Jay Falls In 1-2A Championship
April 29, 2011
The Jay High School Royals lost to the Freeport Bulldogs 4-2 Thursday night in the District 1-2A Tournament championship game. But the Royals (13-10) did not go down without a fight, scoring two in the final inning and going out with the bases loaded.
Hitters for Jay included Payden Roberts 1-3 with a double and RBI, Sammy James 2-3 with a run and RBI, and Conner Weeks 1-2 with a double and run.
Zack Gavin pitched seven for Jay, allowing four runs and striking out three.
Pictured: Action from the District 1-2A Tournament championship game Thursday night in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Pushes For Tax Cuts – Again
April 29, 2011
In his weekly radio address, Gov. Rick Scott reiterated Thursday his plea for tax cuts in the budget.
“Some in the Legislature doubt these tax cuts can happen. I am confident they can and should get it done,” Scott said. He added that “with strong, conservative legislator leaders like House Speaker Cannon and Senate President Haridopolos, I cannot imagine a budget that doesn’t include tax cuts that will create jobs.”
Legislative leaders have stalled for weeks on answering definitively whether they would put tax cuts in the budget.
Cannon responded to the address Thursday by saying “we are doing everything we can to get him some meaningful corporate tax relief,” adding that there are “no promises” and it’s too soon to guarantee tax cuts.
By The News Service of Florida
House Set To Approve Property Tax Overhaul
April 29, 2011
Despite strong opposition from cities and counties, the House is set to approve on Friday a proposed constitutional amendment that grants business owners, landlords and investors a lower limit on how much their property tax bills can increase.
The proposed amendment (HJR 381) would allow Florida voters to decide whether to offer owners of non-homestead property, essentially anyone who owns a business, second home or rental property, a cap on their property taxes. It was amended Thursday to match the Senate version, which has a proposed cap on tax increases of 5 percent.
That is a big reduction from current law, which says that for non-homestead properties property taxes can go up no more than 10 percent a year. But counties and cities oppose the measure because it could drain their revenue stream, causing them to levy higher taxes on all property owners to make up the difference.
“If you purchased a home, a second home or business you would be realizing no benefit,” said bill sponsor Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, while the person next door might pay far less in property taxes.
The bill also gives a special tax discount to first-time homebuyers. The measure was amended Thursday to offer a first-time homebuyer tax discount of 50 percent of the home’s value, not to exceed 50 percent of the median home price in that county. This was a less generous discount than originally proposed under the bill.
“The main goal is really to bring more fairness to Florida’s system,” said John Sebree, a lobbyist for the Florida Association of Realtors. Under the “Save Our Homes” law, owner-occupied homes have their property tax increases capped at 3 percent. But owners of vacation homes or rental property have 10 percent caps.
Realtors argue that renters also suffer from the cap difference because landlords may see their property taxes rise and pass it on in the form of higher rent. Of all the residential properties in Florida, about a third are occupied by renters or second-home owners, according to the Realtors.
A companion implementing bill (HB 1163) would put this issue on the presidential primary ballot in 2012.
A similar measure was approved by the Legislature in 2009, but was struck down by the courts for its confusing ballot language. If approved by Florida voters, it could impact people who bought homes this year.
“Since negotiations have been going on, we have been firm on 7 percent,” said League of Cities lobbyist Amber Hughes. “We think that is an appropriate cap on non-homestead. It would give the stability the proponents of the bill are after and still mitigate some of the concerns we have.”
A Senate staff analysis of the proposal says cities and counties could see a $452 million hit on tax revenue just in the 2013-2014 fiscal year alone. The Senate version (SJR 658) never passed its final two committee stops.
That may not spell doom for the bill’s outcome, because Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Thursday that bills that did not make it out of the Budget committee could be heard on the floor.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Cattlemen Sue Over EPA Rules
April 29, 2011
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association on Thursday became the latest groups to file lawsuits challenging Environmental Protection Agency rules establishing numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s fresh water bodies.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District in Tallahassee and asks the court to throw out the federal standards as arbitrary and in violation of the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.
The state’s attorney general and agriculture commissioner have also sued over the rule, as have local governments and business interests. All the plaintiffs say the federal government is overstepping in dictating standards for clean water to Florida when the state can do it itself.
The EPA says the rules will cost Florida about $35 million a year but opponents of the rules, including the Cattlemen, say they’ll cost far more – hundreds of millions a year.
Gulf Power Helping With Power Restoration Following Alabama Tornadoes
April 28, 2011
A Gulf Power storm restoration team of 81 employees headed to Alabama this morning to assist Alabama Power, following the deadly storms that swept across most of that state last night.
As of 7 a.m., Alabama Power had more than 340,000 customers without power.
Forty-seven line personnel, 16 support staff and 2 vegetation team members will assist Alabama Power in the Tuscaloosa area, heavily damaged by several tornadoes. In addition, Gulf Power is sending a 16-man evaluator team. These employees will help assess the damage and determine equipment needed to restore power. The crews are prepared to work for up to 2 weeks in the Alabama Power region and will assist wherever they are needed.
Gulf Power already has assisted Alabama Power and Georgia Power this winter and spring as an ice storm and numerous thunderstorms knocked out power to customers in those states.
“We’re glad to be able to help our fellow Southern Company utility after this devastating storm,” said Jeff Rogers of Gulf Power. “Our crews are some of the most highly-trained restoration experts in the world. It’s common for utilities to help each other and we’re just glad to be part of the effort.
Alabama Tornado Death Toll Surpasses 200
April 28, 2011
The death toll from Alabama’s tornado outbreak on Wednesday has risen to 204.
Emergency crews worked since last night to free people trapped in the rubble from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and beyond — and to recover the bodies of the victims. A state of emergency has been declared by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, and Pres. Obama has done the same. Nearly 1,500 Alabama National Guardsmen have been activated to assist.
Over 1,700 people were injured.
Authorities are saying the death tolls is only expected to rise in the coming days.
The video at the top of the page shows damage near McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. The video below shows the storm live on Birmingham television.
Ballpark Warns Of Possible Scam
April 28, 2011
The president of the Molino Ballpark is issuing a warning to the community about a possible scam.
Jayson Ging said late Wednesday night that Molino Ballpark officials had learned that someone may be claiming to sell fruit baskets or raffle tickets for the park or a team, but none of the Molino teams are currently conducting such a fundraiser.
“I know that a few people have been scammed already,” Ging said. He said that Molino ball teams do conduct fundraisers, but they mostly take place at the ballpark. “This one is a individual without any connection with the park taking advantage of people.”
The possible fraud is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with any information about the possible fraud, or anyone that believes they may be a victim, should call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Molino Couple Pleads Not Guilty In Cancer Scam Case
April 28, 2011
The Molino couple accused in a fake cancer scam that raised thousands of dollars have both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Sonja Marsell Luker, 42, and Gerald Christopher “Chris” Luker, 43, were due to appear in court today before Judge Joel Boles for an arraignment hearing on felony charges of fraud and grand theft. Through their attorneys, both Lukers waived arraignment and pleaded not guilty prior to today’s hearings, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
But the Lukershave requested a trial by jury. A trial date has not yet been set.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, numerous fundraisers were held between May 2004 and October 2010 that raised over $19,000. Evidence shows that about $14,000 was used to avoid foreclosure on their home in 2009 and about $4,000 in cash was used by Chris Luker to purchase a 1997 Harley motorcycle.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Chris and Sonja Luker personally received money from friends, family, church members and co-workers under a “scheme” that Sonja Luker was being treated for cancer. Investigators believe both Chris and Sonja Luker are guilty of fraud in the scheme; witnesses said the couple was observed together at fundraisers talking about her cancer treatments.
For an earlier story about the arrests, click here.
Pictured above: Sonja and Chris Luker (in black shirts) are seen in a 2009 NorthEscambia.com photo from a motorcycle ride fundraiser that benefited her alleged fight against cancer. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Both Lose In Region 1-2A Quarterfinals (With Photo Gallery)
April 28, 2011
The Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals are both out of the Region 1-2A tournament after disappointing losses Wednesday.
The Northview Lady Chiefs (15-10) lost to the Sneads Pirates 6-2 in a Bratt quarterfinal game. Sophomore Misty Doran pitched all seven innings for Northview, allowing seven hits, six runs and striking out three. Northview hitters included Shawna Montgomery 2-4 with a double and RBI, Doran and Ashley Digmon who was 3-4.
On the road in Bonifay, the Jay Lady Royals lost to Holmes County 8-6.
Sneads and Holmes County will battle it out Friday night for the regional championship.
For a photo gallery from the Northview vs. Sneads game, click here.
Pictured top: Senior Shawna Montgomery at bat for the Lady Chiefs. Pictured inset: Senior Ashely Digmon make a catch for an out Thursday evening in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House Balking At Higher Fla. Medicaid Reimbursements
April 28, 2011
The Senate’s top health-budget writer fired back Wednesday night at House opposition to a plan that would funnel more money to physicians who treat Medicaid patients. Senate budget negotiators released a revised proposal to increase Medicaid rates by $243.7 million for primary-care physicians.
That was lower than a $338 million Senate proposal earlier in the day.
But House negotiators balked at increasing the payment rates, linking the issue to the House’s refusal to carry out last year’s federal health-care overhaul. That federal law calls for similar physician-rate increases in 2013 and 2014.
Negron, however, said many doctors do not want to treat Medicaid patients because of low rates. He said the Senate has long wanted increases — regardless of the federal law.
“We’ve been talking about this for a long time before that,’’ Negron said. The physician issue is one of several major differences between the House and Senate as they try to agree on a health and human-services budget. Senate negotiators tinkered Wednesday night with one of those issues — slightly reducing a proposal to slash funding for adult mental-health programs.
But House Health Care Appropriations Chairman Matt Hudson, R-Naples, made clear that negotiating teams might not be able to resolve the major differences. If that is the case, top House and Senate leaders would have to negotiate the issues, which also include cutting nursing-home and hospital Medicaid rates and potentially cutting the Medically Needy program.
“I’m not sure, quite honestly, where we’re going to get on some of these big substantive items,” Hudson said.
By The News Service Of Florida