Negron, Gaetz: Cut Vehicle Registration Fees
March 24, 2013
Eliminating a quarter century-old tax credit for the insurance industry could allow the state to reduce the annual vehicle registration fees that were raised during the heart of the Great Recession, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, chairman of the Appropriations Committee proposed.
Negron, who intends to formally present his proposal as a committee bill, predicted that by eliminating the tax credit established in 1987, motorists overall could see up to $220 million a year in savings if the 2009 vehicle registration fee increase was cut in half.
When the economy tanked at the end of 2008, lawmakers the next year, desperately seeking revenue but unwilling to raise taxes, made a controversial decision to raise fees on drivers instead. Opponents said it was regressive – hurting poor people as much or more than the wealthy.
The move, as lawmakers were facing a $6 billion shortfall, increased vehicle registration fees by 35 percent, as the cost of renewals, titles and driver licenses all were boosted.
“We were all elected, and we should make decisions that reflect our priorities today,” Negron said during the committee meeting on Thursday.
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, quickly sent out a release supporting Negron’s proposal.
“In 2009, during a difficult budget year, the Legislature made the hard choice to increase certain fees associated with driving a vehicle in lieu of raising taxes, or taking draconian cuts to critical state services,” Gaetz said. “However, times have changed and it is time that we reprioritize and evaluate ways to keep more money in the pockets of hard working Floridians.”
The insurance industry tax credit was designed to offset the Insurance Premium Tax.
But Negron noted that only one other state, Arkansas, offers a similar discount that has allowed insurance companies to get rebates of 15 percent of the salaries of their employees in Florida.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, expressed interest in the proposal after the House session on Thursday, but said he’ll have his budget chairs review the plan.
“It’s an interesting idea,” Weatherford said. “I’m not a fan of those taxes either.”
House Minority Leader Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, intends to approach the proposal with caution.
“We would think that it would be a good idea to bring down the costs to everyday Americans who have to drive because in Florida we don’t have mass transit,” Thurston said.
“But we’re concerned about those type of proposals, because when you’re given incentives we want to know who is getting the benefit of those incentives?” he added. “Is it for working Floridians or are we just giving a handout to a big company without them having to be accountable, which we wouldn’t support.”
By The News Service of Florida
Poll Finds Favor For Toughening Gun Controls
March 24, 2013
Just over half of Florida voters back stricter controls on guns, according to a poll just released.
The Quinnipiac University poll found that registered Florida voters back stricter statewide gun-control laws by a 51-44 percent. The poll also found that 56 percent of voters support a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons with 41 percent opposed. Voters also favor a ban on the sale of high capacity magazines 53 percent to 43 percent.
The poll was taken last week among registered voters across the state and has a margin of error of plus minus 3.1 percentage points.
By The News Service of Florida
Barrineau Park 4-H’ers Take Three Blue Ribbons At District
March 24, 2013
Three members of the Barrineau Park 4-H took blue ribbons in the District 4-H competition held Saturday.
Placing first in the Animal Science Demonstrations/Illustration Talk category were:
- Izzy Kent — “One Bad Stomach Ache – Goat Bloat”
- Dillon Conti – “Meat Cuts of a Pig”
- Jessica Conti – “It’s a Hogs Life”
The district event Saturday at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church included 4-H members from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
For more information on the Barrineau Park 4-H Club call Tena Gindl at (850) 698-3441.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Of The Month Named
March 24, 2013
Students of the month for February have been named in Escambia County. The awards are presented monthly to a limited number of students from participating schools.
North Escambia area students of the month for February were:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Bratt Elementary — Sara Amerson, first; Sheyenne Dillon, fifth;
Jim Allen Elementary — Eluah Bianchi, kindergarten; Kayla Jarman, kindergarten;
Lipscomb Elementary — Seth Bestgen, fourth; Amaya Bullock, fifth;
McArthur Elementary — Bryson Gier, kindergarten; Heidi Lynn, kindergarten;
Molino Park Elementary — Addison Pawless, first; Evin Pedicord, first.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Ernest Ward Middle – Helen Kemp, sixth; Jacob White, seventh; Savanna Calhoun, eighth;
Ransom Middle — Jacob Kmetz, eighth; Kayla Johnson, eighth.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Northview High — Jessica Baldwin, 12th; Tristan Brown, 10th;
Tate High — Emily Lee, 12th; William Newman, 12th;
West Florida — Kelly Wyland, 11th; Samuel McKenzie, 12th.
Recipe: Magic Crust Custard Pie
March 24, 2013
Sometimes basics are best… and this tasty little custard number from home cook Robyn Witte has all the right ingredients to become a new favorite.
First, its classic vanilla custard flavor and gooey texture just can’t be beat. What’s more, this tasty confection comes together in a snap.
To prepare, simply combine all the ingredients in a blender then pour into a pie pan. The crust forms “magically” as the flour settles to the bottom of the pan during baking. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Magic Crust Custard Pie
What You Need
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 c white sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 cups 2% milk,
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
Directions
- Put all ingredients into a blender.
- Blend for 30 seconds. Pour into buttered 9-inch pie pan.
- Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. The flour will settle to make its own crust.
Birth: Jaxon Noah Wilson
March 24, 2013
Jaxon Noah Wilson born on March 4, 2013, weighing 7-pounds, 5-ounces and 20 inches long. He was welcomed by parents Jeremiah and Lindsey Wilson. Grandparents are Teresa and Lloyd Jordan, and Rose and Willie Wilson of Century.
One Injured In Bratt Crash
March 23, 2013
An Atmore woman received minor injuries in a single vehicle wreck before daybreak Saturday in Bratt.
The woman lost control about 5:30 a.m. on North Highway 99 near the Alabama state line, left the roadway, and struck some large brush. The 27-year old driver was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash; the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Pictured: One person was injured in this single vehicle accident in Bratt early Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott Presents $751K To Schools; $295K In District 5
March 23, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott presented a total of $751,000 to 14 Escambia County Schools on Friday — including District 5 schools Byrneville, Pine Meadow and Lipscomb elementary schools and West Florida High.
Florida’s School Recognition Program acknowledges the quality of public schools by giving financial rewards based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an ’A’ school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year.
The school staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award.
In District 5, schools receiving award money were:
- Byrneville Elementary – $14,656
- Pine Meadow Elementary School – $79,917
- Lipscomb Elementary School – $84,242
- West Florida High – $116,571
As a lifelong educator, I understand the passion and commitment our teachers bring to the classroom each and every day so that our students are reaching higher levels of achievement, said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “The School Recognition Program is a great incentive to reward Escambia’s high-performing teachers. I applaud Governor Rick Scott’s proposal to increase funding for this important program in his Florida’s Families First Budget.”
As part of his Florida Families First Budget, Governor Scott requested an increase in School Recognition Program funding to $125 per student, up from $93 this year. State funding for K-12 education in the Florida Families First Budget totals $10.7 billion – the highest state funding level in history.
“We are grateful that Governor Rick Scott made a special visit to Escambia County to congratulate our teachers and staff for a job well done,” said Escambia County School Board Chairman Jeff Bergosh. “The $751,488 in School Recognition Program funds will go a long way in rewarding our best and brightest here in Escambia County.”
During the recognition event Friday afternoon at Brown Barge Middle School, Scott also pushed for teacher pay raises.
“Florida students and teachers were ranked 6th for educational quality, our fourth-grade students scored among the best in the world in an international reading survey, and we recently learned Florida students are number one for percentage of students taking an AP exam. Our teachers have done a great job and that is why I have proposed to provide all fulltime classroom teachers a $2,500 pay raise,” the governor said.
Equestrian Center Renamed For James C. Robinson
March 23, 2013
Friday, Escambia County officially renamed and dedicated the Escambia County Equestrian Center as the “James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Center”.
James C. (Jim) Robinson’s involvement with horses began with his daughter, Lisa, showing them as a child. He and his wife, Betty, were charter members of the Pensacola Hunter Jumper Association (PHJA), which formed in 1973. He served as show manager for the PHJA shows for more than 20 years, even after his daughter stopped showing.
When soccer became more prevalent at Brosnaham Field, he took it upon himself to open discussions with the County about the possibility of a new facility and was instrumental in the development of the current Equestrian Center. He worked with county staff to further develop the idea and was instrumental in procuring the property where the current facility is located.
He also actively promoted the Equestrian Center and was responsible for bringing the facility to the attention of what is now the facility’s largest revenue generator, the Gulf Coast Classic Company. He remained active in PHJA and maintained an interest in the Equestrian Center until the time of his passing.
Robinson, a resident of Cantonment, passed away December 12, 2012.
Pictured: The Escambia County Equestrian Center was dedicated as the “James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Center” Friday morning. Photos courtesy Tammra Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Aggies Strike Out Cancer While Striking Out Pace 14-4
March 23, 2013
The Tate Lady Aggies held on to their district lead Friday night in their annual Strike Out Cancer game in front of a mostly pink crowd.
The Lady Aggies entered Friday night’s game in first place in District 1-6A. They easily beat second place Pace, 14-4. Hitters for Tate included Kaylan Rowell with a two run triple and two run double from Heather Thomason. Casey McCracken had a two-run homer on a line drive to center. Rachel Dunsford was 4-for-4 with three runs, and Lauren Brennan was 1-1 with one RBI.
The Lady Aggies are now 16-3 overall and still hold a perfect 12-0 record in the district.
The Strike Out Cancer game raised about $6,000 for cancer awareness.
Pictured: The varsity Tate Aggies (above) and the JV Tate Lady Aggies (below), who also beat Pace, sport their “Hope for Halee” bracelets prior to their annual “Strike Out Cancer” game Friday. Halee Boyd, a Tate senior, is continuing to battle a rare form of cancer. Pictured top are: (front, L-R) Rachel Wright, Casey McCraken, Bailey Burk, Amy Waters, Brooke Howell, Bridget Dall, Rachel Dunsford, (back) Jordan Barnett, Lauren Brennan, Kaylen Rowell, Tori Pekins, Heather Thomason and Brooke White. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
