Florida House, Senate Release Budget Allocations, No Major Cuts Evident
March 19, 2013
House and Senate leaders unveiled plans Monday for how they would direct billions of dollars in state spending over the coming fiscal year, with both chambers apparently savoring the prospect of a budget that won’t be dominated by deep cuts in state services.
The most expansive plan was released by the House, which outlined more than $26.9 billion in spending from general revenue — well shy of the $28.5 billion that will be available — and billions more from state trust funds.
In a statement to members, House Speaker Will Weatherford said cuts weren’t necessary to make the allocations, though committee chairmen might still look for “meritorious efficiencies.”
“I remain committed to the disciplined fiscal principles that led us to where we are today but also recognize that state programs and services had been limited given the crisis we faced,” wrote Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “Now there is an opportunity to appropriately provide additional funding for state priorities.”
Weatherford promised the first across-the-board pay increase for state workers in six years, though he didn’t say how much salaries would rise, and more than $1 billion more for public education. Colleges and universities would reclaim a $300 million one-time cut from last year, and the state would keep $1.2 billion in reserves.
The House would also “[p]rovide for the funding of our state’s transportation needs without sweeping the State Transportation Trust Fund” Weatherford said, but $309 million would be taken from dedicated funds throughout the budget. That would include $182.7 million from trust funds in the transportation and economic development area.
A spokesman for Weatherford said it was too soon to tell which other funds in that area of the budget would be swept if the road-building fund is protected.
The House plan does not specifically spell out how it would handle teacher pay raises. Gov. Rick Scott has called for an across-the-board raise of $2,500 for public school teachers, but lawmakers have indicated they would prefer any increase be based on merit.
While comparisons of the allocations are sometimes inexact, and Senate leaders did not spell out how they would use money from an array of trust funds, the upper chamber appears to have allocated slightly less than the House. The Senate plan outlines about $26.8 billion in general revenue spending.
Senate leaders were not quite as forthcoming in exactly how the money would be spent, but Senate Budget Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said that the combined area of the budget containing public and higher education would receive “the largest increase in available general revenue.”
The Senate allocation for schools and colleges appears to be in line with or perhaps slightly higher than the House’s set-aside.
In a statement, Negron took pains to say that the Senate was being cautious with its spending, noting that across-the-board federal budget cuts and the implementation of the new federal health-care law could cause a drag on the state’s economy or increase costs.
“Florida’s fiscal situation is improving however, the outlook for the 2013-14 fiscal year continues to reflect the challenges of a slow economic recovery and the uncertainty caused by instability in Washington. … This uncertainty, caused by a lack of leadership in Washington, highlights Florida’s need to plan ahead and be cautious,” he said.
By The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Seeks Board Of Adjustment Member
March 19, 2013
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified residents of Escambia County to serve on the Board of Adjustment in an “At Large” position for Escambia County.
Established by the Board of County Commissioners, the Escambia County Board of Adjustment conducts any required quasi-judicial public hearings to grant, grant with conditions, or deny applications for the following processes: Administrative Appeal, Conditional Use, Site Plan Approval Extension and Variance.
If interested in serving on the board, forward a current resume to the Development Services Department, Attn: Carla Cathey, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida 32505, or email cgcathey@myescambia.com or adholmer@myescambia.com to submit your resume. All resumes must be submitted no later than Wednesday, April 3. A financial disclosure and W-9 forms are required to serve on this board.
Northview Beats Jay
March 19, 2013
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 2-1 Monday night in seven innings in Bratt.
The varsity Northview Chiefs will host Chipley Friday at 6 p.m., while the Royals will sit out the rest of Spring Break week before hosting Escambia Academy on March 25.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs topped the Jay Royals 2-1 Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Gets 35 Years For Robbing Navy Couple, High Speed Chase
March 19, 2013
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for robbing a couple and leading deputies on a high speed chase.
William Isiah Johnson, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of robbery, aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer with lights and siren activated, resisting an officer without violence, and credit card fraud.
After robbing a Navy couple and using their credit card on December 15, 2011, Johnson led deputies on a high-speed chase through the streets of Escambia County reaching speeds in excess of 100mph. During the pursuit, the defendant crossed through business parking lots and passed through traffic with no reduction in speed.
When Johnson stopped his vehicle, he ran through a nearby neighborhood on foot. A K-9 officer was used to locate the defendant. Once he was located and searched, the defendant had the victim’s drivers license in his pocket and numerous other items belonging to the victim were located in his vehicle.
Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Ross Goodman sentenced Johnson to the maximum sentence under each charge to a total of 35 years in state prison. This sentence is consecutive to Johnson’s 43-year sentenced imposed by Judge Goodman in January 2013, for Johnson’s conviction of the attack on two University of West Florida nursing students in 2011.
Florida Unemployment Dips; Steady To Increasing Rate Locally
March 19, 2013
The latest jobs numbers released Monday show the unemployment rate steady or increasing the North Escambia area, while the state jobless rate in Florida and Alabama decreased slightly.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate held steady at 7.8 percent from December to January. There were 34 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 10,924 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 9.1 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment increased from 7.1 percent in December to 7.3 percent in January. Santa Rosa County had a total of 5,421 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.9 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment jumped from 8.1 percent in December to 9.7 percent in January. That represented 1,372 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 9.0 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s jobless rate dipped slightly in Florida in January. In dropping from 7.9 percent in December to 7.8 percent in January, Florida’s jobless rate went below the national rate, which was 7.9 percent in January, for the first time since January of 2008.
“We are glad to see our unemployment rate fall below the national average for the first time in years, but our work isn’t done until every Floridian who wants a job can find one,” Gov. Rick Scott said.
In dropping to 7.8 percent, Florida’s jobless rate is now at its lowest point since November of 2008, near the beginning of the recession, and down from over 9 percent just a year ago.
And rather than simply improving the rate by losing workers from the workforce – as was the case with some earlier gains – Florida’s economy created jobs in January, the Department of Economic Opportunity said.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.9 percent in January, was up from December’s rate of 6.8 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 7.3 percent.
Northview Hosts Track And Field Meet
March 19, 2013
The Northview Chiefs hosted a track and field meet Monday with J.U. Blacksher and Pensacola Christian. Results were not immediately available and will be posted as they are released, along with a photo gallery. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Aggie Classic Day One
March 19, 2013
Here’s a look at Aggie Classic scores from Monday followed by Tuesday’s schedule in the 22-team tournament.
Cardinal Pool
- Hume-Fogg (TN) 12, Grove (OK) 2
- Hueytown (Ala.) 4, Tahlequah (OK) 0
- Overton (TN) 5, Tate 3
- Edmond North (OK) 3, Escambia 1
- Jay (OK) 6, Navarre 0
- Washington 4, Washington (OK) 1
Grey Pool
- Milton 4, Greenwood (Ark.) 2
- Norman North (OK) 5, West Florida 4
- Goodpasture (TN) 4, Claremore (OK) 0
- Arlington 14, Pryor (OK) 4
- Westmoore (OK) 8, McAdory (AL) 7
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
At Tate High
• Arlington Country Day vs. Westmoore, 4 p.m.
• Tate vs. Washington (OK), 7 p.m.
At Escambia High
• McAdory vs. Claremore, 4 p.m.
• Escambia vs. Hume-Fogg, 7 p.m.
At Washington High
• Overton vs. Tahlequah, 4 p.m.
• Grove vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
At West Florida High
• Edmond North vs. Navarre, 4 p.m.
• West Florida vs. Pryor, 7 p.m.
At Pensacola State
• Hueytown vs. Jay, 4 p.m.
• Good Pasture vs. Milton, 7 p.m.
At Woodham Middle
• Norman North vs. Greenwood, 7 p.m.
Century Clerk Gonzalez Presented Certified Municipal Clerk Designation
March 19, 2013
Monday night, Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez was presented her official designation of Certified Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Gonzalez began working toward certification in October 2010, shortly after being named Century’s town clerk, at the Florida State University’s Institute of Government. Gonzalez was president of her clerk class of 20 and was the speaker at the graduation ceremony that made her eligible for the certification.
Pictured: (L-R) Freeport Town Clerk Robin Haynes, newly-certified Century Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, Jay Town Clerk Linda Carden and Pensacola City Clerk Ericka Burnett. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Fire At Molino Fire Station
March 18, 2013
Firefighters responded to an electrical fire at their own fire station Monday morning.
The fire alarm went off about 9:15 Monday morning at the Molino Fire Station on Molino Road. There were no firefighters at the station at the time; they were out answering another emergency call.
The first firefighters on scene reported smoke inside the fire station. The fire was determined to be electrical, related to a generator transfer switch. Other than the electrical circuit, there was no major damage.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the call.
Pictured top: The Florida Forest Service was among the units responding to an electrical fire at the Molino Fire Station Monday morning. Pictured inset: The fire was related to a transfer switch inside the building connected to this generator. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Credit Unions Off Limits To Local Governments; Bill Seeks Change
March 18, 2013
There’s only one financial institution in Century, and it’s off limits to the town’s government.
Under current Florida law, public entities in the state – such as towns, cities, counties, sheriff’s and schools – can only use banks, not credit unions, for their banking needs.
As a result, Century can’t even consider using Pen Air Federal Credit Union’s branch on North Century Boulevard. Instead, all of the town’s banking business is conducted at United Bank in Flomaton — allowed because United Bank has locations in Florida.
Senate Bill 918 by Senator Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah) and House Bill 251 by Representative Bill Hager (R-Boca Raton) seek to reverse the mandate that prevents public monies from being deposited in credit unions.
“We would like to have choice in banks,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “A change would not mean we would change banks, but we would be able to shop around for the best place to bank and the best rates.”
Stewart Ramsey, president and CEO of Pen Air, believes his credit union would be able to offer pubic entities like Century a good choice.
“Municipalities and public offices, just like area residents, should be given depository choice, especially in the more rural areas of the state where the most viable option for them is to establish lines of credit with their local credit union,” said Ramsey. “It is important that Florida lawmakers, especially those representing Northwest Florida residents, recognize the importance of this proposal this year, so that public offices can take advantage of putting their money into local, community-based institutions, whose very member-owners are the same people they seek to serve. They should be entitled to receive better rates of return on their tax dollars, which credit unions provide, and the ability to further give back to their communities.”
“The intent of this legislation is to give municipalities choices in where to deposit their funds,” said Rep. Hager. “While the intent may sound simple, the impact will be tremendous. Putting public funds into local credit unions gives municipalities and local entities the opportunity to keep their funds within their communities, and see their dollars be continuously and locally reinvested via personal or small business loans. This legislation does not give any entity preferential treatment, but rather levels the playing field for credit unions to be able to compete for funds that they should already be entitled to receive.”
Patrick La Pine, president of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, said credit unions are required to meet the same public depository requirements as for-profit banks, and they are held to the same standards of accountability and offer the same protections to their members.
The Florida League of Cities has also weighed in on the issue, supporting the bill to allow governmental use of credit unions.
“Expanding public deposit authority to credit unions would greatly spur competition and lead to greater savings and higher earnings for public entities on their deposits,” said Amber Hughes, legislative advocate for the Florida League of Cities. “Municipalities and local offices are already running on stringent budgets, and any dollar saved and earned means another dollar that goes back to the community to serve a crucial purpose.”
Pictured: The Town of Century is not allowed to bank at Pen Air Federal Credit Union on North Century Boulevard, the only financial institution in the town. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.