Casinos Missing From Florida House Gambling Bill
March 4, 2014
A Florida House gambling proposal released late Monday would do away with nearly a dozen inactive pari-mutuel permits and create a gambling oversight board but is most notable perhaps for what it lacks.
The 411-page House plan, sponsored by House Select Committee on Gaming Chairman Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, does not contain any mention of destination resort casinos at the heart of a Senate gambling proposal released last week.
The House is expected Tuesday to release a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voter approval of any expansion of gambling, including any plans approved during this spring’s legislative session. The Senate released a proposal that would only require voter approval of future expansions.
Under the House gambling bill (HB 1383), the governor would appoint a five-member “Gaming Control Commission.” A legislative nominating committee would give the governor a list of names to choose from. The House bill also puts restrictions on the panel by barring behind-the-scenes communications between commissioners and “interested parties,” something intended to keep regulators and industry lobbyists or representatives from getting too cozy.
The commission would have broad authority to approve permits and licenses for pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms and slot machines and also sign off on relocations or conversions of permits. The commission would oversee the Department of Gaming Enforcement, which would have the ability to use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The Legislature, which paid $400,000 for a gambling study, is considering changes to the gambling laws as a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is slated to sunset next year. Gov. Rick Scott, who is in control of negotiations with the tribe, has not said whether he will wrap up a new deal in time for lawmakers to sign off on it before the session wraps up on May 2.
“We create a strong gaming commission, clean up significant and glaring loopholes in current law, and respect the governor’s role in negotiating a compact,” Schenck said in a prepared statement. “The House also has a proposed constitutional amendment that will provide Floridians with the authority to decide future gaming expansion.”
The House plan would also do away with pari-mutuel permits that have not been used for the past two years, eliminating 10 dormant permits, according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.
Both the House and Senate plans would reorganize current gambling laws, but the Senate proposal (SB 7052) would allow for two casinos — one each in Broward and Miami-Dade counties — as long as local voters approve. The casinos could offer slots and blackjack along with roulette and craps. Casino operators would pay $125 million to apply for the licenses, with the money refunded to losing bidders. The casinos would pay annual $5 million license fees, and games would be taxed at 35 percent, the same rate that “racinos” in Miami-Dade and Broward currently pay on slot machines.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, insists his chamber will not pass any gambling measures unless Scott renegotiates a deal with the Seminole Tribe. Weatherford also wants any changes approved this year to be subject to a statewide referendum and require 60 percent approval for passage.
Hours before the House released its plan, the Senate Gaming Committee reviewed its far more ambitious measure. Committee Chairman Garrett Richter said the panel would take up the three-bill gambling package along with amendments to the bills in two weeks.
“It’s kind of like a balloon,” Richter, R-Naples, said. “We’ll put it up in the air and the wind will blow it one direction or another.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Northview JV Baseball Beats Neal; NHS Softball Schedule Change For Tuesday
March 4, 2014
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat W.S. Neal Monday night 10-7 in East Brewton.
Northview is scheduled to host Jay, weather permitting this afternoon with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
In girls action, the junior varsity Northview versus Jay game has been canceled, with the varsity Chiefs and Royals now scheduled for 4:00, weather permitting.
Pictured: Northview’s JV beat W.S. Neal Monday in East Brewton. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Read Across America Day At Jim Allen Elementary
March 4, 2014
Brighthouse Network employees read to students at Jim Allen Elementary School Monday to celebrate Read Across America Day. Brighthouse Networks provided Dr. Seuss bookmarks for all the books, and donated a book to a classroom library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 97A Boggy Creek Bridge Reopens
March 4, 2014
Traffic on Highway 97A over Boggy Creek near Enon has been shifted from a temporary bridge to a newly constructed bridge. The old bridge was demolished and a new structure and approaches constructed since last August. The total price tag for the project was about $1.5 million.
Lower speed limits are still in effect and motorists may encounter some delays as the temporary bridge and approaches are removed. Drivers are advised to use caution while traveling through the area and to be aware that speeding violations will be doubled when workers are present. Construction work could be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Pictured: A new $1.5 million bridge over Boggy Creek in Enon opened late last week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Poarch Creeks Open Health Clinic And Assisted Living Facility
March 4, 2014
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Monday opened the doors of two new facilities that will provide health care services for the tribe and its employees and long-term care and housing for its senior citizens.
The Buford L. Rolin Health Clinic, named after the tribe’s current Chairman, and the Lavan Martin Assisted Living Facility, which honors the revered late tribal leader, serve as working monuments to the two men’s lifelong commitment to providing essential services to Poarch, according to a PCI press release.
Rolin is nationally recognized for his decades of work in Indian healthcare. Martin worked tirelessly during his lifetime to secure tribal services for current and future generations.
“There has been the need to expand our services and build a new health clinic for several years,” said Tribal Administrator Edie Jackson. “We are thrilled to be able to open this state-of -the -art facility, especially one that honors our Chairman who has done so much for so many.
“It is a great comfort, too, that our new assisted living facility now gives our elders the opportunity to stay close to home, live in a premier facility, and be the beneficiaries of high-quality care,” she continued.
“I am so proud to be able to walk through these doors today,” Rolin said. “Lavan and I dreamed for many years about having these kinds of facilities for our Tribe. I know that he would be so happy to see that his hard work and commitment were remembered and honored this way. I feel so personally gratified that we are able to provide wonderful healthcare services and care for our elders right here at home.”
The two-story Tribal Health Clinic will offer a full range of health services to tribal members and employees. There are more than 200 parking space to accommodate visitors, patients and staff.
The Lavan Martin Assisted Living Facility includes four assisted living homes, 24 one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom apartments and two guest rooms. The complex also includes a 100-seat dining room, plus recreational and entertainment spaces.
Three Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash
March 3, 2014
Three people were injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday north of Molino.
The driver of a passenger car apparently lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned in the 2300 block of Highway 97, just north of Gibson Road. The driver was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Two passengers were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital, while a third passenger refused treatment at the scene.
The names of those involved and further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top and inset: Firefighters use the Jaws of Life to free the driver following this traffic crash on Highway 97 Sunday. Pictured below: Three people were injured in the accident. NorthEscambia photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Electrical Fire
March 3, 2014
Firefighters responded to a reported porch fire on Deer Run Lane, just off South Highway 99, near Walnut Hill Sunday night.
The fire, reported about 10:30 p.m., was out when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The cause of the fire was believed to be the electrical supply to a clothes dryer. There was no major damage to the home and no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department were dispatched to the incident .
Editor’s note: The red glow in the photos is not fire; it was caused by emergency lights and a light fog.
Pictured: Firefighters responded to a reported fire on Deer Run Lane Sunday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmaker Files Bill To Pause School Grades
March 3, 2014
One of the leading Senate Democrats on education has filed a bill proposing a sweeping overhaul of the state’s school accountability system, though the measure faces long odds in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Bill Montford of Tallahassee, would pause the school grading system for three years. Also, a state test could not be the “sole determiner” of whether students graduate or get promoted to the next grade over the same time frame. The proposal comes after years of controversy about the state’s grading system and as Education Commissioner Pam Stewart faces a decision on a new test to measure student learning under the revised version of the Common Core State Standards currently being implemented.
“Florida’s accountability system is no longer credible in the eyes of the public — from the adoption of new standards, the selection of a new assessment, to the awarding of school grades,” Montford said in a statement. The bill would also alter the state’s performance-pay law, approved by the Legislature in 2011, by lowering the portion of a teacher’s evaluation that has to be based on test results from 50 percent to 30 percent. Another 20 percent would be based on other measures of a teacher’s performance. And it would delay for three years — from July 1 of this year to July 1, 2017 — the date when new employees are required to enter the state’s performance-pay system.
A companion bill is planned in the House. Montford also serves as chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. Local districts and teachers have pushed the state to pause the accountability system for at least three years while the new standards and tests take effect.
by The News Service of Florida
Photo: Captain Of The Boat
March 3, 2014
The weekend weather was perfect for outdoor activities…including running catfish lines up the Escambia River with the Captain of the Boat “Rowdy” at helm near the Molino boat ramp. Photo by Crista Pope for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Join The Tate QB Club During Tuesday Night meeting
March 3, 2014
The Tate High School Quarterback Club is beginning their members drive.
Freshman parents, fans, alumni, community members, and others that want to get involved in the football program can join the Quarterback Club Tuesday. New members can join during the next Quarterback Club meeting on Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 pm. in the Tate Media Center.
March 4. Come to QB Club meeting March 4 6:30 in Tate Media Center.