be eligible for the new games.
The Senate proposal — which Bradley called “an aggressive plan to reduce gaming” in Florida — would also allow Scott to “buy back” active permits, using money from the revenue-sharing agreement with the tribe. The House is not expected to include that provision in its initial roll-out, Diaz said.
The House will also offer a third measure, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for any expansion of gambling after the compact and accompanying pari-mutuel changes are approved, Diaz said. The Senate is not yet proposing a similar measure.
The pari-mutuel-related bills would also reduce the tax rate on slot machines paid by Miami-Dade and Broward pari-mutuels, known as “racinos.” The proposed compact would allow a 10 percent drop from the current 35 percent tax rate.
Diaz said his proposal will include a 5 percent tax reduction, and up to another 5 percent for pari-mutuels that agree to reduce the number of slot machines at their facilities. The South Florida operators each are allowed to have up to 2,000 slot machines, but all have fewer than that number, and some only have about 1,000, Diaz said.
Blackjack is off the table for the racinos, Diaz said, although the proposed compact would permit the games — limited to 15 tables, and capped at maximum bets of $15 — for the Miami-Dade and Broward facilities.
The Palm Beach Kennel Club, which for years has pushed for slots, would be able to add 750 slot machines and 750 “video racing” terminals, if it wins the bid for the permit.
Who gets slots has also been a point of contention for lawmakers. Voters in six counties — including Palm Beach — have approved slots for their local pari-mutuels, but gambling regulators have refused to sign off on the lucrative games. The Florida Supreme Court is now considering whether Gretna Racing, a small horse track and card room managed by the Poarch Creek Indias in Gadsden County, should be allowed to have slots without the Legislature’s express permission. Voters in six counties — including Gadsden and Palm Beach — have approved slots for their local pari-mutuels.
With the 60-day legislative session nearing its midway point, Scott and the Seminoles have stepped up pressure on lawmakers to approve the compact.
Lawmakers have plenty of time, Diaz said Thursday.
“I think it’s pretty early,” he said, adding that the bill could be more difficult to pass as the end of the 2016 session approaches.
Diaz also said “we have the votes in my committee” to pass the measures.
“Things could change and people could change. But the members understand that this is a work in progress and they’ll have another vote on it” before it reaches the floor, he said.
“Everybody’s ideal scenario won’t come true. There will be tough decisions for us to make as a body. I don’t know if there will be anybody out there that will feel like they got everything they wanted,” Diaz said. “But the bill …will be in a posture that is passable and will continue the conversation for us live to fight another day.”
But Bradley — whose committee includes senators who are opposed to any expansion of gambling as well as those who want slots in Gadsden and Lee counties — wasn’t as confident. Like Diaz, Bradley said he expects committee members to propose amendments to the legislation next week. The fate of the bills could hinge on what gets added to the measures.
“Right now, it’s a jump-ball,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
One Injured, One Ticketed In Wreck With ECAT Bus
February 5, 2016
One passenger was injured when an ECAT bus was hit by a vehicle on Chemstrand Road near Nine Mile Thursday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 28-year old Jonnathan Banuelos, age 28 of California, pulled out of a bank parking lot into the path of the transit bus driven by 55-year old Jerome Bess of Pensacola. Neither driver was injured.
One of four passengers on the bus at the time of the crash was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Banuelos was cited for careless driving by the FHP.
ECAT Plans To Add Multiple New Bus Stop Shelters
February 5, 2016
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) and Escambia County Public Works Division of Transportation and Traffic Operations has planned changes and additions to the facilities at several bus stops, including new shelters in Cantonment.
Changes are planned as follows:
New bus stop shelters, replacing current signs:
- Highway 29 at Muscogee Road – in front of the Raceway gas station
- Highway 29 in Cantonment – in front of the Winn Dixie
- Brent Lane – in front of the Carmike Theater and Mellow Mushroom
- Creighton Road – in front of Wal-Mart once the route is changed
- Old Spanish Trail Road at Olive Road
- Untreiner Avenue at Lepley Road
- Palafox Street – just north of Burgess Road
- Navy Boulevard at Pines at Warrington apartments
- Bayou Boulevard – in front of Target
Relocation of existing amenities:
- 9th Avenue at College Boulevard – replace bench with a shelter
- 9th Avenue at Springhill Drive – replace bench with a shelter
- 9th Avenue at Creighton Road, in front of CVS – replace bench with a shelter
Recently installed shelters:
- Wal-Mart on Navy Boulevard – replaced the bench with a shelter
- E Street, North of Avery Street – replaced the bench with a shelter
- Nine Mile Road – in front of Baptist Hospital
- Highway 29 at Boone Street – replaced the bench with a shelter
- Palafox Street and Jordan Street – in front of the Escambia County Health Department
- Fairfield Drive in front of Pensacola Village – replaced dilapidated shelter
- Truman Avenue – west of W Street
- University Parkway – north of Nine Mile Road on both sides of road
Pictured: A new bus stop shelter is planned for the corner of Muscogee Road and Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge
Northview Chiefs Honor Football Best During Banquet
February 5, 2016
The Northview Chiefs honored the best of their 2015 season Thursday night during their annual football banquet.
Pictured top: The Chief Award was presented to Jared Aliff and Dustin Bethea.
(Scroll down for additional awards listed below photos.)
Offensive Awards were presented to Hunter Cofield, Luke Ward and Tony Harris.
Defensive Awards were presented to Zachary Hollad, Jacob Weaver and MJ Jones.
Pictured: Seniors were also honored. (L-R) Tyler Berry, Zach Steele, LaDarius Thames, I’siah Dunn, Jacob Dunsford and Zachary Holland. Photos by Melissa Ward for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alimony Overhaul On The Move In Florida House
February 5, 2016
A House panel signed off Thursday on a proposal that would overhaul the state’s alimony laws by doing away with permanent alimony and creating a formula based on the length of marriage and the incomes of both spouses to determine payments.
Years in the making, the measure has the blessing of alimony reform advocates and the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar.
A nearly identical measure fell apart during the final days of last spring’s shortened legislative session after the two sides — once at odds over alimony reform — had reached a compromise.
The effort got enmeshed last year in an acrimonious battle between two powerful Republican lawmakers — Senate budget chief Tom Lee and House Rules Chairman Ritch Workman — over whether the proposal should also address time-sharing of children between divorcing parents, something Lee wanted. Workman said the time-sharing issue killed the deal, but Lee disputed that was the reason for the bill’s demise.
On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee approved its version of this year’s measure (HB 455) — which doesn’t include the time-sharing element — in a 14-3 vote after hearing emotional testimony from divorced spouses on both sides of the issue.
Rep. Colleen Burton, the bill’s sponsor, said the changes are needed to provide certainty when couples are divorcing.
“This is a bill that, across our state, provides a framework that provides wherever you live in the state, you walk in and can ensure you’ll receive equal treatment no matter where you are,” Burton, R-Lakeland, said.
Burton’s proposal would eliminate certain types of alimony, known as bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational and permanent alimony. It would also change what are now considered short-term, mid-term and long-term marriages. Under the new plan, the category of mid-term marriages would be eliminated and long-term marriages, now defined as 17 years or longer, would apply to unions of 20 years or more.
The formula for the duration of alimony payments would be based on the number of years of marriage, while the amount of the payments would rely on a couple’s gross income — the higher earner’s salary minus the earnings of the spouse seeking alimony — and would set the length of time for alimony payments.
Divorcing spouses who have been married for less than two years would not be eligible for alimony, unless a judge gives written findings for an exception.
The bill does not include a retroactivity provision that prompted Gov. Rick Scott to veto an alimony-reform measure three years ago.
Representing the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, Tampa lawyer Joe Hunt said judges throughout the state, or even within the same county, make different alimony decisions even when given the same sets of facts.
The proposal “provides guidelines that are well overdue,” Hunt said.
But critics object that the changes would hurt older women, who stayed at home to raise children and then have a hard time finding jobs.
Shelly Moxon Lehman told the panel she was a domestic-abuse victim who was married for 18 years before getting divorced. Other women might stay in abusive relationships if they aren’t able to get financial support from ex-husbands, Lehman warned.
Lehman, 56, said she’s out of work, although she has a college degree.
“I was stuck raising our children by myself. … And now I am destitute. I’m on food stamps,” she said.
Family Law Reform founder Alan Frisher, who’s been fighting for eight years to get the law changed, said he was hopeful that lawmakers would pass this year’s proposed overhaul.
“Luckily, everybody’s playing nicely in the sandbox,” Frisher said after the meeting.
And the Bar’s family law section lobbyist, Nelson Diaz, said he believes the proposal will also get Scott’s blessing.
Three out of five Democrats on the committee supported the measure, Diaz noted.
“I haven’t gotten assurances from the governor, but I think he can be persuaded to sign it,” Diaz said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to give that chamber’s proposal (SB 668), which includes a modified version of the time-sharing component, an initial vetting on Tuesday.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Tate High’s Jones Signs With Alabama Southern Softball
February 5, 2016
Tate High School senior Meagan Jones has signed to play softball with Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville, AL. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Payne Signs With Morehouse College
February 5, 2016
Tate High School senior Reginald Payne signed Thursday with Morehouse College in Atlanta, an affiliate of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Photo courtesy Tate Football for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Getting Out Of A Tight Space: Confined Space Rescue Training
February 4, 2016
Escambia County Fire Rescue first responders learned about getting out of a tight spot — a really tight spot – during training held at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment.
Members of Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Special Operations team from Brent’s Station 3 and “Ladder 12″ from the Osceola Fire Station worked their way through the training, which included successfully getting into, and out of, a pipe that was barely shoulder-width. The training included setting up the necessary rope and rigging to enter the confined space, with am emphasis on safety.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Look At Revamping Prison Vocational Programs
February 4, 2016
A House panel Wednesday approved a proposal that would make a major change in programs that provide job training to prison inmates.
The bill (HB 1229), filed by House Judiciary Chairman Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, would take the programs away from the non-profit Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc., and put them under the Department of Corrections.
The non-profit, commonly known as PRIDE, was created in the 1980s to manage the programs, which sell goods and services produced by inmates.
McBurney told the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee that he has received complaints from other lawmakers about PRIDE, which a House staff analysis said “has drawn mixed reviews for generating significant profits while failing to increase the number of inmates participating” in work programs.
“It’s time to do a change,” McBurney said. “The Department of Corrections could do it better.”
But Wilbur Brewton, a lobbyist for PRIDE, cited statistics about inmates who move into jobs when they are released from prison and said PRIDE does not rely on state funding. “It now costs the state zero to take care of this issue,” Brewton said. The Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved the bill, which still would need to clear two more House committees.
A Senate version (SB 1606), filed by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, has not been heard in committees.
by The News Service of Florida
Flood Warning For Escambia River
February 4, 2016
A flood warning for the Escambia River at Century has been extended until Sunday morning.
The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 17 feet Friday evening and continue to rise near 17.1 feet by early Saturday morning. The river will fall below flood stage by Sunday morning. At 17 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands will occur.
Pictured: The Escambia River floods the road approaching Fischer’s Landing. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.