Senate Passes Jobless Package, Sends Back To House
May 4, 2011
An unemployment compensation bill that would reduce the length of benefits unless the jobless rate gets particularly high passed the Senate on Tuesday, sending the measure back to the House with just days left in the 20111 session.
The House had earlier passed the bill (HB 7005), but the Senate made some changes to that bill Tuesday to try to take some of the bite out of it for the unemployed. The Senate then passed the bill 29-10 and sent it back to the House for approval of the changes.
“The best way to help unemployed people is to see that businesses are healthy so we can find you a job,” said Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, and sponsor of the Senate version (SB 728.) Businesses pay into the unemployment compensation fund.
The bill would maintain the current 26 weeks of state benefits when the jobless rate is above 12 percent. Until that threshold is reached, benefits would be capped at 20 weeks. The unemployment rate in Florida in March was 11.1 percent, meaning
The bill does not affect federal unemployment benefits or food stamps.
Tuesday’s vote came over the objections of Democrats who said the changes unfairly target workers during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. They also dismissed the argument that the duration of benefits could be reduced when the unemployment rate falls because it would be easier for the jobless to find work.
“The purpose of unemployment is to provide financial benefits to folks so they will be in a position to maintain some quality of life, though I dare not say decent,” said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. “It’s the wrong time to do this. I know businesses are hurting but so are the people.”
The bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday was less aggressive than the plan proposed by the House, which would cut the number of weeks of state eligibility to a maximum of 20 weeks. The House plan would also reduce the number of weeks as the jobless rate drops. Both bills could cut the number of weeks of unemployment compensation to as little as 12 weeks.
The current maximum unemployment benefit dollar amount stays the same under the measure, at $275 a week, which opponents pointed out is already near the bottom of states. Federal statistics show the state’s average weekly benefit is just over $230. Employers, who pay into a state trust fund on the first $7,000 of a worker’s wages, have complained that they’ve been hard hit by increases in the tax, which has gone up as unemployment has increased.
Even worse for businesses, the state trust fund has dropped into the red and has had to borrow about $2 billion from the federal government to pay benefits. Interest on that is due, and that payment is being passed on to businesses.
“We need to take all those competing interests, come up with a bill that is fair to everyone – almost impossible- while at the same time work toward making the unemployment trust fund healthy once again,” Detert said.
By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Books To Honor Memory Of Tate Freshman
May 4, 2011
Students at Pensacola State College’s Collegiate High School collected over 600 books to honor a 15-year old Tate High student who passed away suddenly in March.
The PSC students collected the books in honor of Gabriel Carter. The books will be donated to Delaine Wright, a sixth grade reading teacher at Bellview Middle School. Wright was Carter’s middle school reading teacher. A memorial honoring Carter will be placed in her classroom.
Carter, a freshman, collapsed in a Tate High classroom in late March and died.
State Attorney: Officer Involved Shooting Was Justified
May 4, 2011
The State Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that an officer involved shooting back in January was justified.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Courtney Clanton fired shots at a suspect’s vehicle as the suspect drove towards him in an aggressive manner. In the early morning hours of January 12, deputies responded to an officer in trouble call on New Forest Court after 50-year-old Harold Anthony Baggett, of Pensacola, confronted Clanton.
Clanton was standing outside near the roadway when he was approached by Baggett (pictured), who was driving a silver Honda. Baggett asked Clanton if he was a cop and Deputy Clanton identified himself as a deputy sheriff. Baggett then drove his vehicle towards Clanton in an aggressive manner.
Fearing for his life, Clanton fired shots at the vehicle. As a result, Baggett suffered gunshot wounds but was able to flee the area. He was later found at a residence in the 700 block of Deedra Avenue.
Baggett was treated and released from Sacred Heart Hospital. He is awaiting trial on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and remains in the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Clanton, who has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2006, was placed on routine administrative leave pending the results of the on-going investigation.
Clanton and Baggett both live in the same subdivision just north of East 10 Mile Road.
Florida Budget Deal Reached
May 3, 2011
Setting the stage for a timely ending of session, House and Senate conferees early Tuesday reached a deal on the state’s $68 billion spending plan that includes $308 million in tax breaks, and no cuts to the state’s Medically Needy program or substance abuse efforts.
In what Gov. Rick Scott called “a great first step” and a “huge win” for business owners, the plan will take some businesses off the corporate tax rolls. Though that falls far short of the tax rate cut he wanted, Scott pledged that he will continue to push for more, and said getting a reduced version was “part of the legislative process.”
“The House and Senate budget committees have produced a budget that meets my core principles,” Scott said in a post-Cabinet availability with reporters. “The business tax cut is a huge win for business owners in Florida. It’s a great first step toward phasing out the business tax over seven years.”
Legislative budget chiefs Sen. JD Alexander and Rep. Denise Grimsley announced the pact Tuesday morning after nearly all-night negotiations between the chambers to bring the budget in for a landing, a difficult task as they faced a $3.8 billion shortfall.
“This has been a remarkable year for all the wrong reasons,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, told members following the budget announcement.
The last major sticking point was in the health and human services area, but several issues came together on that to greatly reduce the likelihood of an overtime session.
Alexander also told reporters Tuesday morning that an agreement was at hand over expanding the use of managed care to serve the state’s 2 million Medicaid recipients.
The budget deal includes a total of almost $700 million in Medicaid rate cuts for hospitals and nursing homes. Of that, hospitals took a $510 million hit, as they absorbed a 12 percent cut. But lawmakers spared some other big ticket programs from cuts, including adult mental health and substance abuse treatment and the Medically Needy program, which serves people who have debilitating illnesses but don’t qualify for Medicaid.
By The News Service of Florida
Century Awards $74K Contract For HVAC Replacement At 3 Buildings
May 3, 2011
The Town of Century has awarded a $74,367 contract to replace the heating and cooling systems at three town buildings.
The contract was awarded to Andrews Air of Pensacola to replace all of the HVAC systems at the Century Town Hall and the town’s Agricultural Building and the former Helicopter Technology building in the Century Industrial Park.
The older HVAC systems at the three buildings are being replaced to with new, energy efficient units in an effort to reduce the town’s annual power consumption.
Bids on the project ranged from Andrews Air’s low bid of $74,367 to Shuford Heating & Air’s high bid of $101,421.
Bids received on the project were:
- Andrews Air of Pensacola, $74,367
- Lunsford Air Conditioning & Heating, Milton, $78,315
- Commander Air, Pensacola, $81,652
- J. Miller Construction, Pensacola, $94,583
- Peaden Hobbs Mechanical, Navarre, $95,552
- Air Refrigeration & Contracting LLC, Brewton, $98,303
- Shuford Heating & Air, Pensacola, $101,421
Future Dimmer For Florida Bright Futures Scholarships
May 3, 2011
Students eligible for Bright Futures scholarships next year will see their awards slashed by 20 percent in the biggest cut to the popular college aid program since its inception.
Under a budget deal lawmakers agreed to late last week, Bright Futures awards will be cut 20 percent per student. Lawmakers also agreed to raise the number of community service hours students have to complete to be eligible for a scholarship, and will start requiring students to complete a federal financial aid form to get a scholarship.
Lawmakers say these cuts were a necessary evil in a difficult budget year.
“This is the worst budget we’ve ever had, ever since I’ve been in the Legislature, let’s see, 18 years,” said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, the head of the Senate higher education budget committee. “The revenue to the state is extremely low and everyone in every sector of the state will have to lower their budgets from where they were.”
At the same time that the state’s popular student aid program is being cut, lawmakers also want to raise tuition by 8 percent, giving universities the option to hike tuition another 7 percent above that amount. Florida’s in-state tuition is one of the lowest in the nation and universities have used double-digit increases in a bid to move closer to the national average.
Opposition to the cuts in the higher education budget has been muted. Even many Democrats, who in general oppose the Republican-written budget, say they understand the decision to cut Bright Futures.
“It’s a good program, but I don’t think it really meets all the needs it should be meeting,” said Rep. Betty Reed, D-Tampa. “The students that really need it are not able to receive it.”
Some critics of Bright Futures believe it favors students that don’t need help paying tuition because it’s based on merit, not need.
Many lawmakers said they would support adding a needs-based component to the scholarship. Requiring students next year to fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid to get a Bright Futures is a small step toward gathering the data as a possible precursor to adding that needs-based component.
“The whole purpose of merit was to make sure we have more students stay in Florida, go to school in Florida, graduate and then remain at getting jobs here,” said Lynn, indicating she wouldn’t support a needs-based component.
The merit-based scholarship program was established in 1997 to prevent a brain drain of Florida students to out-of-state colleges. It has largely achieved that goal, with over 180,000 students last year, up from the roughly 42,000 students who applied during the program’s first year.
This is the third year average awards for the Bright Futures scholarship will drop. The program gives students who receive certain SAT scores and grade point averages a scholarship to use for college.
Last year lawmakers agreed to a $1 per credit hour drop and toughened eligibility requirements. Several years ago the Legislature also voted to stop paying the full tuition cost with Bright Futures awards.
Spending on Bright Futures peaked at $429 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year with an average student award of $2,533. This year, lawmakers decided on a budget of just over $350 million for Bright Futures.
That means students who were eligible for the Academic Scholars award of $1,875 for 15 credit hours this year would receive only $1,500 for 15 credit hours next year. Students receiving the Medallion Scholars award this year got $1,410 for 15 credit hours; next year they will get $1,128 for the same amount of hours.
These cuts are a compromise between Senate and House positions. The Senate originally wanted a steeper cut of $1,000 per award while the House suggested a cut of roughly 15 percent.
Students question whether cuts to Bright Futures will eventually unclog the brain drain, tempting students away from Florida. Florida A&M University graduate student Gallop Franklin, the head of the Florida Student Association, said it’s time for “a complete restructuring” of Bright Futures.
Franklin said that since Bright Futures was changed two years ago so that it no longer covers the full tuition cost, it has not proved as valuable to students. He supports adding a needs-based component.
“It’s not meeting the needs and it’s not providing the type of support for students it did years ago,” Franklin said.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
NJROTC Cadets Recognized (With Photo Gallery)
May 3, 2011
Northview High School’s NJROTC cadets were recognized last week during the annual awards ceremony at Escambia High School.
Numerous national and local organizations presented medals, ribbons and even savings bonds and cash to the cadets that have excelled in the NJROTC programs at Northview, Pine Forest, Escambia and Washington high schools. The cadets were recognized for exhibiting outstanding leadership, commitment and dedication to their unit, school and community.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“The awards ceremony wraps up a year that has been the busiest in several years. The returning cadets have their sights on higher goals and sustaining the momentum begun this year,” said Charlie Code, Capt. USN (ret), senior naval science instructor at Northview.
Northview NJROTC students receiving awards were:
American Veterans ROTC Award
- PO1 Tim Rackard
Order of the Daedalians JROTC Achievement Award
- CPO Jonathan Moretz
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Award
- PO3 Victoria Wright
CAPT James O. Haughton Memorial Award
- LCDR James Garrett
Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership Award
- MCPO Kiani Okahashi
Military Order of the World Wars Award
- LT Melissa Moretz
Women of the Sea Services (WAVES) NW Florida Unit #52 Award
- PO3 Alanna Johnson
The Reserve Officers Association ROTC Medal
- CPO Nathan Waters
Navy League Award
- CPO Arron Mccants
- PO1 Kayla Miles
- SN Casey Godwin
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution JROTC Award
- PO2 Aaron Rausch
Scottish Rite Award
- SN Amber Francis
The National Sojourners ROTC Award
- PO3 Johnny Robbins
Military Officers Association of America ROTC Medal
- ENS Jody Day
Stephen Decatur Award
- Jr. – PO1 Lantz Jones
- Fr.- SN Kasie Braun
Florida Property Tax Overhaul Passes House
May 3, 2011
First-time home buyers, business owners and snowbirds will get new property tax breaks under a proposed constitutional amendment passed in the House on Monday.
The measure (HJR 381), if also approved by the Senate, would allow voters to decide whether to put a 5 percent cap on property tax assessment increases for business owners, investors and landlords that own “non-homestead” property.
Voters would also decide whether to give first-time home buyers a tax break of 50 percent of the assessed value of their home, capped at 50 percent of the median home value in their county.
Current law puts a cap of 10 percent on assessment increases for non-homestead properties.
“If this House is truly about stimulating jobs, this is a bill that tells the business community ‘We are not going to penalize you anymore,’ ” said Rep. Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach. The measure passed on a 105-11 vote.
This bill is a big priority for Florida Realtors, who got a similar measure passed in 2009, but saw it struck down by the courts for confusing ballot language. Realtors said this year’s effort should better survive a court challenge.
Supporters of the proposal say it helps correct inequity in the property tax system. Under the “Save Our Homes” law, owner-occupied homes – those with a homestead exemption – have their tax assessment increases capped at 3 percent.
This has caused many counties to rely more heavily on the non-homestead properties, such as businesses, apartments and investment properties for tax revenue, backers say. But the bill is opposed by cities and counties, whose officials say they stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Opponents say it will cause cities and counties to look at new sources of revenue, yielding tax increases to all property owners.
House Minority Leader Ron Saunders, R-Key West, broke ranks with many Democrats to support the bill.
“This amendment is for tax fairness,” said Saunders, whose district is home to many snowbirds and vacation home owners who are subjected to the current 10 percent assessment cap and face higher tax bills than those in owner-occupied homes.
The Senate has yet to take up the companion measure or withdraw it from its last committee stop. Realtor lobbyist John Sebree said they are “obviously working hard for that.”
Another bill (HB 1053) would put the proposed amendment on the presidential primary ballot in early 2012. House Democrats voted Monday to not stray from an earlier position to oppose putting any constitutional amendments on the presidential primary ballot. Republicans need Democratic votes to pass HB 1053, because 90 votes are needed to put the measure on the January ballot.
Lawmakers are also examining other property tax cuts. The Senate passed an expansion of an existing property tax break for disabled military veterans on Monday. The measure (SJR 592) was passed unanimously.
Also part of the budget talks is a proposal to require Florida’s water management districts to reduce their tax rates later this year and require more legislative involvement in district budgets.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
House Passes Bill Expanding Virtual Schools, Vouchers
May 3, 2011
The House and Senate approved a slew of bills Monday to expand virtual schools and voucher programs, potentially siphoning more students away from traditional public schools.
One of the bills, an expansion of the John McKay scholarship program for students with disabilities, is one signature away from becoming law after the Senate approved the House bill on Monday.
The measures reflect a Republican priority of boosting “school choice,” whether it be more virtual classes, expansion of charter schools or vouchers for private schools. This is largely an extension of education reforms that began with Gov. Jeb Bush in the late 1990s with his push for private school vouchers.
“It’s about doing what is right for students,” said Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, during House floor debate. “We want you as a parent to have the choice to go to whatever school you feel is best for your student.”
The bills have the backing of Gov. Rick Scott, who campaigned on promises that the state would offer more school choice.
But advocates for public schools see the changes to Florida’s education system as a way of chipping away at public schools by using state funds that would have gone to school districts to instead help support private schools and virtual schools.
“This Legislature, under the leadership of (Senate President Mike) Haridopolos and (House Speaker Dean) Cannon, have side-stepped their requirement to take care of public schools, they are just looking for gimmicks that can save the state some money,” said Florida Education Association President Andy Ford.
Among the bills approved by the House on Monday are:
-HB 1331: Expands the definition of a failing public school from a school that has received an “F” in a four-year period to a school that has received a “D” or “F” in the prior year, and allowing students in failing public schools to use the Opportunity Scholarship to transfer to a higher-rated public school elsewhere in the state.
-HB 7197: Requires students take a virtual class prior to graduation and allows children as young as kindergarten to take full-time virtual school classes with private vendors paid for by state funds. It allows the development of virtual charter schools and expands the amount of grades the Florida Virtual School can offer.
-HB 965: Allows companies that donate to a corporate tax scholarship group to receive a tax credit worth 100 percent of that donation. Under current law, these companies only get a tax discount worth 75 percent of their contribution. Corporate contributions go toward scholarship groups that use these funds to pay for private school vouchers. This bill was amended to take out a provision that would have given these scholarship groups access to a list of the top 100 taxpayers in Florida in order to approach them for donations.
The Senate approved on Monday:
-HB 1329: An expansion of the John McKay scholarship for students with disabilities. It expands the definition of disabled students, allowing potentially up to 50,000 more students to receive state funds to attend a private school.
Democrats are generally opposed to these changes, citing concern about a failure to help struggling schools and an emphasis on virtual classes that may not benefit students who don’t have much exposure to computers.
“We don’t have failing schools, we have failing communities because parents aren’t getting involved,” said Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach. “We should be trying to make sure we get parents more involved.”
Under HB 1331, more students could leave failing schools, Democrats said, crippling the school’s ability to improve.
During debate on the virtual school expansion bill, Democrats said they were concerned about the emphasis on virtual classes, given the inconsistent exposure that Florida students have to computers. “We have students who lack home access,” said Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami. “This puts some students at a disadvantage.”
Supporters of virtual school expansion said children are savvy at online interactions and the bill better equips them to handle online classes in college. “The classroom is simply not the same as when we were in school and we were kids,” said Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville. “This bill will let parents know about the options and will help our kids go into the 21st century and prepare them.”
The Senate also passed a bill (SB 1546) last week that makes it easier for highly-rated charter schools to expand enrollment and add grades, paving the way for more charter schools competing for public school students.
The combination of these bills and a cut to school funding in the budget means tough times for school districts, said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, a former superintendent.
“You will see some tough times in school districts throughout Florida,” Montford said.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Shining Stars Are Named
May 3, 2011
The Greater Escambia Community Foundation and WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, presented the Shining Star Award to 36 Escambia County elementary students in a ceremony Sunday afternoon at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the main campus of Pensacola Junior College.
Area principals and teachers selected the winners based on good citizenship, community service and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honesty and patriotism. Each winner was awarded a certificate of achievement and a new bicycle and helmet.
North Escambia area Shining Star Award winners are:
- Celeste North, Bratt Elementary School
- Peyton Lane Newsome, Byrneville Elementary School
- Ataylor Carter, Jim Allen Elementary School
- Sabra Stewart, Molino Park Elementary School
Former Florida State Representative DeeDee Ritchie and former Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins were the Masters of Ceremonies. Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas spoke at the festivities. Principals and teachers from each school, as well as the winners’ families and friends, were invited to attend.
The complete list of Shining Star Award winners is as follows:
AK Suter — Kyra Clark
Allie Yniestra — Chelsea D McGhee
Bellview — Jordyn Bennett
Belauh — Alexandria Boles
Blue Angels — Jahriel Griffin
Bratt — Celeste North
Brentwood — Tyra Smith
Byrneville — Peyton Lane Newsome
C A Weis — Tyrese Washington
Cordova Park — Mariah Brady
Ensley — Roseanna Reber
Episcopal Day — Emily Johnson
Escambia Christian — Tannier Rogers
Ferry Pass Tyler Michael Greene
Hallmark — Aleshia Odom
Hellen Caro — Alexis Lowery Waller
Holm — Olivia Johnson
Jim Allen — Ataylor Carter
Little Flower Catholic — Alexandra Cajigal
Longleaf — Joshua Ellenberger
McArthur — Keyana Danielle Norman
Molino Park — Sabra Stewart
Myrtle Grove — Joseph Jackson
NB Cook — Peyton Schmelzenbach
Navy Point — LaDaizjhia Burnett
OJ Semmes — Starletta Fountain
Oakcrest — Bad-Tien Duong
Pensacola Beach — Meredith McCurdy
Pensacola Christian — Justin Schubeck
Pine Meadow — Lindsey Crawford
Pleasant Grove — Samantha Nichole Dean
RC Lipscomb — Riley Orr
Redeemer Lutheran — Samuel Schelling
Scenic Heights — Alana Rodriguez
Sherwood — Jayla Brenson
Spencer Bibbs — Avian Sanders
St Paul Catholic — Matthew Harmon
Warrington — Tyrez Porterfield
West Pensacola — Norma Guillen
Pictured above and below: WSRE’s Shining Star Award winners. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
