Staff Reports
When the Leon County School Board — situated in the backyard of a school-choice friendly Capitol — voted unanimously this week to block two charters from setting up shop, it was framed as “sending a message to the state.”
Following the rejection of proposed charters Plato Academy and Tallahassee Classical School, Superintendent Rocky Hanna said, “Today is the day Leon County Schools can send a message to lawmakers across the state, that enough is enough,” according to Ryan Dailey of WFSU.
One School Board member even said their no-vote was a “philosophical stance” — not because the charters’ applications lacked merit.
We reached out to Classical for its take on this week’s anti-charter episode.
“We are disappointed with the Leon County School Board’s decision to deny the merit of our application in favor of a philosophical stance against charter schools,” Jaime Carbonell, a Board Member at Classical, told us.
The School Board primarily cited concerns that expanding charters could segregate the district.
But Carbonell said the school must take all applicants and cannot review demographic information until students are accepted.
“Just like any other neighborhood school, we will accept all students who seek to attend our school, and we plan to recruit a diverse population of students,” added Carbonell.
Both Plato and Classical intend to appeal to the state. The School Board’s denial letter is expected to be available late next week.
Coming up, the usual assortment of tidbits, leftovers and not-ready-for-prime-time moments by Danny McAuliffe, Drew Wilson, Jim Rosica and Peter Schorsch.
But first, the “Takeaway 5” — the Top 5 stories from the week that was:
State granted stay on voting rights — A last-minute court decision on the state’s clemency process was viewed as a victory for Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a previous order Wednesday that would’ve mandated the state completely rewrite its clemency process before the week’s end. The win for the state suggests the judicial tide may turn in its favor in the fight over Florida’s process for restoring voting rights to ex-cons. Still, public criticism could continue — and result in major changes. A Capitol rally Thursday saw high-profile speakers Al Sharpton and Attorney Ben Crump fueling support for a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to certain felons. It will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 4.
Gaming special session a no-go — Key members of the Legislature announced this week they would not reconvene to iron out gambling issues left unresolved in the 2018 Legislative Session. The announcement followed weeks of fret, including a period when the state was unsure whether the Seminole Tribe of Florida would continue kicking payments, which float around $300 million yearly, to state coffers. That threat was quelled when Gov. Scott announced two weeks ago that he’d reached an agreement with the Tribe. It will continue paying the state through May 2019. Still, the chances of a special session loomed as chamber leaders negotiated finer details of statewide gambling policies. But Sen. Bill Galvano told media this week that those negotiations fell apart. Now the Legislature faces the prospect of letting voters decide the fate of any future gambling expansion in the state, a provision of Amendment 3, a voter initiative primed to appear on the November ballot.
Parkland panel meets — A fact-finding commission spawned by the passing of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting began its work this week. As reported by multiple outlets, a Broward County Sheriff’s officer recreated the alleged shooting using animated dots. The panel, which includes parents of slain students of the Parkland school, is charged with identifying problems and suggesting solutions to prevent future school shootings. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who heads the panel, already has pointed out the need for communication improvements. He’s also suggested that classrooms should have inside locking mechanisms for doors. Stoneman Douglas doors could not be locked from inside.
Number of marijuana patients exceeds 100K — The state’s medical pot registry recently topped 100,000 patients, but not all are using the medicine. Despite the registry’s tally, only around 75,000 Floridians have an approved medical marijuana card. The disparity is significant because the state is required to issue four additional growing and selling licenses each time 100,000 new cardholders are added. The Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use said not all patients in the registry are active, nor are they seeking an ID card. Over 2,000 card applications currently are being processed. Lawmakers and others have criticized the state in the past for its backlog of patients waiting for marijuana cards.
Wildfires continue scorching state — Dry conditions are resulting in wildfires across the Sunshine State. The Florida Forest Service announced Sunday that a 30-acre fire consumed two homes in Big Pine Key while firefighters battled 13 other infernos statewide. On Wednesday it was reported that a lightning strike in Indian River County resulted in a 56-acre blaze. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam released an advisory this week warning Floridians to be cautious with fire and heat sources and suggesting tips, such as “never burn on windy days,” to prevent wildfires.
Scott attends deployment ceremony
On Wednesday, Gov. Scott attended the Florida National Guard deployment ceremony of the 116th Field Artillery Regiment in Plant City.
A Navy veteran and the son of a World War II vet, Scott thanked the 23 National Guard members who are set to deploy to Southwest Asia.
During remarks, Scott said his “biggest honor” in his capacity as Governor is commanding the state’s Guard.
He extolled the Guard for steadfastly responding to state emergencies, particularly hurricanes.
“Whether it’s Irma or Matthew, the other hurricanes we’ve had. They’ve helped Puerto Rico after the devastating Hurricane Maria,” Scott said.
The Guard, Scott continued, has been deployed over 100 times since the 9/11 attacks. During his tenure as Governor, he estimates the Guard has been deployed into danger around 4-5 times each year.
“But every time, the National Guard shows up and does their job,” Scott added.
Patronis: Trump cuts should phase out corporate income tax
While businesses might be paying more in taxes now, the state’s Chief Financial Officer says it could “pave the way for us to begin phasing out our business tax in Florida.”
CFO Jimmy Patronis has been analyzing President Donald Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Businesses, Patronis said, are expected to pay 13 percent more to the state in taxes over the next 10 years under Trump’s plan. That equates to a $313 million increase in tax base over time.
Without state action, that could give Texas, Florida’s main jobs competitor, a comparative advantage in attracting new business, Patronis said.
“As businesses pay the state more in taxes, Florida is able to lower our tax rate accordingly,” Patronis explained. He’s asked his staff to develop a plan to roll back the business tax and eventually eliminate it.
The tax currently funds scholarships for students to attend charter schools. Patronis also has charged his staff to devise a new way to finance such awards.
Instagram of the week
Bondi promotes ‘give back your drugs’ day
Attorney General Pam Bondi is reminding Floridians of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Take back locations will be open across the state this Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event allows people to take expired or no-longer-needed prescription drugs to local drop-off points for proper disposal.
Turning in old drugs is preferred, compared to throwing old drugs in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. Flushing medicine can bring harm to the environment, as well as create health risks. Consumers can visit the DEA’s website for more information about drug disposal.
“People struggling with addiction will do anything to get their hands on deadly drugs in search of a quick high——even going as far as rummaging through a relative’s medicine cabinet,” she said in a statement.
“That is why I urge everyone to get rid of your nonessential or outdated prescription drugs. Look in your medicine cabinet and if you come across any unused prescriptions, please take them to the nearest Drug Take Back location. This simple task will help us fight the opioid crisis and save lives.”
You can find nearby participating locations by clicking here.
The week in appointments
Sumter County School Board
Sally Moss, 69, of the Villages, is a retired Realtor. She currently serves on the Villages Board of Directors, the Community Development Board of Directors, and the Investment Advisory Committee. Moss is appointed to fill a vacancy created by the passing of school board member Haydn Evans for a term beginning April 16 and ending Nov. 13, 2018.
Florida Commission on the Status of Women
Carol Kuntz, 61, of Winter Park, is a previous trustee of the Florida House and a community leader. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and succeeds Denise Powell for a term beginning April 16 and ending Sept. 30, 2021.
Board of Tampa General Hospital
Richard Gonzmart will join the board of Tampa General Hospital in October. He is president of the Columbia Restaurant Group, which includes 13 eateries. Among them is the flagship Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City, the oldest restaurant in Florida.
5th Judicial Circuit Court
George G. Angeliadis, 49, of Spring Hill, is an attorney with The Hogan Law Firm. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. Angeliadis fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Curtis J. Neal.
10th Judicial Circuit Court
Judge Gerald Hill II, 43, of Lakeland, currently serves as a Polk County Judge. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, his law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law, and his master of laws degree from the University of Florida. He fills the vacancy created by the death of Judge Glenn T. Shelby.
FDLE puts dent in sexual assault kit backlog
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said this week that it has processed nearly 7,000 backlogged sexual assault kits since October 2015, leading Attorney General Bondi to say she was “thrilled with the progress.”
“April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and I am proud of the work we are doing to stand up for victims of this horrendous crime. By testing these kits, we hope to bring some closure and healing to survivors,” Bondi said.
FDLE said the kits produced 1,569 hits on CODIS, a law enforcement tool that compares DNA profiles electronically to link unsolved sexual assaults to each other or known offenders.
Bondi worked alongside law enforcement, victims and individual lawmakers to push for funding to help FDLE clear the backlog during the 2016 Legislative Session. Florida law now requires all newly collected kits to be processed within 120 days.
FDLE said its average turnaround time since the change is 86 days with 99.9 percent of kits being processed within 120 days.
Corrections arrests prison officer
The Florida Department of Corrections this week announced the arrest of one of their own.
Officer Alexandria Trask, 25, of Quincy, faces charges of introducing contraband into a state correctional facility and possession of marijuana.
Trask was caught last week smuggling around 14 grams of marijuana, along with cigarillos, at Jackson County’s Apalachee Correctional Institution, East Unit.
Trask bypassed security by stashing the contraband in a plastic bottle wrapped in black tape and tissue. An affidavit of the arrest noted the use of tape and tissue “is consistent with attempts to introduce contraband into a secure facility.” The tissue tipped off Trask’s colleagues; they noticed it hanging outside of a Stouffer’s product on top of her belongings.
According to the affidavit, Trask refused to answer questions without an attorney present. She was transported to Jackson County Jail.
Dems push for bilingual ballot
It’s no secret that Florida’s 2018 election ballot will be lengthy, and with Florida’s large Hispanic population — exacerbated recently by the influx of Puerto Ricans — Democratic lawmakers are pushing the state to mandate Spanish-language election materials.
Leading the effort is Orlando Democratic state Sen. Victor Torres. He co-authored a letter this week to Secretary of State Ken Detzner expressing the need for a Hispanic-friendly ballot.
“Providing election information and ballots in Spanish-language are essential for some qualified electors to participate in the 2018 Florida elections process,” wrote Torres. State Senators, Annette Taddeo, Jose Javier Rodriguez, Linda Stewart co-authored the letter, along with state Representatives Robert Asencio, John Cortes, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado.
Torres said there will be 300,000 new Hispanic voters in 2018, a result of Puerto Rican evacuees fleeing the island following Hurricane Maria.
Thirteen counties currently do not provide election materials in Spanish-language format. Torres, a Puerto Rican by heritage, said that is a violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act. The legislators’ actions follow that of coalition groups.
Powell honored for ‘home rule’
State Sen. Bobby Powell’s consistent support of local governments drew praise this week from The Florida League of Cities.
The League presented the Riviera Beach Democrat with its Legislative Appreciation Award for his work to protect local government’s power, also known as home rule. The League noted that Powell consistently aligned with positions it supported, even going as far as offering amendments to help prevent pre-emption and unfunded mandates.
For his attention to detail and diligent work, the League also recognized one of Powell’s aides, Ben Durgan.
An urban planner by trade, state overreach hits home for Powell.
“Home Rule is critical to the functioning of local governments and I will always push on their behalf,” Powell said in a statement.
League Legislative Director Scott Dudley said, “The senator’s dedication to and support of Home Rule is incredible, and we owe him a great deal of thanks.”
Duran delivers for cybersecurity
State Rep. Nicholas X. Duran this week presented a $700,000 check to fund the first-ever cybersecurity training center in South Florida.
Located at Miami-Dade College, the program will train 100 entry-level and 100 security professionals each year with skills needed to respond to and prevent cyber threats that can arise during natural disasters.
In presenting the check, Duran cited market demand for cybersecurity positions, suggesting the money will complement the needs of the workforce.
“In my region of South Florida, the Regional Demand Occupations List, shows Cybersecurity jobs to be the second highest growth area in information technology occupations with an annual growth of 2.74 percent and 163 new openings every year,” Duran said in a statement.
A professional network shared between the campus and employers is expected to help the program’s job placement. Added Duran: “It is time we start filling the needs of the Cybersecurity industry by providing a steady stream of educated professionals that are fully capable to facilitate the security necessities of Floridians.”
Jacksonville lawmakers follow through on College Promise
State Rep. Tracie Davis and state Sen. Audrey Gibson, both Jacksonville Democrats, presented a $356,000 check to Edward Waters College this week that’s expected to ease barriers for first-time, low-income students wishing to pursue a degree at the school.
The money will be used to fund the College Promise Program, something Davis’ office described as “a pathway for low income, first-time college students beginning their higher education at a four-year institution.”
The program is tailored to lessen the burden of college debt. The funds will cover up to the last dollar for a group of 100 students at EWC. A college match program attached to the funding will cover bus passes needed for the students.
EWC is the oldest historically black college in Florida. Davis, an EWC alum, felt particularly enthused to have alongside Gibson successfully secured the funding for the school in the 2018 Legislative Session.
“College Promise is the second program in the nation providing a debt-free pathway to higher education for first-time students,” Davis said in a statement. “This is the future of higher education and funding is critical to its success.”
Willhite wants funds freezed for troubled charter school
Amid increased scrutiny of a Wellington charter school’s finances, Democratic state Rep. Matt Willhite wasted no time calling for a freeze and audit of the taxpayer-backed institution.
Reports from local media, primarily the Palm Beach Post, surfaced this month showing that Wellington’s Eagle Arts Academy charter is struggling to pay its staff and overhead costs. It’s estimated the school will be out of money until mid-May, when the Palm Beach County School District sends the next check.
Willhite said that’s grounds for immediate action, including a district audit and the withholding of local and state dollars until a solution is found.
“It is profoundly disturbing that a charter school that receives state funds and is entrusted with educating and protecting our students has fallen egregiously short of its responsibilities as an educational institution,” said Willhite in a prepared statement.
In the 2018 Legislative Session, Willhite voted against the House’s omnibus education package (HB 7055) expected to benefit private charter schools. The measure was largely opposed by Democrats.
Business groups back E-Verify’s defeat
Rejection of a constitutionally mandated employment verification system drew support from two large pro-immigration groups representing business interests across the state.
The American Business Immigration Coalition and IMPAC Fund ramped up efforts recently to advocate against the employment proposal moving through the Constitution Revision Commission. The two groups alleged the proposed system — modeled after the federal government’s E-Verify — would have resulted in major costs to business owners across the state and would have put legal immigrants out of work.
Their advocacy, in part, could have resulted in the CRC axing the concept.
“Immigrant-owned companies like mine employ more than half a million Florida residents, and Florida’s immigrants wield nearly $84 billion in annual spending power,” stated MBF Healthcare Partners Chairman, ABIC co-chair and IMPAC Chair Mike Fernandez. “It’s time to find common ground and address our challenges in a way that promotes pro-business, pro-immigrant and pro-Florida policies.”
Early troubles with the feds’ E-Verify resulted in workers being improperly deemed ineligible to work. Anticipating similar effects in Florida, groups like the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Cato Institute, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Service Employees International Union-Florida, National Partnership for New Americans, National Immigration Law Center, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, and ACLU all opposed the idea.
New opioid grants give hospitals hope
An additional source of funding to fight opioid abuse in the Sunshine State could be a game-changer for Florida Hospitals.
The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association announced this week it has secured $1 million in Aetna grants to fight the state’s opioid epidemic. Part of that money will be used to fund an emergency room intervention program aimed at connecting overdose patients with community-based behavioral health programs.
The concept immediately drew praise from the Florida Hospital Association, which represents 200 health facilities across the state.
“Opioid-related overdoses have touched every community in Florida and our hospital caregivers are among those serving on the front lines of this devastating epidemic,” FHA President Bruce Rueben said. “That’s why we are pleased to work with our community partners at the Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association to increase hospital partnerships with community-based behavioral health providers.”
Florida’s drug crisis is no secret. It remains a state-recognized emergency and addressing the issue was a hot topic in the 2018 Legislative Session, which saw the state pass sweeping opioid reforms to prevent overprescription of painkillers and addiction.
Also funded by the Aetna grants: funding for a program expected to strengthen and formalize relationships between a network of recovery groups.
Able Trust announces Speech & Research finalists
The Able Trust recently released the results of its statewide annual Jeannie Amendola Speech & Research Competition.
Advancing out of a crop of 30 students from The Able Trust’s High School High-Tech Program are David Campbell of Broward County High School High Tech; Edward Grillo of Community Initiatives High School High Tech; Desiree Padua of Orange County High School High Tech; and Sharon McSwain, Gadsden County High School High Tech.
Each of the finalists will move on to a June 22 competition in Tallahassee, which will be judged by The Able Trust Board of Directors. Republican state Reps. Sam Killebrew and Byron Donalds participated as judges in competitions near their districts.
According to a news release, competitors, who are students with disabilities, “had to select and address one topic, using research evidence and references to back up their topic analysis and conclusions.”
“The Able Trust is proud of all the hard work our High School High Tech students put into their presentations,” said Dr. Sue Homant, president and CEO of The Able Trust. “The goals of this competition are twofold — address the development of critical communication skills among high school students with disabilities and develop speaking skills and understand the need to research their presentations, learning to support their opinions with facts.”
Immunizing Florida gets to work
Cathy Mayfield lost her daughter to an infection that seemed to come out of nowhere — but that might have been prevented with a simple immunization shot.
“Lawson literally deteriorated in less than 24 hours from a dull headache into full-blown bacterial meningitis, which is why it is so important for people to be aware of the disease, the symptoms, the treatment, and the availability of safe and effective vaccines,” Mayfield said recently.
Mayfield, founder of the Run for Lawson and advocate for the National Meningitis Association, is a member of Immunize Florida, a statewide coalition formed to support science-based immunization policies. The network includes parents, educators, students, health care professionals and community leaders.
Members will work to educate policymakers and community leaders and seek new vaccine requirements to ensure children in Florida are protected by new and innovative vaccines.
Opioids on the Job
The company that helps set workers’ compensation premiums in Florida is joining the campaign against opioid abuse. The National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, has begun publishing a three-part series, “On Opioids,” exploring attitudes by doctors, insurers, and regulators about opioid use and workers’ compensation.
“The current opioid epidemic touches individuals, families and businesses throughout our nation, and so many are looking for ways to combat its devastating effects,” NCCI President and CEO Bill Donnell said. “We developed the On Opioids series as part of our effort to provide stakeholders timely insights on industry trends and concerns.”
The first article features interviews with doctors about factors contributing to the national opioid epidemic, its damage to industry, alternative treatment options, and regulations to help deter misuse.
NCCI is rolling out the series on its website, ncci.com, and plans a session on the topic during its Annual Issues Symposium 2018, scheduled for May 16—18.
John Thrasher to unveil Jim Moran Building
On Tuesday, Florida State University President John Thrasher, former Speaker of the Florida House and former state Senator, will lead a ribbon cutting celebration of the new Jim Moran Building.
The 20,000-square-foot structure will house the new Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship and Institute for For Global Entrepreneurship — made possible by a record $100-million donation from the Jim Moran Foundation.
To inspire future students, the interior of the 19th-century, Monroe Street building is decorated with the story of automotive business legend Jim Moran.
Open house is set to begin at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at 111 S. Monroe Street.
According to an FSU news release, speakers will include President Thrasher; Professor Susan Fiorito, founding director of the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship; Randy Blass, executive director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship; and M. Hays Layerd, creative director at Architects Lewis + Whitlock.
Legal clinic for vets opens
FSU’s College of Law has created a Veterans Legal Clinic to provide free legal services to veterans and allow students to earn six credit hours for participating. Students meet with veterans and their families to fix legal problems or offer referrals.
Lawmakers passed the proposal last year and dedicated $250,000 for the clinic to launch at FSU’s College of Law in January 2018.
Demand for assistance has exploded during the first few months of operation, confirming the essential need for such services, and reaction from veterans and students has been positive.
Second-year law student Chandler McCoy said the clinic is the kind of outside-the-classroom opportunity that has helped make her FSU experience special: “We do a lot of driver’s license issues, divorces and custody matters, so you’re talking with real people with real issues who need help right now.”
College of Law professor Jennifer LaVia organized the course last fall and became the first director of the Veterans Legal Clinic in January. The program’s first class enrolled seven students — two of whom are veterans themselves.
“It has been so inspirational to see our students go way above and beyond what’s expected,” said LaVia, a former defense and appellate lawyer who started teaching at FSU in 2002. “The students in my class are excited to do something that helps real people.”
FSU grad and Dollar Tree exec kicks in half-million dollar gift
Bob Sasser, a 1973 marketing graduate, has matched a $500,000 gift to Florida State from Dollar Tree Inc., the company he led as chief executive officer and president before recently becoming executive chairman, the university said this week.
The match goes to the College of Business and establishes a Bob Sasser professor of Marketing position.
Sasser rose through the ranks to become CEO of Dollar Tree Inc. He joined the Chesapeake, Virginia-based Dollar Tree Stores as chief operating officer in 1999, became president in 2001 and was named president and CEO in 2004.
Sasser and his wife kick-started the college’s building campaign in 2012 with a gift of $1 million. When they made their gift, they challenged fellow alumni to support the college’s efforts to grow, prosper and strengthen the educational experience for generations of Florida State business students to come.
“Pam (his wife) and I are pleased to be in a position to give back to the College of Business, and we are especially happy we can be part of the school’s efforts to give students a superb education,” Sasser said.
Tally utility aces PSC eval
The City of Tallahassee’s natural gas utility aced its recent safety evaluation by the Florida Public Service Commission.
The two-week-long PSC eval found the utility not only met, but exceeded expectations in categories grading its operation and maintenance plan, emergency operation plan and damage prevention plan, among others.
Additionally, everything came up roses in field evaluations of the utility’s programs, such as the Critical Valve Maintenance Program, Leak Survey Program and New Construction Program.
The PSC evaluation follows another recent win for the utility — being awarded a “Gold Level System Operational Achievement Recognition” by the American Public Gas Association, its second time winning the association’s top-level seal of approval.
Now for this week’s edition of Capitol Directions:
