Abortion Bills Ready For Final House Vote
April 27, 2011
The Florida House is ready Wednesday to approve a sweeping series of abortion restrictions, including a requirement that women undergo ultrasounds before they can terminate pregnancies.
House members took up five bills Tuesday that target issues such as insurance coverage for abortions, teen abortions, state funding of abortions and clinic ownership. A sixth bill would change how money is used from sales of the “Choose Life” license plate.
Republicans rejected a string of Democratic amendments during a four-hour debate. Democrats — who earlier sent out news releases describing the bills as “anti-women” and “anti-female” — repeatedly questioned the abortion focus when many voters are concerned about issues such as jobs and the economy.
“Would this legislation result in any creation of jobs?” Rep. Charles Chestnut, D-Gainesville, asked at one point.
But Rep. Rachel Burgin, a Riverview Republican who sponsored one of the bills, said “you cannot put an economic study on life.”
“I believe the health of women and health of families is really important,” she said.
With Republicans controlling the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature for the past dozen years, debates about abortion bills have been common. But the volume of bills moving forward this year has been unusual.
The Senate could take up two abortion bills on the floor Wednesday, and others appear to have a chance at passing before the legislative session ends May 6.
Here are summaries of the House bills that are poised for votes as early as Wednesday:
— HB 1127: This measure would require ultrasounds before women can have first-trimester abortions, a requirement that already is in place for later-term abortions. It would largely reverse former Gov. Charlie Crist’s veto of a similar bill last year.
Women would have to sign forms stating they do not want to see the fetal images or hear descriptions. Supporters said Tuesday that many clinics already perform ultrasounds before abortions, but critics argued it could be a financial burden for some women.
“Will the patient be forced to pay for an ultrasound that she does not wish to be performed?” asked House Minority Leader Ron Saunders, D-Key West.
But Rep. Paige Kreegel, a Punta Gorda Republican who is a physician, said good doctors already are performing ultrasounds.
“All we’re doing with this bill is mandating the good practice of medicine,” Kreegel said.
— HB 97: This proposal is designed to prevent abortion coverage in policies that will be sold through a state health-insurance exchange, which is required in 2014 as part of last year’s federal health overhaul.
Such exchanges will create new marketplaces for individuals and small businesses to buy health insurance, with low-income people able to get federal subsidies.
Tax dollars could not be used to pay for abortions, but the federal law will allow people to pay separately for abortion coverage. The House bill would block such coverage from being available in the Florida exchange.
— House Joint Resolution 1179: This proposed constitutional amendment would go on the 2012 ballot and, in part, make clear that public funds could not be used to pay for abortions — including through health-insurance coverage.
Federal law, known as the “Hyde Amendment,” already bars public funding of abortions through programs such as Medicaid. But resolution sponsor Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, said that law is not part of the Florida Constitution.
The proposed resolution, however, would go further because it also would prevent the Florida Constitution from being interpreted more broadly than the U.S. Constitution when it comes to abortion issues. That is important because a privacy clause in the Florida Constitution has been successfully used in the past to challenge abortion restrictions.
— HB 1247: This measure would change a law that requires parents to be notified before minors can get abortions. It would tighten restrictions on minors who seek judicial approval to have abortions without their parents being notified.
As an example, the bill would require minors to go before judges in the same judicial circuits where they live. That would be more restrictive than the current requirement, which allows minors to go before judges in the appellate-districts where they live — a far-larger number of courts in some regions of the state.
Abortion-rights advocates have long argued that some teens need the judicial-waiver process because they could be endangered if parents find out they are pregnant or seeking abortions. Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, questioned Tuesday whether minors’ anonymity could be threatened if they have to go to courthouses in the circuit where they live.
But bill sponsor Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said the current process allows minors to be driven up to six hours from their homes to go before judges.
— HB 1397: This measure includes a series of changes to abortion laws, including trying to prevent abortions after fetuses have reached “viability.”
But perhaps the most-controversial part of the bill would require that doctors or groups of doctors own and operate any new clinics after Oct. 1, 2011. The requirement would not apply to currently operating clinics.
Rep. Luis Garcia, D-Miami Beach, said that could be a problem because physicians often need investors to finance clinics. But Burgin, the bill sponsor, said “this is not a job for entrepreneurs.”
— HB 501: This proposal would funnel money collected through sales of the “Choose Life” license plate to a non-profit group called Choose Life, Inc.
The money is supposed to go to programs that help pregnant women who are willing to put babies up for adoption. Under current law, the money goes to counties, which then distribute it to adoption-related programs.
Baxley, the bill sponsor, said the state needs a more “uniform” process for distributing the money, which Choose Life, Inc., would provide. But opponents questioned whether the bill includes enough safeguards to make sure the non-profit uses the money appropriately.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Resurfacing Begins On Century’s Worst Roads
April 26, 2011
Resurfacing begins this week on seven of Century’s worst roads.
The town will repave Freedom Road, the portion of Old Flomaton Road in the city limits, Hecker Road, Elm Street, Hilltop Road, B Street and Archie Street. The streets were on the top of the town’s priority list.
Traffic delays will be kept to a minimum during the resurfacing process. “We ask our residents to be patient with us for a couple of weeks while we improve our streets,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said.
The resurfacing part of the project will cost the town about $200,000 by piggybacking on an Escambia County contract with Roads, Inc. Of Northwest Florida. Another $14,000 will be added for pavement striping on Freedom, Old Flomaton and Hecker. Striping — those lines down the middle and on the side of the roadway — will not be added to the other roads because they are low-traffic.
There will be about a dozen roads remaining to be paved on the town’s priority list. Five of them — West Cottage Street, Academy Street, Pleasant Hill Road, Ramar Street and Lake Street — are all short or dead end streets. The remaining are dirt roads that will require extensive drainage work prior to surfacing.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Gets 3 Years Probation On Drug Charges
April 26, 2011
A Walnut Hill man has been sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty on four drug charges.
Mark Allen Shipps, 38, pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana in connection with a meth lab that was discovered last October at a shed located at his home at in the 6400 block of Rockaway Creek Road in the Nokomis community.
Shipps was also ordered to pay fines and court costs of $668 and his driver’s license was suspended for two years.
Photos: Spring Gardening At Century Care Center
April 26, 2011
Spring means gardening for many in the area, and the residents at Century Care Center are no exception. The residents have planted a variety of vegetables in raised beds for easy access.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
27-Year Proprietor Of Mamie’s Restaurant Passes Away
April 26, 2011
Longtime Century and Flomaton restaurateur Mamie E. Rowland passed away Sunday. She was 77.
Rowland owned and operated Mamie’s Restaurant for 27 years. The business began in Century and later moved to Flomaton after fire destroyed the first location.
Funeral services for Mamie E. Rowland will be held Wednesday, April 27 at Jay Funeral Home. For the complete obituary, click here.
Friday Deadline To Pay Escambia Real Estate, Tangible Taxes
April 26, 2011
Over $24 million — about nine percent — of Escambia County’s tax roll remains unpaid, according to Tax Collector Janet Holley.
All 2010 real estate and tangible personal property taxes must be paid and receipted by 5 p.m. Friday, April 29 to prevent being advertised as delinquent, adding advertising costs to the final tax bill. Online or automated phone payments (800‑601‑1055) also must be made by midnight April 30 to prevent advertising.
The delinquent ads will be published and posted on the tax collector’s web site on May 12.
Payments must be processed:
- in person at one of four branch offices by 5:00 p.m. April 29;
- through the service center 850-438-6500 x252 by 5:00 p.m. April 29;
- on the website www.escambiataxcollector.com by midnight April 30; or
- on the automated telephone 800-601-1055 by midnight April 30.
For more information, contact the tax collector’s office at (850) 438-6500, Ext. 252.
West Florida High Criminal Justice Club Takes Part In State Conference
April 26, 2011
West Florida High School of Advanced Technology’s Criminal Justice Club travels to Daytona today for the Florida Public Service Association Conference.
The FPSA is a high school based club for students who are involved in the studies of criminal justice, teacher assisting or firefighter assisting. The organization was founded in 1990 to assist teachers and students studying in these career fields to expand the knowledge of their chosen fields by competing against others from around the state. The competitions are designed by teachers based on the Florida Department of Education curriculum guidelines for each of these career fields.
Three North Escambia residents, Cheyenne Godwin and Kaitlin Howard of Molino and Josh Vihnanek of Walnut Hill, are among those competing this week. During the conference, Godwin will be campaigning for FPSA state historian.
Last year at FPSA Conference, WFHS placed in the following:
- Community Service
- Extemporaneous Open Statement
- Extemporaneous Poster Display
- CPR
- Job Seeking Skills
- Parliamentary Procedures
- Scrapbook
- Mr. Public Service
- Ms. Public Service
- Firearms-Novice
- Firearms-Advanced (1st & 2nd Place)
- Top Gun
- Forensic Investigation
- Accident Report Writing
- Traffic Accident Report Writing
- Defensive Tactics
- Traffic Stop
- 3rd in CJ Top Chapter
Teacher-sponsor for the group is Gerald Russo.
Pictured top: The West Florida High School of Advanced Technology’s Criminal Justice Club at FPSA 2010 in Orlando. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Red Flag Warnings: 65+ Rescues At Area Beaches
April 26, 2011
Headed to the beach for Spring Break? Officials are reminding everyone to pay attention to red and yellow flag warnings.
There were more than 65 rescues by lifeguards from Pensacola Beach to Navarre Beach during last weekend. There were no drownings, but several people were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Dangerous surf conditions and rip currents are expected to persist this week. For the latest surf advisory for Pensacola Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore, call (850) 932-SURF.
Pictured top: A lifeguard heads into the Gulf at Pensacola Beach to rescue a swimmer in trouble. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Proposed Amendment Targets Federal Health Overhaul
April 26, 2011
Readying for a ballot fight in 2012, the House Health & Human Services Committee on Monday approved a proposed constitutional amendment that targets a key part of the federal health overhaul.
The proposed amendment says laws or rules “may not compel, directly or indirectly, any person or employer to purchase, obtain or otherwise provide for health care coverage.”
The Senate has already approved its version of the measure, which would seek to allow Floridians to opt out of the “individual mandate” in the health law that President Obama and congressional Democrats passed last year. That mandate will require almost all Americans to have health insurance in 2014. The Health & Human Services Committee voted 8-6 for the proposal, sending it to the full House.
Sponsor Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, said it would allow people to make their own choices about health care. But Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood, said it is one of several attacks by Florida Republicans on the health law.
Weekend Photos: Easter Events
April 25, 2011
This weekend was Easter, and several North Escacmbia area churches submitted photos from their children and youth Easter programs.
- Photos: Highland Baptist Easter
- Photos: Century First Baptist Church Easter
- Photos: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church ‘Eggstravaganza’
- Photos: Shiloh Free Will Baptist Egg Hunt
- Photos: Bratt Assembly Of God Egg Hunt
- Photos: Century Easter Egg Hunt At Abundant Life Assembly
- Christians Mark Good Friday
If you have photos from events at your church or from your non-profit group, we would love to share them. Email your photos to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured above: An Easter egg hunt Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.