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Legislative forum covers wide spectrum of issues

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Dozens of speakers signed up to draw attention to topics they think are important at Pasco County’s annual legislative delegation meeting.

The topics ranged from fracking to Medicaid; the opioid epidemic to immigration; medical marijuana to homelessness; and, scores of budget requests.

Some requests were for items vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott last year.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, for instance, asked legislators to renew his request for $4.3 million for the Thomas Varnadoe Forensic Center for Education and Research.

From left: State Sen. Tom Lee, Rep. Richard Corcoran, Rep. Danny Burgess, Sen. Wilton Simpson and Rep. Amber Mariano
attend the Pasco County legislative delegation’s annual meeting to hear from local constituents about issues they’d like lawmakers to address during the 2018 legislative session. (Kathy Steele)

The Adam Kennedy Forensics Field, also known as a “body farm,” opened in May on land next to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41. The facility is the seventh of its type in the nation.

Construction money is needed for the indoor forensic center. The complex is planned jointly with the sheriff’s office, Pasco County, Pasco-Hernando State College, and the University of South Florida’s Institute for Forensics and Applied Science.

“It is a critical piece for us,” Nocco said.

The sheriff also noted that there already are international inquiries regarding training opportunities.

The city of Zephyrhills also had a big-ticket request. It’s asking for $3.25 million to help build the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center.

The planned tennis center includes eight soft courts, two hard courts and nine pickle ball courts.

The city of Zephyrhills already has hired Pennsylvania-based Tennis P.R.O. LLC to operate and manage the complex.

A pro shop, a multipurpose community room and two offices also are planned.

“It’s gaining a lot of momentum,” said Todd Vande Berg, the city’s planning director. “It will bring in players from around the world, and Zephyrhills really will be a destination in the sports arena.”

The complex is named for Vande Berg’s daughter, a tennis scholarship student at University of South Carolina, who died in a car accident.

The annual legislative delegation meeting is a ritual that gives lawmakers a chance to find out what is on the minds of their constituents for the coming legislative year.

This year’s session was on Nov. 27 at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts, at Wesley Chapel High School.

More than 60 people signed up, with each allotted three minutes to address the legislators, who were seated at a table on the arts center’s stage.

Rep. Danny Burgess, the delegation’s chairman; Rep. Amber Mariano; and Sen. Wilton Simpson attended the entire meeting. Sen. Tom Lee and Rep. Richard Corcoran attended portions of the meeting. Sen. Jack Latvala was absent.

Afterward Burgess described the meeting as a fact-gathering session to help legislators deliberate on issues during the 2018 legislative session in Tallahassee.

“It’s important — with a state this big and statute books so voluminous —it’s impossible to know every issue,” Burgess said.

He also said people’s presence and participation are important.

“It’s a truly collaborative thing,” he said, noting, lawmakers will have more information “because people from our areas decided to take the time to come here.”

Along those lines, Debra Golinski asked lawmakers to provide funding for screening programs at Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation Inc.

She said about $750,000 is needed for a program to help hearing-impaired children, ages 3 to 6 years, “begin to listen and talk.”

Golinksi also asked legislators to support a bill to provide hearing aids for children.

Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, said the college is expanding rapidly and needs about $3.7 million in additional funding for operations.

He said school enrollment has increased from about 1,800 three years ago to about 4,000 students now.

“The growth there has really been phenomenal. We really, really need the dollars,” Beard said.

Other agencies and nonprofits seeking state funds included the Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc., the Reach program with Pasco’s PACE Center for Girls, and the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP.

Hot button political issues also came up.

James Brown, of the nonprofit Farmworkers Self Help, sought support for “DACA kids”, the children who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The federal program could be ended soon, leaving these children subject to deportation. They and their families harvested crops for years, Brown said.

“They did nothing more than work hard. We need to give these longtime families a place in the county. We’re not asking for budgetary concerns. We’re just asking for your compassion,” Brown said.

Several people also spoke on fracking, asking legislators to ban the practice in Florida.

Fracking is a process for pumping chemically treated high pressure water into a drilled pipeline to break through rock formations to tap into oil or natural gas reserves.

“Our message is simple,” said Brooke Errett, of Food & Water Watch. “Fracking doesn’t make sense.”

Legislators also got updates on initiatives under review at the federal level by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

His aide, Summer Robertson, told them that Bilirakis is seeking

a balanced approach toward addressing the opioid crisis.

He wants an approach that helps people with opioid addiction but still gives people “with legitimate pain” access to medications, Robertson said.

Published December 6, 2017

A chance to talk with Pasco’s state legislators

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Get ready to quiz members of the Pasco County legislative delegation, or make a plea for a favorite cause or program.

Pasco legislators will have their annual pre-session public meeting on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Sunlake High School Gymnasium, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The annual get-together is an opportunity for residents, elected officials, representatives of city and county governments, and civic organizations to speak directly to their legislators prior to the start of the 2018 legislative session.

Pasco’s delegation includes Representatives Danny Burgess, Amber Mariano and Richard Corcoran (past Speaker of the House); and, Senators Wilton Simpson, Jack Latvala and Tom Lee.

Public testimony is welcome. Anyone wishing to address the delegation needs to complete a speaker request form. The form is available at bit.ly/2gVEmxW.

Completed requests received by 5 p.m., Sept. 11 will be considered for the agenda. Additional speaker request forms will be available at the meeting.

However, speaker request forms received after the deadline may be considered, if time is available on the agenda.

All speakers, if possible, should email materials and handouts to Jonathan Till at .

For information, also contact Till at (813) 780-0667.

Published August 30, 2017

Homestead exemption could increase

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A property tax savings could be on its way to Florida homeowners, if a statewide referendum in 2018 boosts homestead exemptions to a total of $75,000.

But, what could be tax relief to homeowners could pose financial challenges for local governments.

State Sen. Tom Lee

If approved, homeowners can add another $25,000 to the existing standard of $50,000 (approved by voters in 2008) for homestead exemption on a primary residence. The added bonus would take effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

Statewide estimates suggest that property tax collections could drop between $654 million and $700 million annually.

Locally, Pasco County could lose as much as $13 million, according to Pasco County Property Appraiser Gary Joiner.

About 100,000 of the county’s more than 260,000 parcels have a homestead exemption. Of those, about 60,000 would qualify for the increased exemption, he said.

“I don’t think that there is any doubt it’s going to pass,” Joiner said. “It’s going to be tough for the county and the commissioners to decide what they are going to have to do.”

The impact of lost revenues would be felt starting in 2019.

To close financial holes in budgets, other revenue sources could be sought, including sales taxes, increased millage rates and user fees. Or, governments may have to reduce staff or cut services.

Homeowners currently can receive a standard homestead exemption on the first $25,000 of assessed value of their primary residence. Another $25,000 can be deducted from assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000.

Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran

The proposed exemption increases the exemption on all taxes, other than school district taxes, by another $25,000 on assessed value greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000.

As an example, a house valued at $100,000 would be taxed as if it were worth $25,000. A $200,000 house would be taxed at an assessed value of $125,000.

State Rep. Richard Corcoran of Land O’ Lakes, who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and State Sen. Tom Lee of Brandon, pushed for the referendum and the larger exemption.

In a news release, Corcoran described the vote as a “big win for all Floridians” and “one of, if not the largest, tax cut in the history of Florida at $645 million.”

It allows families to pay bills and make payments on cars, health care and day care, according to Corcoran’s statement.

State Rep. Amber Mariano, State Rep. Danny Burgess and State Sen. Wilton Simpson voted for the referendum.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, of Clearwater, was the only member of the Tampa Bay delegation to vote no.

Published May 10, 2017

Education a key theme for upcoming session

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Education was a recurring theme among speakers at a recent meeting held by the Pasco County Legislative Delegation before this year’s annual session.

Local citizens and civic leaders voiced their concerns on this hot-button issue during a Jan. 18 gathering at Sunlake High School, with six local representatives to the state Legislature.

Dozens of interest groups and local government leaders also talked to legislators about their priorities for the legislative delegation.

The Pasco County Legislative Delegation had a pre-legislative session on Jan. 18 at Sunlake High School. From left, on the dais, are Richard Corcoran, incoming Speaker of the House for the Florida House of Representatives, and State Reps. Tom Ley, Danny Burgess, State Sen. Wilton Simpson, State Rep. Amber Mariano, and State Sen. Jack Latvala.
(Kevin Weiss)

Rising school enrollment and additional education funding were just two topics raised during the four-hour meeting with State Sens. Wilton Simpson and Jack Latvala, incoming Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, and State Reps. Tom Ley, Danny Burgess and Amber Mariano.

Spencer Pylant, speaking on behalf of Superintendent Kurt Browning for the Pasco County School District, talked to the delegates about concerns increasing school enrollments and the lack of funding to provide adequate school capacity.

“It’s fitting the delegation is meeting at this school, because it rests in one of the highest-growing segments of Pasco County,” Pylant said.

“After opening 10 years ago, it is at 114 percent capacity; this additional growth demands additional capacity,” he said.

Pylant said 1,707 new students chose Pasco schools in the 2016-2017 school year.

That’s only a preview of things to come, he added.

“We expect approximately 20,000 new students in 10 years, based on our projections,” he said.

School board members and district officials are concerned that current funding sources cannot match the growing demand.

He presented two suggestions:

  • Restore the authority of the school boards to levy—by simple majority vote — up to 2.0 mills for capital purposes.
  • Provide Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding for school construction.

“A balanced capital funding stream is necessary to provide a proper learning environment for our students and families,” Pylant said.

He also suggested some other changes:

  • More flexibility regarding assessments
  • Elimination of End-of-Course exams not required for graduation
  • Authorization of the use of a nationally recognized assessment (ACT or SAT)
  • Letting school districts decide when to administer personnel evaluations

“These recommendations reduce quantity and increase the quality of student assessments, while ensuring simple, meaningful accountability,” he said.

Later on, Kenny Blankenship, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, pleaded with delegates to improve public schools by providing “additional funding” and “more support for teachers” in the county.

Education was a recurring topic during the four-hour delegation, which featured several hundred attendees. ‘I think this is one of the best turnouts we’ve ever had at a delegation meeting,’ said State Rep. Danny Burgess.

Blankenship, a 20-year teaching veteran, endorsed “much-needed” school health centers, small class sizes and “adequate compensation” for teachers.

“We need your help to work with us to improve our public schools, because public education benefits everyone,” Blankenship said.

Jessica Hooper, representing Project Lead The Way, advocated for mandatory computer science education in schools, suggesting, “kids will be more prepared for the 21st century workplace.”

Improvement is needed in this arena, Hooper said. “Unfortunately, there are not enough offerings. You would think that Florida — being the hub of computer science technology employers — would need more (offerings) in this area in the education space.”

Pasco-Hernando State College President Timothy Beard also asked state legislators to increase funding for facilities.

Specifically, he requested $2.5 million in PECO funding for the West campus in New Port Richey.

He also asked for $10 million for an education performance arts center, which would be built on the campus of Cypress Creek Middle/High School.

Saint Leo University representatives lobbied for continued funding of Bright Futures scholarships, along with the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), which provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students attending an eligible private, nonprofit Florida college or university.

The Florida Legislature kicks off the 2017 session on March 7.

Published January 25, 2017

Pasco wants more state funding

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Pasco County commissioners have approved a list of local priorities for the 2017 legislative session, seeking to add state funds to the county’s coffers.

Commissioners want more state money for road construction, storm water improvements, efforts to fight blight and help the homeless population, and other projects.

The list of county priorities is expected to be presented to the local legislative delegation before the next session begins on March 7.

Members of the public also will have a chance to let the delegation know their priorities at a delegation meeting on Jan. 18 at Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes.

Members of Pasco County’s legislative delegation are Rep. Richard Corcoran, who will serve as speaker of the house; Rep. Amber Mariano; Rep. Danny Burgess; Sen. Wilton Simpson; Sen. Jack Latvala; and, Sen. Tom Lee.

The local delegation meeting is held each year before the Florida Legislature convenes. Committee meetings in advance of the 2017 session began in early December.

About 100 people attended last year’s delegation meeting, with individuals and organizations pitching for projects or legislative bills.

The Pasco County Commission’s priority list includes:

  • $15 million in state money for the Interstate 75 at Overpass Road/New Interstate Interchange
  • $1 million for a “navigation center” for the homeless population, with a focus on shelter, jobs and education
  • $2.5 million for stormwater mitigation through culvert repairs
  • $5 million revolving loan for the Pasco Prosperity Program to help small business owners in blighted areas along corridors such as U.S. 19, U.S. 41 and U.S. 301.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the prosperity program can help business owners spruce up their properties with upgraded signage, landscaping or “whatever it takes.”

Owners sometimes don’t have the funds to make improvements to their businesses, Starkey said. “I’m trying to give the small business owner a leg up. I see this as a key. I hope we can get this done,” she said.
Requests that make it into the state’s budget will be scrutinized by Gov. Rick Scott, who can use his line item veto to slash specific projects.

Last year, Scott cut about $256 million in local requests statewide from a budget of about $82 billion. Pasco had winners and losers.

Among the winners was the STEM aeronautics academy at Sunlake High School and other locations, with $750,000 in state funds; and, the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, with $450,000. The county also got $400,000 for a storm water project.

But, Scott also eliminated an $11 million request for a proposed performing arts center at Pasco-Hernando State College.

Those who lobby on behalf of Pasco budget requests are likely to face challenges.

Estimates for the next state budget show a potential shortfall of about $3 billion.

“It’s going to be tough this year,” predicted Ralph Lair, the county’s governmental affairs officer.

What: Legislative delegation meeting, open to the public
When: Jan. 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Signup: If you want to speak at the meeting, complete an e-form by following the link – http://bit.ly/2gVEmxW. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 16.

Revised Jan. 4, 2017

Election results defy pollsters and pundits

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Donald J. Trump is next president

Pasco County voters joined the nation in selecting Donald J. Trump as the United States’ next president in the 2016 general election, while a majority of Hillsborough County voters selected Hillary Rodham Clinton, who had sought to become America’s first female president.

At Precinct 73, Karen Hanzel, a resident of Lexington Oaks , proudly displays a Trump/Pence sign as voters made their way to the polls. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
At Precinct 73, Karen Hanzel, a resident of Lexington Oaks , proudly displays a Trump/Pence sign as voters made their way to the polls.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Scores of voters took advantage of early voting, but hordes turned out on Nov. 8, eager to cast their ballot on Election Day.

They offered different points of view — in an election widely characterized as being historic, and divisive.

At the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills, 57-year-old voter Chris Corporra said he voted for Trump because he’s a political outsider.

Corporra said he agrees with many of Trump’s stances.

“You hire a politician, and you get political results. You get somebody on the outside, and they’ll take care of it,” Corporra said. “Trump isn’t the most polished…but, you know exactly where you stand with him.”

As Corporra drove around Zephyrhills before Election Day, he said he noticed long lines at several early voting locations. “They were out in droves. The silent majority is coming out in force.”

Kody Roberts, a registered Republican, also voted in Zephyrhills. She supported Jill Stein.

At Precinct 70, a long line forms and is reflected in a puddle of water left behind by the irrigation system early Tuesday morning.
At Precinct 70, a long line forms and is reflected in a puddle of water left behind by the irrigation system early Tuesday morning.

“I like what she stands for; I like her objectives,” the 22-year-old Roberts said. “I can’t agree with some of Trump’s beliefs, and I definitely cannot agree with some of Hillary’s, so I was just like, ‘You know what, I’m going to go third-party this time.’”

Zephyrhills resident Eric Pinson favored Trump mainly because of his platform to establish immigration controls. Pinson also expressed concern about what could happen to his Second Amendment rights, under a Clinton administration.

Meanwhile, at The Groves, Land O’ Lakes resident Jill Shelton stood in a long line to cast her vote. She brought her children, Lucy, 5, Caroline, 8, and Nicholas, 10.

“It’s history,” Shelton said, explaining why she wanted them to be there as she voted for Clinton, the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.

“This is a big moment,” Shelton said.

She did note, however, that her support for Clinton was not absolute: “I have some questions about trustworthiness for her,” she said. But, she added: “I feel Donald Trump is not fit to be our president. I think he is beyond ridiculous.”

Casey Otto, 36, brought his 4-year-old daughter, Indie, to the Lutz Community Center on Election Day. He even dressed her in red, white and blue to mark the occasion. He supported Gary Johnson. ‘I tend to be Libertarian — fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He’s most in line with my line of thinking. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Casey Otto, 36, brought his 4-year-old daughter, Indie, to the Lutz Community Center on Election Day. He even dressed her in red, white and blue to mark the occasion. He supported Gary Johnson. ‘I tend to be Libertarian — fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He’s most in line with my line of thinking.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Fifty-eight-year-old Gordon Brown, who cast his vote at the Lutz Community Center, thinks that Clinton is the one unfit to be president.

Brown characterized Clinton as “morally bankrupt, criminally corrupt and totally untrustworthy.

“And, those are her good qualities,” he added.

Casey Otto, 36, who brought his 4-year-old daughter, Indie, with him to cast his ballot, also voted at the Lutz Community Center.

He dressed his little girl in red, white and blue to mark the occasion.

Otto supported Gary Johnson. “I tend to be Libertarian — fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He’s most in line with my line of thinking,” Otto said.

Seventy-eight-year-old Mary Gaulden, of Land O’ Lakes, sat on a stool near the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, proudly holding a Trump sign. She wanted to demonstrate her support to passing motorists and people streaming in to vote.

“I think America is at a crossroads,” Gaulden said. “I really want Donald Trump to win the presidency.”

She criticized President Barack Obama.

“Our president is not being the Commander-in-Chief that he needs to be. Our military is weakened,” said Gaulden, who arrived at the polling place at 10 a.m., and was still there in the late afternoon.

Throughout the day, she said motorists reacted to her sign.

Some honked as they drove past.

“I’ve got a thumb’s up; a thumb’s down; a bird of paradise,” Gaulden said.

Some hollered “No,” at her. Others stopped and told her they voted for Trump.

One passerby even pretended to be taking aim — with an imaginary gun — to shoot at her, she said.

Her response?

“I just waved and smiled,” Gaulden said.

No matter where they stood, voters wanted their voice to be heard.

Pasco County boasted a 72.8 percent voter turnout, with 244,620 of its 336,037 registered voters casting ballots. Turnout was slightly lower in Hillsborough County, where 606,224 of the county’s 849,843 registered voters cast ballots, or 71.3 percent.

While the presidential election clearly took center stage, voters decided many other important races and issues.

Voters gave U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Republican in District 12, another term in Congress. He defeated Robert Matthew Tager.

A majority of Pasco and Hillsborough voters concurred with other Florida voters to send Marco Rubio back to Washington for another term in the U.S. Senate. He defeated Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy.

In state races, State Sen. Jack Latvala retained his seat in the Legislature, and Amber Mariano defeated Amanda Murphy in the race for State House District 36.

Pasco County Results:

  • Paula O’Neill defeated Roberta Cutting for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
  • Gary Joiner defeated Jon Sidney Larkin for Property Appraiser.
  • Ron Oakley defeated Dimitri A. Delgado for District 1 on the Pasco County Commission.
  • Kathryn Starkey defeated Barry Horvath for District 3 on the Pasco County Commission.
  • Jack Mariano defeated write-in opponents for District 5 on the Pasco County Commission.

Hillsborough County Results:

  • Andrew Warren defeated Mark Ober for State Attorney, in the 13th judicial circuit.
  • Shawn Harrison defeated Lisa Montelione for District 63 in the State House.
  • Pat Frank defeated Eric Seidel for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
  • Sandra Murman defeated Jeff Zampitella for District 1 of the Hillsborough County Commission.
  • Pat Kemp defeated Tim Schock for District 6 of the Hillsborough County Commission.
  • Bob Henriquez defeated Todd Donovan Jones for Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.
  • Tamara Shamburger defeated Joe Jordan Robinson for District 5 of the Hillsborough County School Board.
  • Lynn Gray defeated Cathy James for District 7 of the Hillsborough County School Board (Pending a recount).

Regarding the four Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, a majority of Pasco and

Hillsborough voters weighing in on those issues agreed with the majority of voters across the state to decide the outcomes.

They voted down an amendment relating to solar power.

They approved amendments regarding medical marijuana, a tax exemption for totally and permanently disabled first responders, and a homestead tax exemption for certain senior, low-income and long-term residents.

—Laker/Lutz News staff writers Kathy Steele and Kevin Weiss contributed to this report.

Published November 16, 2016

Weatherford makes PHSC’s hall of fame

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Will Weatherford, the former Speaker of the House of the Florida Legislature, was inducted into Pasco-Hernando State College’s Legislative Hall of Fame on Sept. 20.

The ceremony was at the state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., according to a news release from the college.

From left, Pasco-Hernando State College Trustees Ardian Zika, Morris Porton, and Marilyn Pearson-Adams, former Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, PHSC President Tim Beard, PHSC trustee Robin Schneider and PHSC Board Chair Ed Blommel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
From left, Pasco-Hernando State College Trustees Ardian Zika, Morris Porton, and Marilyn Pearson-Adams, former Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, PHSC President Tim Beard, PHSC trustee Robin Schneider and PHSC Board Chair Ed Blommel.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Ed Blommel, chairman of PHSC’s District Board of Trustees, officiated over the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a plaque to be displayed in perpetuity in the Legislative Hall of Fame.

Weatherford received an identical plaque.

“We recognize Will Weatherford, who has proved to be an unwavering champion for PHSC,” Blommel said, according to the release.

“Speaker Weatherford assisted the college in getting the funding for the construction of the beautiful Porter Campus ($52.2 million), including fighting off a veto and legislative resistance to get the final installment after construction was underway and nearly complete,” he added.

Timothy Beard, the college’s president, also recognized the former speaker’s efforts to provide equity in funding for the Florida College System, leading to a $7.7 million funding increase for the college and for securing more support for PHSC from the State Board of Education.

A number of special guests were at the event, including Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega, Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, Pasco County School Board Member Alan Altman, Bill and J.D. Porter and Quinn Porter-Miller.

Weatherford’s induction makes him the second member of the Legislative Hall of Fame, which is a new tradition at PHSC. The honor recognizes legislators for supporting the college and higher education opportunities for their constituents.

Sen. Jack Latvala, who was inducted in July, was the first to receive the honor.

Weatherford and Latvala are both members of the inaugural class of 2016.

Published October 5, 2016

Apparently, we think Pasco is on the right track

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With November’s quadrennial Election Day looming ever larger on our calendars, the importance of what Americans tell pollsters about the condition of the country swells almost by the moment.

Indeed, it scarcely matters just now, in the middle of July 2016, whether you’re with Hillary or you’re aboard the Trump train, or even if you’re checking out the shrewd looniness of Libertarian Gary Johnson. What genuinely matters, because it will guide your inspection of our sorry gaggle of presidential contenders, is what you think about the direction the country is headed.

It’s called the “right track/wrong track” poll, and it’s supposed to reveal the electorate’s general mood — which, at the moment, isn’t pretty. Lately, the Real Clear Politics average favors “wrong track” by a whopping 65.1 percent. And, the trend is in the direction of a widening, worsening gap.

Obviously, a poll that provides only a this-or-that option cannot effectively identify what might prompt someone to choose one track over the other. Most likely — given the stubborn, roughly 50-50 split within American politics — it’s even-money your reasons for thinking we’re on the wrong track are different from your neighbor’s, or mine.

But, the mere fact that two-thirds of us find our direction disturbing reinforces the notion that whatever November brings, the outcome will reflect the nation’s desire for some sort of change.

You know, unless, by delivering another round of division and stalemate, it doesn’t.

Anyway, it is against that stormy backdrop that an utterly counterintuitive, if not downright weird, thing happened recently in Pasco County. The date for candidate qualifying came and went a few weeks ago, leaving in its wake a robust — if intensely localized — argument against the dug-in disgruntlement that plagues America.

An even dozen Pasco-linked candidates, officeholders and first-time office-seekers alike, won election without opposition: a congressman, four constitutional officers, two school board members and five of six members of Pasco’s state legislative delegation. Only Pinellas-based Jack Latvala, a Republican state senator, will see his name on a ballot, and that’s only because a couple of write-in candidates signed up.

Even so, there will be local tussles, and they could be lively.

All three county commission seats will be contested. The property appraiser’s job, opened by Mike Wells’ retirement, lured two Republicans (including District 1 County Commissioner Ted Schrader) and a Democrat. County Clerk and Comptroller Paula O’Neil has drawn a lightly financed return challenger.

And, as they always are, both Mosquito Control Board races will be contested — which, given the pest-borne Zika virus threat, will require our particular attention this year.

Still, not counting the County Court judge’s election and assorted hyper-local CDD races, that’s seven contests out of a possible 19 in a year portrayed as the most contentious in living memory.

Our comparatively peaceful election landscape figures, at least in part, from Pasco’s increasingly rightward tilt. As of late last week, Republicans, who’ve held a registration plurality in the county for 17 years, owned a record 21,000-voter edge over Democrats.

Not unexpectedly, then, the GOP has a virtual lockdown in Pasco; New Port Richey-based Democratic state Rep. Amanda Murphy, also re-elected without opposition, is the lone exception. Pasco hasn’t elected a Democrat running countywide since Michael Cox bumped former pal Steve Simon off the county commission in a memorable revenge match in 2006.

Still, as occasional Democratic successes suggest, what recently prevailed here isn’t entirely about party advantages. Instead, it seems easily as likely what is afoot is a conviction among Pasco voters that their county, and to the extent they can influence it, their state, are on the right track.

That sense of well-being would naturally flow to their representatives. And why not?

In Tallahassee, a rising Speaker of the House (Richard Corcoran) and a probable Senate president (Wilton Simpson) give Pasco influence disproportionate to its size. And Rep. Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, carries an air of earnest concern for his constituents.

Back home, a unifying theme of openness, accessibility, accountability and citizen-service runs through all Pasco’s constitutional offices, and their elected chiefs deserve a mention: Sheriff Chris Nocco, Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley, Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, Tax Collector Mike Fasano, as well as the aforementioned O’Neil and Wells.
No, these acknowledgements aren’t intended to represent the views of all Pasco voters, just as right-track/wrong-track polls don’t attempt to ascertain what bugs those who are unhappy. But, if anywhere close to even 40 percent of us were genuinely upset with those who were re-elected by acclamation last month, you can bet they would have drawn some sort of organized resistance.

After all, if the presidential primaries taught us anything, it is the year for electoral arson. Come the general, the national friction may yet spark a local fire, but it will pass, and those who look after our day-to-day concerns will remain, unsinged.

Because that, evidently, is just how we like it.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

Published July 13, 2016