Scott Strikes Millions from Florida Budget GARY FINEOUT Governor’S Handling Associated Press of the Budget Was Also in Contrast TALLAHASSEE to Past Years
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GATORS WIN GAME 1 OF WORLD SERIES, SPORTS B1 LEESBURG, FLORIDA Tuesday, June 3, 2014 www.dailycommercial.com MISSING GIRL: Police identify body of HIGHWAY SPEEDS: Bill lifting autistic girl who disappeared in Leesburg, A3 limits won’t become law, A2 Scott strikes millions from Florida budget GARY FINEOUT governor’s handling Associated Press of the budget was also in contrast TALLAHASSEE to past years. He — Florida Gov. Rick signed the budget Scott, who came privately with no into office prom- SCOTT public fanfare like ising to tame gov- during his first year ernment spending, when he was surrounded signed into law on Monday by school children at an a record $77 billion budget event held in an outdoor for the coming year. plaza at a Central Florida Scott not only approved retirement community. the new budget, but he Scott’s low key han- also used a light touch on dling of the budget comes HALIFAX MEDIA GROUP FILE PHOTO his budget vetoes during during a tough re-election Swimmers, sun bathers and campers enjoyed the day at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest his fourth year in office. campaign where Demo- The nearly $69 million in crats plan to constantly line-item vetoes — which criticize the governor’s re- included money for a Jack- cord — including his de- Funding drought upsets sonville dog park and a Mi- cision in his first year to ami observation tower — recommend deep cuts to marked the lowest total education. during his term. During a campaign springs supporters The Republican SEE BUDGET | A2 LLOYD DUNKELBERGER the Tamiami Trail across South ed by environmental groups Halifax Media Group Florida, improving water flow as reasons for supporting in the Everglades. Amendment 1 on the Novem- lthough Florida lawmak- Local projects survive But springs funding was less ber ballot that would require ers had more than a $1.2 generous, with lawmakers the state to set aside one-third billion surplus to use in A only agreeing to $30 million, of the real estate transaction the new state budget, envi- although Scott had asked for tax each year for conservation governor’s veto pen ronmental groups say the 2014 $55 million. They also rejected funding. The amendment, if LIVI STANFORD | Staff Writer widening project will be Legislature shorted conser- a Senate bill that would have approved by 60 percent of the [email protected] done in three phases: vation efforts in several crit- provided nearly $380 million to voters, is projected to provide Phase one will span from ical areas, including the pro- help protect Florida’s springs. more than $10 billion over the Gov. Rick Scott signed Sunny Court to US 27; tection and restoration of state next two decades. a $77 billion dollar state Land-buying programs, phase two will cover 1.8 springs. “Water and land conserva- budget Monday that in- including the Florida Forever miles, from the Sumter The Everglades, Lake tion in Florida deserves a sta- cludes $1 million to widen initiative, received only County line to Cutoff Okeechobee and related wa- ble, dedicated source of fund- County Road 466A to four $17.5 million in guaranteed Road and phase three terways were the big winners ing,” said Laurie MacDonald, a lanes from U.S. 27 west to funding, although lawmakers will cover 0.8 miles, from in the 2014-15 budget (HB state program director for the the Sumter County line. also agreed to provide an Marguerite Avenue to 5001) that is awaiting a final re- Defenders of Wildlife and chair Once constructed, the additional $40 million if it Sunny Court. view by Gov. Rick Scott. of the Florida Forever coali- road will run past the 987- can be generated through the The project is estimated tion. “This year’s budget is an- acre Pine Ridge Dairy The Everglades-related proj- sale of non-conservation state to cost $25 million. other perfect example of why Tract where The Villages of ects received more than $165 property. Fred Schneider, Lake it is so important for voters to Lake-Sumter Inc. plans a million in funding along with The lack of funding for land County engineer, said the an additional $90 million over conservation and springs pro- say yes on Amendment 1, the 2,038-home development. the next three years to revamp tection is already being cit- SEE SPRINGS | A2 The 3.05-mile 466A SEE PROJECTS | A2 Study shows people fear male-named hurricanes more SETH BORENSTEIN danger, the researchers conclude. that they were slightly more like- AP Science Writer In fact, the two deadliest storms ly to evacuate from an oncoming to make landfall in the U.S. since WASHINGTON — Which storm named Christopher than 1979, when male names were in- Christina, Victor than Victoria, scares you more: Hurricane Vic- troduced, were named Katrina tor or Hurricane Victoria? Peo- Alexander than Alexandra and and Sandy. Danny than Kate. They found fe- ple are slightly less likely to flee The study, which didn’t involve an oncoming storm with a femi- male names less frightening. any experts in meteorology or di- “People are looking for mean- nine name than a masculine one, saster science, is published Mon- a new study finds. ing in any information that day in the Proceedings of the they receive,” said study co-au- But here is Victoria’s secret: National Academy of Sciences. thor Sharon Shavitt, a professor Hurricanes with feminine names Atlantic hurricane season start- of marketing. “The name of the turn out to be deadlier in the ed Sunday. United States than their more In six different experiments, storm is providing people with macho-sounding counterparts, more than 1,000 test subjects told irrelevant information that they AP FILE PHOTO probably because their monikers behavioral scientists at the Uni- actually use.” A pile of sand and debris sits near a house that was make people underestimate their versity of Illinois in Champaign SEE STORMS | A2 damaged by superstorm Sandy in Brant Beach, N.J. INDEX DIVERSIONS A9 OBITUARIES A4 Vol. 138 LEGALS B8 SPORTS B1 TODAY’S WEATHER CLASSIFIED B8 No. 154 50¢ BUSINESS B5 VOICES A11 Detailed forecast 86˚/66˚ COMICS A10 2 sections CROSSWORDS B8 NATION A5 WORLD A7 on page A12. Partly sunny A2 DAILY COMMERCIAL Tuesday, June 3, 2014 Scott slams brakes on higher speed limits FLORIDA JIM SAUNDERS visitors,’’ Scott wrote in a veto mes- heavily debated during the legisla- LOTTERY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA sage. “I strongly respect the opin- tive session that ended May 2. The ion of state and local law enforce- bill passed the House in a 58-56 JUNE 2 Pointing to concerns raised by ment officers who have contacted vote. CASH 3 ...............................................0-7-5 law-enforcement officers, Gov. Rick me to warn about the possible seri- The bill would have allowed — Afternoon ..........................................1-9-4 Scott on Monday vetoed a bill that ous negative consequences should but not required — the state De- could have led to 75 mph speed lim- PLAY 4 .............................................7-3-5-4 this bill become law. While the evi- partment of Transportation to raise Afternoon .......................................8-6-2-2 its on some highways. dence suggests that increased driv- highway speed limits by 5 mph, in- “Although the bill does not man- ing speeds are not the sole cause of cluding going from 70 mph to 75 JUNE 1 date higher speed limits, allow- traffic accidents, they clearly con- mph on some roads. While support- FANTASY 5 ........................... 2-12-22-28-29 ing for the possibility of faster driv- tribute to the increased severity of ers pointed to the department’s role ing on Florida’s roads and highways vehicle crash outcomes in the form in deciding the proper speed limits, could ultimately and unaccept- of needless injuries and deaths.” the bill drew opposition from the ably increase the risk of serious ac- Scott said last month he planned auto club AAA, along with law en- cidents for Florida citizens and to veto the bill (SB 392), which was forcement. THE NEWSPAPER OF CHOICE FOR LAKE AND SUMTER COUNTIES SINCE 1875 The Daily Commercial (ISSN 0896-1042) is published daily for $90.74 per year (plus Florida sales tax) by Halifax Media Group at 212 East Main Street, Leesburg, Florida. Periodicals postage is paid at the USPO, Leesburg, FL. POSTMASTER: Send all address Crisafulli, R-Merritt Is- servation program. With the prospect changes to The Daily Commercial, P.O. Box 490007, Leesburg, FL SPRINGS 34749-0007. All material contained in this edition is property of land, who will become The state Department of voter approval of The Daily Commercial and is protected under the copyright laws of FROM PAGE A1 the next House speak- of Environmental Pro- Amendment 1, Bow- the United States of America. Reproduction is forbidden without er in November, and Sen. tection tried a similar man said it could mean written consent from the publisher. Water and Land Conser- Andy Gardiner, R-Orlan- scheme this year by try- more money for the Ev- MISSED YOUR NEWSPAPER? HOW TO REACH US REDELIVERY NOT AVAILABLE IN vation Amendment, this do, who will be the next ing to sell “surplus” con- erglades, springs resto- ALTOONA OR SUMTER November.” Senate president, that servation lands. But that ration, Florida Forever 365-8200 water policy will be a fo- effort fell through when and other environmental Call 352-787-0600 in Lake In Sumter County: Janet Bowman of The County or 877-702-0600 in 877-702-0600 Nature Conservancy cus of their administra- objections were raised initiatives in the coming Sumter County 6 a.m.