House Seeks More Oversight Of Florida’s Prison System
April 8, 2015
Saying that reform must happen, a Florida House panel on Tuesday pushed forward a plan aimed at increasing oversight of the state’s troubled prison system but stopped short of endorsing an independent commission included in the Senate’s corrections overhaul.
The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee approved the measure (HB 7131) in a 13-2 vote, with two Democrats objecting that the legislation does not go far enough to quash inmate abuse and cover-ups first exposed last summer.
The panel also signed off on a separate bill (HB 7113) intended to steer mentally ill people into diversion programs or other services instead of putting them behind bars. Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones, whose appointment received preliminary approval from a Senate committee earlier Tuesday, has maintained that many of her agency’s problems are rooted in a skyrocketing number of mentally ill inmates.
House Criminal Justice Chairman Carlos Trujillo, the prison reform bill’s sponsor, amended the proposal Tuesday to add two more administrative regions to the agency’s three current regions, which he said would increase accountability over the state’s 56 prisons.
The Senate’s plan, approved by the full chamber last week, would create a nine-member, governor-appointed panel that would have broad investigatory powers and essentially take over the job now performed by the agency’s inspector general, who answers to Gov. Rick Scott’s chief inspector general.
Calling his bill “a work in progress,” Trujillo did not rule out a commission but said lawmakers would be abdicating their responsibility by approving such a panel.
“One thing we won’t accept is just passing this problem onto somebody else,” Trujillo, R-Miami.
Establishing five regions — a revival of the same number of regional divisions once employed by the corrections agency decades ago — would introduce “more eyes, more bodies, more people, more boots on the ground,” Trujillo told reporters after the meeting.
“Part of the problem is you have to attack the culture,” Trujillo, a lawyer, said. “In some facilities there’s this camaraderie and this culture of, ‘This is our house and you people just have to live by whatever rules we pass,’ whether they conform with the laws of morals and ethics of everything we live by in society. That’s what has to stop.”
The House and Senate plans come in response to widespread reports about problems and abuse in the prison system. Those reports have included allegations about cover-ups involving inmate deaths, complaints from inspectors who say they faced retaliation for exposing cover-ups and complaints from guards and others about a culture of intimidation against whistleblowers.
Last week, an FBI investigation resulted in the arrest of two prison guards and one former prison worker who were allegedly members of the Ku Klux Klan. They were accused of plotting to kill an ex-inmate after he was released from a rural North Florida institution.
But Allison DeFoor, a prison-reform advocate who heads Florida State University’s Project on Accountable Justice and has pushed the oversight commission, told the panel that adding more regions won’t solve the prison system’s woes.
“It’s structurally broken. It’s not a crisis situation. It’s much worse than that,” DeFoor, a former judge and sheriff, said.
Jones, who objects to the commission as “another layer of bureaucracy,” said she supports the House’s decentralization.
“With as many facilities as we have, it’s important to have additional supervision that answers to Tallahassee, and a smaller span of control for those regional directors is going to be very helpful in the accountability piece,” Jones said Tuesday afternoon.
Jones, like her six predecessors in the past decade, is well-intended, DeFoor said.
“You can’t lift a car with good intentions. You have to have a posse. You need people to do it,” he said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
FHSAA Announces New Track And Field, Cross Country Classifications
April 8, 2015
The Florida High School Athletic Association state series assignments were announced Tuesday for track and field, and cross country for the 2015-16 through 2018-19 school years. Local schools were assigned as follows:
Class 3A
Fall 2014 student population: 1,526-2,094
DISTRICT 1
Escambia (Pensacola)
Gulf Breeze
Milton
Pace
Pensacola
Pine Forest (Pensacola)
Tate (Cantonment)
Washington (Pensacola)
Class 2A
Fall 2014 student population: 493-1,525
DISTRICT 1
Arnold (Panama City Beach)
Bay (Panama City)
Chipley (track & field only)
North Bay Haven (Panama City)
Northview (Bratt)
Pensacola Catholic
Rutherford (Panama City)
South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach)
Walton (DeFuniak Springs)
West Florida (Pensacola)
Class 1A
Fall 2014 student population: 11-493
DISTRICT 1
Baker
Central (Milton)
Freeport
Jay
Laurel Hill (cross country only)
Paxton
Pensacola Christian
Rocky Bayou Christian (Niceville)
Baseball: Northview Beats Jay; Navarre Tops Tate
April 8, 2015
BASEBALL
Northview 5, Jay 4 (8 inn.)
The Northview Chiefs defeated in the Jay Royals 5-4 Tuesday in an eight-inning district battle. The Royals will travel to Rocky Bayou Thursday, while the Chiefs will host Chipley in a district game.
Navarre 7, Tate 4
The Tate Aggies lost a road game to Navarre Tuesday, 7-4. Sawyer Smith was 1-3. Marker Miller was 2-4, Logan McGuffey was 1-3. The Aggies are on the road again Thursday against district opponent Niceville.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals in 8 innings Tuesday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Softball: Jay Beats Laurel Hill; West Florida Over Pace
April 8, 2015
SOFTBALL
Jay 13, Laurel Hill 3 (5 inn.)
The Jay Royals beat Laurel Hill 13-3 Tuesday in Jay. The Lady Royals will host the Lady ‘Canes of Flomaton Thursday afternoon.
West Florida 11, Pace 6
Pictured: The Lady Royals of Jay beat Laurel Hill Tuesday. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Victim Identified In Fiery I-65 Crash
April 7, 2015
Alabama State Troopers have released the name of the woman killled April 2 in a fiery crash on I-65 near the Flomaton exit.
The victim was identified Tuesday by troopers at 51-year old Mary Daphine Bridges of Spanish Fort, AL. She was identified with the assistance of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Bridges was the driver of the silver car in the foreground of the photos on this page.
Five other people were injured in the nine-vehicle crash which involved six passenger vehicles and three semi trucks in the northbound lanes.
For an earlier story and more photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves Paving Project Including 12 Streets
April 7, 2015
The Century Town Council has approved resurfacing and patching a dozen streets around the town.
The total cost will be $153,122.69 to contractor Roads, Inc. The project will not be bid; the council will piggyback on an existing Escambia County contract with Roads.
The following streets will be resurfaced or patched as noted:
- Jefferson Avenue – Resurface from curve at Mincey Lane to railroad tracks – $11,467.50
- Jefferson Avenue – Patch near Carver Community Center – $696
- Robert Road — Patch – $319
- Tedder Road – Patch near fire station $1,517
- Pond Street – Resurface from Century Business Center to bridge near sewer plant – $32,817.90
- Pinewood Avenue – Resurface from Hecker to Front Street – $17,701.65
- Mayo Street – Resurface from Hecker to Front Street – $25,437
- Mayo Lane – Resurface from Mayor Street to Jefferson Avenue – $16,367
- Kelly Field Road – Pave gravel road beside railroad tracks – $6,090
- Kelly Field R0ad – Overlay section between ball field and cemetery – $6,595.65
- Kelly Field Road – Resurface from Hecker Road to ballpark gate - $8,201
- Lodge Drive – Resurface from Hecker to Front Street $12,690.70
- Wood Street – Resurface from Lodge Drive to Bradley – $4,746.85
- Hecker Road -Parch near Alger Road – $725
- Renfroe Street – Resurface from Hwy 29 to Ivey Street – $5,650.35
The contract also includes mobilization fee of $2,100. There no word yet on an exact start date.
Learn To Knit, Stitch Or Can This Month At The Molino Branch Library
April 7, 2015
Patrons can learn to knit, stitch and can this month at the Molino Branch Library.
The Twisted Stitchers Yarn Club will meet Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. at the library. It’s for anyone that loves to knit, crotchet or loom knit, as participants of all ages and skill levels sit and stitch. Participants should bring their own current yard project or supplies to practice their skills.
“Canning and Food Preservation” will be presented Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at the library. Attendees will learn to preserve and can jellies and jams. Knowledgeable canners will pass down the tradition that is just one step beyond cooking.
“Learn to French Knit” will be presented at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 20 at Molino Branch Library. Participant explore the basics of French knitting and loom knitting, and learn how to make their own loom using recycled materials. Space is limited, and registration is required.
For more information, or to register for the French Knit class, call the Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1760. The Molino Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Complex.
Palm Print Leads To Vehicle Burglary Arrest
April 7, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says a palm print led to the arrest of a Cantonment man for vehicle burglary.
Justin Scott Martin, 21, was charged with felony burglary of a vehicle and petit theft. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail and remained there Tuesday morning with bond set at $35,000.
According to an arrest report, Martin burglarized two vehicles on Memphis Avenue, stealing cellular phone chargers and Gatorade worth a total of $55. Deputies said a part of the crime was caught on video.
A palm print left behind on the vehicle positively matched Martin, according to investigators.
Savage Steps Down As Century Council VP; Boutwell Appointed
April 7, 2015
Century Town Council member Annie Savage has relinquished her position as council vice president, citing health reasons.
The council voted Monday night to name Benjamin Boutwell as vice president. The vice president’s primary duty is to fill in and conduct meetings in the absence of Ann Brooks, the council president.
Savage, who periodically misses an entire meeting and is often late to meetings due to her health, will still retain her council seat.
Pictured: Annie Savage listens during Monday night’s meeting of the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Opposition To Health Expansion Adds Fuel To The Fire
April 7, 2015
Adding more drama to a $5 billion budget standoff between Republian legislative leaders, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday reversed course on his one-time support for providing health coverage for low-income Floridians as part of the federal health-care law known as Obamacare.
Scott blamed his rejection of a state Senate plan on a distrust of the federal government, the result of an apparent breakdown in negotiations between his administration and federal officials over a program that pays hospitals and health providers for unreimbursed care. The feds contribute at least $1.3 billion a year toward the Low Income Pool, or LIP, program.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last year gave the state a one-year extension on LIP — set to expire on June 30 unless Scott and federal officials reach a new agreement — but the Obama administration is unwilling to renew the program in its current form.
The Senate and Scott included $2.2 billion to cover the costs of LIP in their budget plans, but Republican House leaders did not.
To sweeten the deal for the feds, the Senate linked the revised LIP program with another $2.8 billion for the “Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange,” or FHIX, to pay insurance premiums for about 800,000 Floridians with incomes up to 133 percent of the poverty level. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government would pay the state about $47 billion over the next eight years for the program. That money would come from a pot that is earmarked for Medicaid expansion across the country, though Senate officials have tried to distance their proposal from the Medicaid program.
The House has balked outright at a Medicaid expansion — or anything that looks like a Medicaid expansion — and on Monday Scott joined the chorus of Republican naysayers.
“… Given that the federal government said they would not fund the federal LIP program to the level it is funded today, it would be hard to understand how the state could take on even more federal programs that CMS could scale back or walk away from,” Scott said in a statement.
As a candidate seeking reelection to a second term, Scott gave tepid support in 2013 to a similar Senate plan but failed to campaign for the doomed proposal’s passage.
“While the federal government is committed to pay 100 percent of the cost, I cannot, in good conscience, deny Floridians the needed access to health care,” Scott, who made his fortune in the hospital industry, told reporters in February 2013.
It may not come as a surprise that Scott, who ran as a tea party “outsider” in 2010, has shifted his position on Medicaid expansion. The conservative Americans for Prosperity has targeted Republican senators, including Senate President Andy Gardiner, for supporting the issue, part of what was once considered a cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act but which the U.S. Supreme Court left up to the states in a seminal ruling upholding the federal law.
Scott’s turnaround didn’t persuade Gardiner to back down from his chamber’s proposed fix for hospitals and low-income, uninsured Floridians.
In a statement issued Monday in response to Scott, Gardiner made a veiled threat about Scott’s push for record-high public school funding and nearly $675 million in tax cuts.
“The Senate also shares the governor’s commitment to tax relief and record funding for education; however, if our state is forced to make up the difference of $2.2 billion in hospital funding, every area of our budget will be impacted,” Gardiner, R-Orlando, said. “Moving forward the Senate will continue to advance the conservative, Florida-based, free-market solutions we have proposed. We believe these innovative, bipartisan proposals can gain the approval of our federal partners, and we stand ready to meet with the House or Governor Scott at any time to discuss a way forward.”
Without telling Scott, Gardiner last week dispatched two senators to meet with federal health officials to discuss the Senate’s plans. The next day, Scott’s office announced that the Obama administration official in charge of negotiations had abruptly ended the talks. It was later learned that the lead federal negotiator, Eliot Fishman, had left the country for a long-planned trip to Israel.
Senate budget chief Tom Lee, who met with Scott and his top aides late last week, said Monday that the governor made it clear “he was no big fan of dealing with the uninsured in Florida.”
Lee likened the Legislature’s position to being in a “box canyon,” another term for a three-sided, deep ravine with only one way in or out.
“Behind us, we have the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services telling us that we don’t have a budget solution on the one hand. And we have the governor saying you can’t fix this problem using general revenue. And on the other hand, we’ve got people saying they’re re not going to talk about insuring low-income Floridians, which is part of the problem here. We have too many Floridians creating this unreimbursed care. So we’re very much in a box canyon right now,” Lee, R-Brandon, said.
A fiery speech last week by Lee’s House budget counterpart Richard Corcoran, slated to take over as House speaker after the 2016 elections, deepened the divide between the two chambers over the coverage expansion.
“We’re not dancing this session, we’re not dancing next session, we’re not dancing this summer,” Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, said before a House vote on the budget Thursday
The showdown between the two chambers, coupled with the breakdown in talks between the Scott administration and federal officials over LIP, heightens uncertainty about whether lawmakers will finalize budget negotiations before the scheduled May 1 end of the legislative session.
Politically, the House has more to lose than the Senate by caving on the Medicaid-expansion issue, said GOP strategist J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich.
“There’s only one person here who has to prevail in his position, and that’s Rep. Corcoran. Can President Gardiner not exert himself? Can he not lay waste to all the priorities of the House? Can he not show the Senate’s strength and its outrage? Of course he can. He doesn’t have to win on Medicaid. He has to be strong and purposeful and he has to punish what is a pretty flagrant breach of protocol. But he doesn’t have to win on Medicaid,” Stipanovich said.
Meanwhile, House Republicans — and Scott — are relying on the Obama administration to come up with the LIP money left out of the House spending plan.
“In an ironic way, the perception of victory for the conservatives probably lies in the hands of their arch-enemies in Washington,” Stipanovich said.