Tax Watch Finds Millions Worth Of Turkeys In State Budget
May 25, 2011
Despite agonizing over deep cuts to education and health care, lawmakers found room in the state’s nearly $70 billion budget to slip in $203 million in questionable member projects, the largest amount in four years, according to an annual analysis by Florida TaxWatch.
The biggest beneficiary of this increase in member projects, known in Capitol parlance as “turkeys,” are colleges and universities, which scored $124 million in funding for 34 construction projects and other programs in ways that don’t fit what TaxWatch considers the standard budget process.
State universities and colleges defend the budget items identified by TaxWatch as legitimate expenditures that were vetted by their local boards, such as renovating decades-old classroom buildings or providing needed classroom space.
One lawmaker joined in the defense of the budget Tuesday, delivering a blistering critique of the TaxWatch report. Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, called it a “media gimmick,” that mistakenly gives too much credence to the governor’s limited budget authority.
“Deference to the executive branch is entirely misplaced,” said Negron said in a statement. “Under the Florida Constitution, the Legislature has the exclusive authority to budget.”
TaxWatch, a conservative tax policy advocacy group, issued its annual recommendation of spending items that should be vetoed on Tuesday ahead of Gov. Rick Scott’s reported plans to sign the budget on Thursday.
“In one of the toughest budget years on record, our leaders should have been more disciplined and consistent with taxpayer money as Florida families are forced to be with their budgets,” said TaxWatch head Dominic Calabro.
Scott has said he will find “additional savings” in the budget. Colleges and universities are fearful that he will target their projects and are lobbying to save them from his veto pen, saying many will create jobs.
“TaxWatch is on the right track,” said Scott spokesman Lane Wright. “There are far too many tax dollars in this budget that could be put towards more important priorities.” Wright said the budget turkeys could be put to better use on overall education funding rather than “shipping it off to special interest earmarks.”
Tax Watch said it identified projects that did not receive a full vetting by the Legislature or were not formally requested by the agency or organization that it benefits. TaxWatch also said it was concerned that more college and university construction projects that use bond funding will jeopardize the state’s bond rating.
Negron defended the budget process as open and transparent, saying the budget conference process at the end of the session, when the House and Senate negotiate over their separate budgets is “meaningful” – not simply a way to slip in spending items.
It’s not uncommon for governors to veto spending projects approved by the Legislature in order to claim credit for being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. But turkeys remain popular for lawmakers as a way to prove their worth to local voters, snagging dollars that benefit projects in their home district.
Most of the items TaxWatch identified for colleges and universities focused on construction or renovation projects funded by the bond program PECO, or Public Education Capital Outlay.
TaxWatch targeted for veto the renovation and construction of buildings worth $19 million to the University of Central Florida. These projects were flagged for either not being on the Board of Governor’s priority list or for being added late in the budget negotiation process. Lobbyist Daniel Holsenbeck defended the projects as legitimate needs that were vetted and approved by the university’s board.
“We vetted them as thoroughly and publicly as we can,” Holsenbeck said. “Ultimately it is the Legislature’s discretion as to how they create the budget and appropriate items.”
Given its booming student population, Holsenbeck said the university wants to build more classroom space. The budget includes $5.2 million to go towards the construction of a new classroom building as well as about $7.5 million for the renovation of two buildings, one of which was first built in 1968.
“I don’t have anything to be ashamed of with these projects,” Holsenbeck said.
TaxWatch also targeted community and state colleges for their earmark list. Pasco Hernando Community College would receive $6.9 million in the budget for the “Wesley Chapel Center” at a new campus. TaxWatch flagged it because it was added late in the budget process, preventing it from a full vetting by the Legislature. Wesley Chapel happens to be home to Republican House Speaker-designate Will Weatherford.
Brevard Community College stands to receive $7.5 million in the budget for a new $26 million building that provides a centralized location for the school’s fire fighting, law enforcement and criminal justice programs. Tax Watch called this a “turkey” because it was not requested by the Florida College System.
Some of the projects on the Tax Watch list this year were vetoed last year by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Last year, Crist vetoed $35 million to start work on the new University of South Florida Polytechnic campus in Lakeland and another $10 million for a new pharmacy school there. Those projects resurfaced in the budget this year, with the pharmacy school appearing on the Tax Watch list.
Universities and colleges also defended the process that led to so many projects being added to the budget at the last minute. The House and Senate did not determine the amount of dollars available for PECO projects until near the end of budget negotiations. At that point, the Legislature managed to more than double the amount of available PECO dollars by adding $160 million to the pool, opening the window for last-minute additions.
Universities and state colleges weren’t the only areas that caught the eye of TaxWatch.
Nearly $80 million in other programs and projects were highlighted by the group. One hefty item is the $4 million set aside for an emergency operations center in Glades County, a project that TaxWatch said was a local project that was not competitively bid.
The region would also benefit from $ 1.7 million in storm water programs for LaBelle and greater Glades County. Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, chairman of the House budget committee, has said the projects are linked to overall Everglades restoration efforts.
Also on the TaxWatch list is the Duval County Wounded Warrior Project, which would get $3.2 million in general revenue. TaxWatch said the project hasn’t historically gotten any government money.
But it appears unlikely that Scott would veto that line item – the Wounded Warrior Project is one of his favorites. Extra money from Scott’s inaugural celebration went to the program in Jacksonville.
Several community groups that do social work were singled out by TaxWatch for improperly included earmarks. Among those were groups like the Gould’s Coalition of Ministries and Lay People, which provides services, mostly to migrant workers, in south Miami-Dade County.
A trio of Central Florida redevelopment projects in Orange and Osceola Counties totaling $4.6 million were flagged as a member request that was not requested by the governor or any agency.
TaxWatch also targeted $1 million from general revenue funds to develop a pilot program to provide jobs for at-risk youth in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties. The request has been tagged before by the group for lacking adequate performance standards.
The group also suggested a veto for a $12 million facility for homeless veterans in Brevard County.
Local governments weren’t the only targets. A $4 million appropriation within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to promote precision agriculture caught TaxWatch’s gaze.
The program uses satellites and geographic information systems to help farmers collect data about their fields, allowing them to surgically irrigate, apply fertilize or apply pesticides to crops.
The group said the project was neither asked for nor recommended by Scott.
By Lilly Rockwell and Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida
Woman Goes On Bowling Date, Leaves 9-Month Old Home Alone
May 24, 2011
Deputies say an Escambia County woman left her nine-month old son home alone while she went on a date at a local bowling alley.
Leah June Rabon, 20, was arrested late Monday night for cruelty towards a child and child neglect, after leaving her child unattended at her apartment for over two hours.
At around 9:41 Monday night, Deputies responded to Rabon’s apartment after receiving an anonymous tip that the child may have been left alone.
Responding deputies were able to track down Rabon’s cell phone number and successfully contacted her. She confirmed that her son was inside the residence without supervision.
“Once we determined that an infant was inside the apartment we made a forced entry into the unit,” said Deputy Chris Welborn. “We found the baby asleep in his bedroom and, thankfully, he was healthy.”
Once Rabon returned to her residence she was arrested, telling deputies that she had left her son to go on a date. She said she had been away for around two hours.
The Florida Department of Children and Family services responded and placed the child into the custody of maternal grandparents. Rabon was booked into the Escambia County Jail and held without bond.
‘Project Everest’ Could Mean 102 New Jobs
May 24, 2011
Over 100 new, well-paying jobs in the North Escambia area could be announced in the next few months, according to the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Project Everest” is the code-name for the $56 million business expansion that would create 102 jobs at average annual salaries of more than $55,000.
Back in September, Escambia County approved an ad valorem tax exemption for the company for up to 10 years. The capital investment, according to an Escambia County resolution, will expand and equip an existing production facility and increase the company’s local production by more than 10 percent.
Officials had not revealed the name or location of the business until Monday night.
Bridgette Price, interim vice president for Economic Development for the Pensacola chamber, told the Century Town Council that the business is located “probably just past International Paper” when discussing business development and the chamber’s efforts in the northern part of Escambia County.
During her presentation to the council, Price said the chamber expects an announcement concerning Project Everest by this summer.
In September the Pensacola chamber said the area was in competition with at least two other states for Project Everest, which they described only as a project engaged in advanced manufacturing.
Century Holds Economic Meeting With Chambers, County, State Officials
May 24, 2011
The Century Town Council held an economic summit of sorts Monday evening to learn more about economic development opportunities that exist for the town.
During a joint workshop with the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the Century Chamber of Commerce, Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the council was educated on Brownfields zones, Enterprise Zones and the Pensacola chamber’s “Vision 2015″ plan to create 3,o00 new jobs in the Escambia-Santa Rosa County region.
The Brownfield Area encompasses the entire town due to land that may have actual or perceived environmental contamination. The designation provides bonuses for job creation, loan guarantees, sales tax credits and other incentives for qualified businesses to locate in the town.
“The economic incentives outweigh the stigma of being a Brownfield area,” Alex Webster, Brownfield program coordinator for the Florida Department of Environmental Management told the group.
Century is also an Enterprise Zone, providing qualifying businesses with various tax credits and incentives, according to Clara Long, Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency.
Bridgette Price of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce also detailed the chamber’s plan for economic growth, including growth in the north part of the county.
“We want to know how to help you promote job opportunities here in Century,” Price told the council.
Pictured top: Alex Webster (far right), Brownfield program coordinator for the Florida Department of Environmental Management, discusses a PowerPoint presentation with the Century Town Council Monday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Deputies Respond To Burglary At Old High School
May 24, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible burglary in progress Monday evening at the old Century High School on Hecker Road. Someone reported a busted window and two juveniles on the property at about 7:45 p.m. Deputies arrived about a minute later and questioned the teen males. There were no arrests.
Pictured top: Deputies arrived at the old Century High School within about a minute of possible burglary in progress. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Three Charged With Gunpoint Robbery In Home Depot Parking Lot
May 24, 2011
Three men are under arrest after they robbed a local juvenile at gunpoint Sunday afternoon.
Andre Lanier Cook, 24, Otis Charles Foster Jr., 20 and Tevin Akeem Nettles, 18 were arrested and charged with robbery of an individual with a firearm, robbery carjacking with a firearm, kidnapping, grand theft, possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine.
On Sunday afternoon, around 3:23 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Highway 29 and West Nine Mile Road for the reported robbery. Deputies were told by the juvenile victim that he was waiting for a friend in the parking lot of the Home Depot, located at 541 West Nine Mile Rd., when the robbery occurred.
According to the victim a silver Mitsubishi Mirage, occupied by 3 males, was driven up next to his Chevrolet Silverado truck. Two of the males jumped out of the Mirage and into the victim’s vehicle. One of the males forced the victim out of the driver’s seat and into the middle seat. The other male was armed with a handgun and warned the victim to cooperate or risk getting shot.
The victim was driven to Untreiner Avenue where the suspects took the victims stereo equipment, cell phone, iPod, cash and clothing items. The suspects then fled the scene in the Mirage, leaving the victim unharmed.
“Shortly after deputies spoke to the victim in this case they broadcast a description of the suspects and their vehicle to other units,” said Deputy Chris Welborn. “Deputies later located the suspects, arrested them and seized their vehicle and the firearm used in this crime.”
Deputies also located marijuana and cocaine in the suspect’s vehicle as well as all the property they took from the victim.
The three were booked into the Escambia County Jail and held on a $311,000 bond.
Attention Teachers, Parents: How To Get Your Student Awards Published
May 24, 2011
It’s awards season at schools in the North Escambia area with hundreds of awards being presented over the next few days to students. And NorthEscambia.com wants to publish as many of the awards as possible.
Teachers
If you are a teacher, please check first with your principal to see if a school-wide award list is being compiled for NorthEscambia.com. If not, email your award list to news@northescambia.com for inclusion in an upcoming story.
Parents
Parents should ask their child’s teacher or principal to send an awards list to NorthEscambia.com We welcome your award ceremony photos; email them to news@northescambia.com.
If your child wins an award not presented at the school — for instance, an award presented at a ceremony in Pensacola — email the info and any photos to news@northescambia.com. Due to logistics, we are unable to accept parental submissions of awards presented at school (other than photos).
Food Bank Collects Cash From Lawsuit Settlement
May 24, 2011
The Bay Area Food Bank is one of eight food banks in the state that will share nearly $1.7 million in grants for a settlement reached by the Florida Attorney General’s Office in 2010. The multi-state, class action settlement agreement involved allegations of an illegal vitamin price-fixing conspiracy.
“I am pleased that we can distribute these funds to food banks throughout Florida, which will help our fellow citizens who are in need,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Each of these organizations is a member of the Florida Association of Food Banks, which feeds an estimated three million Floridians annually.”
The settlement agreement required the money to be used for the improvement of health and/or nutrition of the citizens of Florida and/or the advancement of nutritional, dietary or agricultural science
The Bay Area Food Bank will receive $78,99.14 for the settlement. The food bank serves clients though locations in 24 counties in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The agency is on track to deliver more than 14 million pounds of food this year.
Go Blue Wahoos! Pcola’s New Baseball Team Gets A Name
May 24, 2011
Pensacola’s new Double-A baseball team will be named the Blue Wahoos.
The name, submitted by Shelley Yates of Pensacola, was the slight favorite among thousands of fans that cast their vote during a “Name the Team” contest.
The Blue Wahoos brand was officially welcomed to Pensacola Monday at Cordova Park Elementary School. Quint and Rishy Studer, owners of the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Blue Wahoos President Bruce Baldwin and fifth grade students and teachers from Cordova Park Elementary School were on hand to cheer for the six finalists and ultimately the winning name.
“From the 1,700 people who submitted team names to the pep rally here today at Cordova Park Elementary School, we have all thoroughly enjoyed this whole process,” said Quint Studer. “Naming the team is one of many opportunities for our fans and community to really take ownership of their new team. If the energy and creativity we saw from fans during this contest is any indication, we are going to have a lot of fun when the Blue Wahoos begin playing in Pensacola.”
Named for the explosive way they pull out of the water, Wahoos are a tough hometown fish that mean business. Blue, while part of the fish’s color, also connects to Pensacola’s blue water, blue skies and the Blue Angels, according to the team.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the future Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team will begin play in April 2012 at Maritime Park.
Pictured top: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos name is announced Monday morning during a pep rally at Cordova Park Elementary School. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Accused Of Burglary, Punching Police Dog
May 24, 2011
An Escambia County burglary suspect was arrested early Monday after punching a police dog in the face and trying to break into a car wash.
Allen Jay Dillard, 20, was arrested shortly after deputies responded to reports of the burglary at a Mobile Highway car wash.
The business owner, Donald Roe, witnessed the burglary by watching video surveillance of the business from his home. He called 911 and gave a description of the suspect to sheriff’s dispatchers.
An Escambia County Deputy was on patrol a few blocks away when the call was put out. As the deputy arrived at the car wash, Dillard fled on foot.
“Dillard ran away from the deputy and into a wooded area near Mobile Highway and Michigan Avenue,” said sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “Shortly after Dillard ran into the woods one of our K-9 units arrived on scene.”
Deputy Mark Smith and his K-9 partner, Jeck, tracked Dillard through the woods to the Denver Avenue area.
“Dillard, who was armed with a crowbar, was given several commands to stop running but refused to do so,” Welborn said. “Jeck was released and quickly apprehended him.”
According to a report, Dillard punched Jeck in the face several times but the K-9 refused to let go. Deputies were then able to restrain Dillard with handcuffs.
Dillard was booked into the Escambia County Jail and charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, battery on a police dog, criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence. He was held on a $12,500 bond.