Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Redistricting, Elections Heat Up
July 19, 2015
The mid-summer classic in baseball usually means Florida gets to settle into a sweltering, snowbird-free serenity, with eyes throughout the peninsula shifting to the tropics for hurricanes and the near horizon for the latest brush fire.
In Tallahassee, summer also means a slowdown in the pace of life, including a respite from lawmakers, fewer cars on the road, open barstools and even more talk than usual about Florida State University football.
But this summer, it’s hard to escape the politics filling the capital air.
Courts have moved lawmakers toward holding the second special legislative session of the year, this time to redraw congressional district lines.
Also, the 2016 presidential contest, with Floridian Marco Rubio hoping to capture the White House, has created a spillover effect of an open U.S. Senate seat. That drew in Florida’s lieutenant governor this week and has also started a chain reaction in at least three congressional districts involving ambitious state and local politicians.
Accompanying the maneuvering by politicians, Floridians also found out this week that rival groups will pitch alternative constitutional amendments in 2016 on solar energy.
RAINING SOLAR AMENDMENTS
Floridians got a preview of just how messy the battle over expanding solar energy might get during the next year.
Conflicting constitutional amendments about the future of solar energy in Florida are now being proposed by competing groups.
The state Supreme Court is already reviewing the language in a constitutional amendment proposed by Floridians for Solar Choice. That proposal would allow businesses and homeowners to generate and sell relatively small amounts of solar energy.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co., Gulf Power, the Florida League of Cities and a number of influential business groups in recent weeks expressed their opposition to that proposal.
On Wednesday, a new group emerged proclaiming it too wants to place before voters an amendment.
Former state Rep. Jim Kallinger, a co-chairman of Consumers for Smart Solar, said during a brief news conference in Orlando that his group is making the counter proposal because the amendment now before the state’s top court “will result in subsidies, higher taxes or user fees, and an unfair balance for consumers, meaning that some will pay more than their fair share to maintain the cost of the grid while others get a free ride.”
Kallinger’s group also released a video that contends the coalition behind Floridians for Solar Choice is a front for what is actually a “shady” power grab by out-of-state solar companies.
Floridians for Solar Choice — which counts among its members the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, the Florida Retail Federation and the Sierra Club Florida — responded that the newest opposition “is a slickly developed campaign to potentially confuse voters” and said it believes the effort is supported by energy companies.
“We’re the grassroots, we’re the people begging and asking for choice,” Tory Perfetti, chairman of Floridians for Solar Choice, told reporters during a conference call Wednesday. “What this is, is an attempt by us to open up and give citizens further control of their own bills and have the ability to lower them. And anyone who is standing against this is representing the actual elite class which controls how much people pay in this state.”
Floridians can expect to find both groups outside libraries and other public venues for the rest of this year trying to collect signatures of registered voters.
CLOCK TICKING ON REDISTRICTING
The Florida Supreme Court made clear last week lawmakers would have to move quickly to redraw congressional districts that the court found unconstitutional. Then, a circuit judge turned up the pressure even more.
On Wednesday Leon County Circuit Judge George S. Reynolds III told lawmakers that a special legislative session to redraw the districts and a subsequent trial must be finished by Sept. 25.
Oh, but first Reynolds — who one could kindly guess is an extreme optimist — said he wants attorneys for lawmakers and voting-rights groups challenging the congressional lines to try reach an agreement on the time needed for the latest changes.
“The court will do its best to accommodate everyone’s schedule, but clearly there is not much time to do all that is required and the court reserves the right to enter a scheduling order that it believes is necessary to provide for a fair and expeditious resolution of this matter,” Reynolds wrote.
The Supreme Court last week tossed out eight congressional districts because it found that lawmakers violated a 2010 constitutional amendment aimed at preventing gerrymandering. Redrawing the eight districts, however, also will affect other districts.
SENATE PRIMARY LINES
Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who on Wednesday jumped into the U.S. Senate race, may not have gotten any rousing endorsement from the man who he accompanied in the 2014 gubernatorial election.
In fact, Gov. Rick Scott was in Jacksonville for a ceremonial bill signing as his number two was in South Florida kicking off the senatorial campaign.
But others have quickly taken sides in the Republican primary for Rubio’s seat.
Chief among those stepping up to support Lopez-Cantera was Bondi, who some earlier this year speculated would also run for the Senate in 2016.
However, Lopez-Cantera will have to overcome criticism from the far-right that he may not be conservative enough.
Ken Cuccinelli II, president of the Senate Conservatives Fund, which is backing Northeast Florida Congressman Ron DeSantis, has wasted little time labeling Lopez-Cantera, a former state House majority leader, as a “RINO,” the infamous “Republican in name only” moniker.
“Lopez-Cantera’s record includes supporting wasteful spending at the state level, in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, and former governor Charlie Crist’s budget that raised taxes by $2.2 billion,” Cuccinelli wrote to members in a “RINO alert” memo.
Meanwhile, a few more big name Republicans may also come off the bench to run, with decisions expected from Tampa Bay-area Congressman David Jolly and Northwest Florida Congressman Jeff Miller.
And the GOP fight shouldn’t overshadow what is expected to be an equally contentious scrap on the Democratic side of the ledger as Congressmen Alan Grayson of Orlando and Patrick Murphy of Jupiter seek Rubio’s seat.
The move by congressmen to run for higher office is already rippling through the state and county levels. State Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, announced Thursday he is running in Grayson’s district, joining at least three other Democrats. Also, the candidacies of Murphy and DeSantis have touched off races in their congressional districts.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee heard arguments Tuesday from Florida Carry Inc., which contends students and other people residing in on-campus housing at the University of Florida should be allowed to have firearms.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:”Are you going to ask the congressmen who are running for this office the same question?” — Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera when asked if his campaign for U.S. Senate would interfere with his duties as lieutenant governor.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Smith, Winker Smash Homers In Wahoos 3-1 Win Over B’ham
July 19, 2015
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Marquez Smith and Jesse Winker both hit solo home runs against the Birmingham Barons Saturday at Regions Field to win its second game in a row.
Smith crushed a fly ball deep to left field for his fifth homer of the season in the fourth inning and Winker lined a drive to right center field for his sixth homer in the eighth inning.
The five-game series between Pensacola and Birmingham is tied at two games apiece after the Blue Wahoos, 3-1, victory. Pensacola, which has won eight of its last 10 games, plays the final game of the series with the Barons at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Smith, who was the DH, currently has five homers and 29 RBIs, while Winker, who was playing left field, now has six homers and 31 RBIs.
Pensacola went ahead, 2-1, when it scored its other run in the seventh inning after shortstop Juan Perez doubled in third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean, who doubled to lead off the inning.
Birmingham had tied the game, 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning when first baseman Danny Hayes singled on a line drive to right field to score third baseman Nick Delmonico.
Pensacola starter Daniel Wright improved to 6-7 with a 4.57 ERA, after scattering nine hits and striking out four in eight innings of work. It was Wright’s third win in four games and his longest start of the year for the Blue Wahoos.
In his past two games, both wins, Wright has allowed one earned run in 15 innings for a 1.20 ERA that dropped his ERA below 5.0 runs per game for the first time this season.
Zack Weiss earned his team-leading 10th save, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out one.
Pensacola catcher Kyle Skipworth’s franchise record five home runs in five games was broken and Zach Vincej’s hitting streak ended at 10 games.
Mejias-Brean, who doubled Saturday in four at bats, has gotten a hit in 12 of his last 15 games, including four multi-hit games. He is now batting .255 on the year.
Pensacola is now 13-9 in the second half of the Southern League season and is tied for first place in the South Division. The last time the Blue Wahoos were in first place this late in the season was July 22, 2012.
The Barons dropped to 16-5 in the second half and lead the North Division by five games over the Montgomery Biscuits.
The Blue Wahoos return home to play the Jacksonville Suns July 20-21 and the Biloxi Shuckers July 22-26.
Sheriff’s Office ‘Clean Sweeps’ Milestone Area
July 18, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a Clean Sweep operation this week in the Milestone area around 9½ Mile Road.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” was to work with local neighborhood watch members, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers also worked throughout the day to clean trash and debris from alongside neighborhood streets.
During the event, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office issued 11 traffic citations, once search warrant was executed and a seven sex offender addresses were verified. There were 30 code violations cited, and three tons of debris was removed. There were two arrests.
Fomer IRS Employee, Three Others Sentenced In Mail Fraud Scheme
July 18, 2015
Four Escambia County residents, including a former IRS tax examiner, have been sentenced to prison for conspiring to file false claims for payment in connection with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recently, Rosa M. Bonner, 52, and Ariyanna S. Lampley, 33, were sentenced to 27 months and 48 months in prison respectively. This week, Jimmie A. McCorvey, 41, and Marcia D. McCorvey, 42, were sentenced to 72 months and 12 months and one day in prison respectively.
All defendants entered guilty pleas, admitting their participation in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The conspiracy involved the filing of false claims with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (“GCCF”) alleging lost income as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
Between 2010 and 2012, the defendants agreed to have Jimmie McCorvey file false GCCF claims in their names and other names provided by Lampley, seeking more than $327,000 in payments for alleged lost earnings and profits as a result of the spill. Jimmie McCorvey fraudulently used Pensacola addresses to indicate that all claimants lived and worked in Pensacola. As a result of these false claims, GCCF paid $95,200 to the defendants.
Jimmie McCorvey, who was an IRS employee at the time, also admitted to conspiring with Lampley and others to prepare and file approximately 25 fraudulent federal income tax returns between 2009 and 2011, resulting in the issuance of more than $62,000 in tax refund checks.
The fraudulently obtained tax refund checks were deposited in bank accounts controlled by Lampley, who paid Jimmie McCorvey a portion of each check. Jimmie McCorvey also pled guilty to aggravated identity theft for fraudulently using other people’s identities in both schemes.
Scott: Escambia Area Added More Than 4,000 Jobs Over Year In June
July 18, 2015
Governor Rick Scott announced Friday that the Escambia County area again experienced positive annual job growth over the year in June 2015 with 4,100 new jobs. The metro area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.9 percentage point over the year, from 6.3 percent in June 2014 to 5.4 percent in June 2015. Florida businesses have added more than 896,000 private-sector jobs since December 2010.
Governor Scott said, “With 4,100 new jobs added over the year in June, more Floridians in the Pensacola area have the opportunity to provide for their families and fulfill their dreams. We will keep working to cut taxes, create jobs, and make Florida the best state for businesses and families to succeed.”
The industries with the largest job gains in the Pensacola metro area over the year were trade, transportation, and utilities with 1,100 new jobs and education and health services with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola metro area had the fastest annual job growth rate compared to all metro areas in financial activities at 4.6 percent in June 2015. The Pensacola metro area had 5,982 online job openings in June 2015 and 1,153 openings for high wage, high skill science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations.
Florida created 12,200 private-sector jobs in June 2015, and a total of 896,900 private-sector jobs since December 2010. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate for June 2015 was 5.5 percent. In June, more than 33,200 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Escarosa and the state’s other 23 regional workforce boards.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Agencies Prep For Emergencies
July 18, 2015
A two-county activation meeting was held Friday at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center. The meeting allowed public information, marketing and public relations representatives from various Escambia and Santa Rosa county agencies to review their emergency procedures in supporting local EOC’s and local media.
Pictured above: Dialogue on the importance of communication during an potential emergency and disaster. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Caregiver Arrested For Medicare Fraud
July 18, 2015
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with the assistance of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Friday arrested Gloria Michal’le Hardaway, 25, for allegedly defrauding the Florida Medicaid program out of more than $5,500.
According to the investigation, Hardaway, a caregiver working in Escambia County, failed to report to her employer that she had previously been arrested for Medicaid fraud, making her ineligible to work in the health care field or submit reports for Medicaid billings.
On March 31, 2014, Hardaway was arrested and charged with Medicaid fraud and grand theft. She entered a plea of nolo contendere and was sentenced to probation with a special condition that prohibited her from working in the health care field.
Hardaway is charged with one count of Medicaid fraud and faces up to five years in prison and up to $32,000 in fines, and restitution. William “Bill” Eddins, Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, will prosecute the case.
Gulf Power Crews Return After Restoring Power In Birmingham
July 18, 2015
A storm team of nearly 80 crew and support staff from Gulf Power along with 15 distribution line contractors returned home Friday after helping sister company Alabama Power restore power in the Birmingham. Alabama Power reported that 35,500 customers were without power in the state, including 23,700 in the Birmingham metro area, after severe storms Tuesday night.
The Gulf Power crews deployed from various company locations including Pensacola, Crestview and Chipley this afternoon.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Silver Alert Canceled
July 18, 2015
A previously issued Escambia County Silver Alert has been canceled. The missing woman has been located safely.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for 75-year old Frankie Merkman who is missing from Escambia County.
She was last seeen in the 2400 block of West DeSoto Street in Pensacola. She was last seen wearing a beige shirt, blue jeans, black shoes and a black purse. She may be traveling in a black four-door, Nissan Sentra with Florida tag number K820CQ.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Frankie Merman should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
A “Silver Alert” is an alert for missing seniors similar to an “Amber Alert” issued for missing children.
Wahoos Beat Birmingham
July 18, 2015
Juan Duran singled in Ray Chang to help the Pensacola Blue Wahoos snap its two game losing streak and defeat the Birmingham Barons, 6-5, Friday at Regions Field.
In the sixth inning, Pensacola sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs to take the lead, 6-5, and snap its two-game losing streak to the Barons.
The Blue Wahoos sixth inning rally began when Pensacola loaded the bases with none out when catcher Yovan Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly that scored third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean to cut Birmingham’s lead to, 5-2.
Chang, a second baseman leading Pensacola with a .323 average, then hit a single to drive in Sean Buckley to pull the Blue Wahoos within, 5-3, of the Barons.
Pensacola left fielder Jesse Winker then hit a sacrifice fly to score shortstop Juan Perez and the Blue Wahoos pulled to within, 5-4. Pensacola first baseman Marquez Smith then singled with two out to tie the game, 5-5, when center fielder Beau Amaral crossed the plate.
The Blue Wahoos finally took its second lead of the game, 6-5, when Duran, a Pensacola right fielder, singled to left field to score Chang. Duran was 1-4 with two RBIs and is hitting .260. Smith was thrown out at home plate trying to score, too, which ended the inning.
Pensacola went ahead 1-0 to start the game in the first inning when Duran hit a sacrifice fly that scored Winker.
However, Birmingham would score the next five runs with two in the second and third and one in the fifth. Barons second baseman Joey DeMichele hit his fourth triple of the season to score two runs in the second inning. In the third, third baseman Nick Delmonico doubled in shortstop Tim Anderson, while Delmonico scored on a double play to put the Barons ahead, 4-1.
Birmingham left fielder Christian Marrero hit his 11th home run of the season to right center to put the Barons up, 5-1.
Then, Pensacola reliever Miguel Celestino finished off the Barons by striking out Anderson after allowing two consecutive singles and preserved the Pensacola victory for his third save of the year.
Mejias-Brean has hit in 12 of his last 14 games, including four multi-hit games. He’s batting 15-51 or .294 and scored nine times, hit a homer and driven in four runs since July 2.
Pensacola is now 12-9 in the second half of the Southern League season and is tied for first place in the South Division with the Mississippi Braves. The last time the Blue Wahoos were in first place this late in the season was July 22, 2012.
The Barons dropped to 16-4 in the second half and lead the North Division by five games over the Montgomery Biscuits.