Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: A Dream Of A State Of The State
March 7, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott is downright dreamy.
About Florida, that is.
Scott shared his vision for the Sunshine State with lawmakers Tuesday during his fifth State of the State speech, repeatedly extolling Florida’s “exceptionalism” and dreaminess.
Apart from the opening-day theatrics, there’s another sure sign that the 2015 legislative session is in full swing. Simply ride an uncomfortably crowded elevator to the fifth floor of the Capitol to witness lobbyists sporting Louboutons or hand-tailored suits scrounging for free snacks.
Although the fun has just begun, forgive those whose thoughts have already turned to May, goaded perhaps by the remarks of the governor, whose focus on dreams brought to mind these ethereal lines penned by Shakespeare.
“Our revels now are ended. These our actors, as I foretold you, were all spirits, and are melted into air, into thin air,” Prospero advises. “And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
FLORIDA EXCEPTIONALISM
Widely known as one of the least camera-ready chiefs of state in Florida’s recent history, Scott opened his 21-minute speech with some self-deprecating humor.
The annual address gave “a chance for me to show off my world-renowned oratorical skills,” Scott said before launching into a litany of Florida’s virtues, including an emphasis on the good things achieved during his first term.
Scott also used the opportunity to coax lawmakers to adopt his proposals to slash taxes, hold down the cost of higher education and boost public education spending to the highest per-student level in state history.
“Now that our economy is thriving, it’s time to make major investments in education,” Scott said. “Let’s not squander our budget surpluses on special interests. Our budget should absolutely reflect the principles we campaigned on. Or in other words, we should do exactly what we told voters we would do.”
Scott did not unveil new proposals in the speech which, after the introductions, was interrupted almost 40 times for applause. But as he has done in the past, the governor introduced an overarching theme to tie together his agenda. He used “dream” or some form of the word 19 times in the address.
“Florida’s long been a place where dreams come true. But this is not just our past, it’s our future. … We want more people to chase their dreams in the great state of Florida,” he said.
Floridians can expect to hear more about Scott’s dream theme over the next four years.
Two days after his State of the State address, Scott’s political committee released a statewide television ad echoing his Tuesday remarks.
“One place in America is adding jobs faster than ever — Florida, where dreams come true,” Scott says in the 30-second ad.
The governor plans to use the “Let’s Get to Work” committee to “market his vision for the state to Floridians during his second term in office,” Republican political consultant Brecht Heuchan, who’s been hired as a senior adviser to the committee, said.
WATER FLOWS THROUGH THE HOUSE
Indicating how important the issue is to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, a wide-ranging water policy measure was the first piece of legislation approved by his chamber during the 2015 session.
The House on Thursday passed a plan that would make changes to the management of the state’s natural springs and address drinking-water issues across Central Florida as well as the flow of pollution in and out of Lake Okeechobee.
The proposal (HB 7003), backed by the state’s agriculture industry and influential business groups, must still get through the Senate, whose members have their own ideas about changing the state’s water policies to meet the demands of a newly approved constitutional amendment about land and water conservation.
Environmentalists and a number of Democrats are pinning their hopes on the Senate damming up many of the House’s proposals.
“This is a foundational place for us to begin on this bill,” Crisafulli, a Merritt Island Republican whose family owns agricultural land, told reporters after the 109-6 vote. “We’re going to continue to communicate with our Senate partners on it. But at the end of the day, we’re very comfortable where we are starting.”
The House plan would impose what are known as “best management practices” for natural springs, the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee. Also, water-management districts would be directed to implement a water-management plan across Central Florida.
Environmentalists contend that “best management practices” are simply guidelines that fail to mandate needed improvements.
The Senate version, which closely mirrors a proposal senators considered last year, is heavily focused on protecting the state’s natural springs. It also would establish a method to prioritize various water projects and create a non-motorized trail network, which is backed by Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando.
In contrast to the Senate proposal, the House measure does not include springs-protection zones, which would regulate the impact of septic tanks and the flow of storm water and agricultural runoff into springs.
Speaking against the House bill, House Minority Leader Mark Pafford said he’d prefer legislation that directs money from the constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 1, to conserve land and water and questioned the speed in which the bill was rushed to the floor.
“There is very little conservation in (HB) 7003, there’s very little land discussion,” Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, said. “We’re talking comprehensive water fixes. Couldn’t they have taken more time?”
REDISTRICTING BATTLE ROLLS ON
Across the street from the Capitol on Wednesday, the Florida Supreme Court was the setting for the latest chapter in a long-running battle between voting-rights organizations and lawmakers about whether a congressional map violates the anti-gerrymandering Fair Districts amendments, approved by voters in 2010.
Several GOP legislative leaders — including future House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes; potential future Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton; and Senate Rules Chairman David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs — took time out from the session to attend the oral arguments, a rarity that highlighted the significance of the pending decision.
Attorneys for groups that have challenged the map asked the Supreme Court to order a third draft of the state’s congressional districts to fully eliminate illegal gerrymandering.
But lawyers for the Legislature said Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis acted appropriately last year when he upheld lawmakers’ second version of the map, drawn after Lewis found that political consultants managed to “taint the redistricting process and the resulting map with improper partisan intent” the first time around.
Wednesday’s hearing dealt only with the new congressional map. A related case concerning a challenge to a Senate map — drawn in 2012 after the Supreme Court struck down the first draft of that plan — is ongoing.
Plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters of Florida, initially hailed Lewis’ decision to strike down the first draft of the congressional map based on two districts he thought were problematic. But the groups later appealed when the Tallahassee judge accepted a redrawn plan that made only as many changes as necessary to correct those districts.
“The entire map should be declared unlawful because the entire process was unlawful,” attorney John Devaney told the justices Wednesday.
But at least one member of the Supreme Court’s more-conservative minority was skeptical that Lewis’ ruling supported that claim.
“Where is there a general finding that this whole map was the result of a partisan intent?” asked Justice Charles Canady.
Lewis struck down the first version of Congressional District 5, which winds from Jacksonville to Orlando and is represented by Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressional District 10, which is in the Orlando area and is represented by Republican Congressman Dan Webster.
Those challenging the maps said the Legislature should have redrawn Brown’s district to run from east to west, instead of continuing to run north to south. The NAACP, however, filed a brief backing the current configuration because the civil-rights group fears an east-west map could hurt the ability of African-Americans to elect a candidate of their choice in that district.
The plaintiffs also highlighted the configuration of two Tampa Bay districts, saying they closely tracked a map drawn by consultants that was submitted to the Legislature’s public input system under the name of former Florida State University student Alex Posada, who later testified that he didn’t draw the map.
But Raoul Cantero, a lawyer for the state, pointed out that other groups, including the NAACP, submitted maps with a similar configuration.
“If you infer that we’re conspiring with Posada, then you also have to infer that we’re conspiring with the NAACP,” he said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The 2015 legislative session began Tuesday with Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State address in which he called Florida a place where “dreams come true.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We chose not to appeal this case. The governor is continuing to protect Florida children any way he can and create an environment where families can get jobs so they are able to pursue their dreams in safe communities.” — Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott, on the governor’s decision to let stand an appellate ruling striking down Florida’s law requiring welfare applicants to undergo drug testing. Scott spent more than $300,000 on legal fees defending the law before abandoning appeals this week.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Tate, Northview Baseball Both Remain Undefeated
March 7, 2015
Northview 7, Holmes County 2
Northview 7, Holmes County 6 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs added another one to the win column Friday night with a 7-2 win over Holmes County in a district game. The undefeated Northview Chiefs (8-0) travel to undefeated Central (3-0) on Monday. The JV Chiefs beat Holmes County 7-6. Northview’s JV will play at 11 a.m. double header on Saturday at T.R. Miller.
Quentin Sampson 1-2, 3 R; Freeman 2-4, 2 RBI, 3B, R; Thomas Moore 1-4, R, RBI; Aaron McDonald 1-3; Brett Weeks 2-3, RBI, R; Brodie Amos 1-3, R; Dakota Lowery 1-3, RBI. WP — Chasen Freeman (2-0) 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 4 BB, 5 K.
Tate 5, Niceville 4
The Tate High School Aggies beat Niceville 5-4 Friday night. Undefeated Tate (6-0, 2-0) will be at West Florida on Wednesday.
Pictured: Holmes County at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Home
March 6, 2015
Two adults were left without a home following a house fire in Cantonment Friday morning.
The fire was reported about 10:10 a.m. in the 800 block of Robinson Street. The fire quickly spread through the 1450 square foot wood frame structure. The home was a total loss.
There were no injuries reported. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Body Found Inside Burned Out Vehicle
March 6, 2015
A body was discovered inside a burned-out vehicle this morning in Escambia County.
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire about 3:58 a.m. on St. Catherine Avenue and North Mary Street – just blocks from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the jail. Once the fire was extinguished at 4:10 a.m., those on scene noticed a body inside the vehicle.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are now investigating. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.
Driver Arrested In Fatal Hit And Run
March 6, 2015
The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man in connection with a fatal hit and run Thursday night in Escambia County.
About 8:20 p.m. the driver of a Isuzu Rodeo struck a pedestrian that was attempting to cross Mobile Highway at Krasnosky Avenue. The pedestrian was wearing dark-colored clothing and attempted to cross a dark area of the highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. The vehicle fled the scene.
The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Friday, the FHP arrested 46-year old Billy Joe Pitts for driving while license suspended and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Cpl. Shawn Kelly at (850) 484-5000 or email shawnkelly@flhsmv.gov.
Northview High Opens New Weight Training Facility
March 6, 2015
Work is complete on a new weight training facility at Northview High School.
The new 3,500 square foot building includes a weight room, locker room, coaches’ offices, storage and accompanying restrooms. The $625,000 construction budget was funded with local option sales tax monies.
The facility will be used for males, while the old girls and boys weight rooms inside the school gym will be combined and remodeled for female use.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Orleans Double Murder Suspect Busted After Santa Rosa Burglary
March 6, 2015
A New Orleans double murder suspect was arrested Thursday afternoon after breaking into a Santa Rosa Count home.
Authorities said Dwayne Martin enter an occupied home off Munson Highway with a hammer. A short time later, a homeowner took the hammer and the family dog chased Martin off the property. Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly arrived on scene and a K-9 unit began to track the suspect.
Martin was taken into custody and charged with burglary and resisting without violence. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
He will face extradition to Louisiana to face charges in the March 3 double murder of his girlfriend and her 8-year old daughter. A third woman was also shot but survived the incident.
Pictured: Dewayne Martin (right) is accused of the March 3 shooting deaths of his 25-year-old girlfriend, Walesha Williams (left), and her 8-year-old daughter, Paris Williams (center). Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Getting Tougher On Delinquent Water, Gas Accounts
March 6, 2015
The Town of Century is getting tough with people that don’t pay their utility bills — and now they’ll be spending at least one night without gas or water.
Mayor Freddie McCall says it’s taking too much time and money to provide same-day restore services to those who have been disconnected for non-payment, and pulling town gas and water employees off other jobs throughout the day. So now, all service reconnects will be done once per day each morning , the day after payment is made.
Century water and gas customers currently receive a bill that is mailed the first of the month, followed by a late notice and fee on the 15th and disconnect on the 25th. There is a $20 reconnect fee for gas, and a $10 reconnect fee for water.
McCall said about 40-50 customers are regularly disconnected for non-payment each month.
Century’s gas territory currently extends to portions of Byrneville and McDavid.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 6, 2015
The Escambia County School District’s Elementary Principals Association, in partnership with WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, hosted the 19th Annual Shining Star Awards Thursday night, honoring 35 elementary school students in Escambia County for their leadership and service to the community.
In an awards ceremony at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, each winner was presented with a certificate of achievement along with a new bicycle and helmet.
Area principals and teachers selected the Shining Stars based on good citizenship, leadership and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honor and patriotism.
2015 Shining Star Award Winners were:
- A.K. Suter Elementary — Justis Werth Sphar
- Bellview Elementary — Hensley Faith Watley
- Beulah Elementary — Madison Rush
- Blue Angels Elementary — Maile Apongan
- Bratt Elementary — Anna Faith Adams
- Brentwood Elementary — Alex Crumpler
- Byrneville Charter School – Leah Kalyn Anderson
- C.A.Weis Elementary — Lionel Mejias–Perez
- Cordova Park Elementary — Reid Majewski
- Ensley Elementary — Melissa Nguyen
- Escambia Christian School – Norma Brown-Duncan
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Veronica Zaldana
- Global Learning Academy — Jasmine Allison
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Savannah Braswell
- Holm Elementary – Mary Collins
- Jim Allen Elementary — Alyssa Daniels
- Little Flower Catholic School — Jessica Corpuz
- Longleaf Elementary — Dashaun Hartsfield
- McArthur Elementary — Isabella Vose
- Molino Park Elementary – Hannah Hassebrock
- Montclair Elementary — Jamyra Knight
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Summer Esguerra
- N.B. Cook Elementary — Skylar Bell
- Navy Point Elementary — Mayerli Mateo
- O.J. Semmes Elementary — Briana Fountain
- Oakcrest Elementary — Jahazara Anderson
- Pensacola Beach Elementary — Natalia Dadisman
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Elias (Eli) Ray
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Terriny Krepps
- R.C. Lipscomb Elementary — Evangeline Karanick
- Redeemer Lutheran — Devin Mills
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Ethan Jones
- Sherwood Elementary — Joseph Turner
- Warrington Elementary — Eddie Johnson
- West Pensacola Elementary — Lani Dee Adams
Pictured: Shining Star Award winners Thursday night at WSRE in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Seven Tate Wrestling Team Members Advance To Regionals
March 6, 2015
Several members of the Tate High School wrestling team came up winners at the recent district tournament. Seven of them advanced to the regional tournament today at Chiles High School.
Tate wrestling team members placing in the district tournament were:
- Matthew Blalock, fourth place
- Caleb Campbell, fourth place
- Heath Hernden, fourth place
- Gaven McAnally, first place
- Daniel Pigg, fourth place
- Alex Porter, third place
- Tanner Wood, second place
Pictured top: Tate wrestling team members (L-R) Daniel Pigg (4th place), Alex Porter (3rd place), Matthew Blalock (4th place), Gaven McAnally (1st place), Tanner Wood (2nd place), Heath Hernden (4th place) and Caleb Campbell (4th place). Pictured below: The Tate High School wrestling team at districts. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
