Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–April 15

 

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Florida tax commission rejects plan to limit government spending

Despite hours of testimony from home and business owners angry about their hefty property tax bills, Florida’s powerful tax commission on Monday rejected a plan to impose spending caps on government or require a super majority vote if elected officials want to levy new taxes.

Commission rejects limiting Florida tax revenues

Proposal paving way for Internet sales tax gets OK

A powerful tax commission Monday rejected a proposal to limit state and local tax revenues.

Sales tax increase legislation may face tough fight

The defeated proposal to limit government spending wasn’t the only tax-related item raising questions at the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission meeting Monday.

Vote on tax cut may not happen

A proposal to swap a 25 percent cut in property taxes for higher sales taxes is facing renewed criticism that could jeopardize a planned statewide vote in November.

Options shrink for property tax reform in Florida

Just last month it looked as if Florida voters could have two choices for reforming the property tax system in November. Now, it’s possible they could have none.

Update: Tax-swap proposal hearing scheduled for Friday

The chairman of the Senate’s tax-writing committee told a powerful state commission on taxation today that he will hold hearings Friday on its proposal to swap a sales-tax increase for property tax reductions.

Approved tax and budget ballot proposals at a glance

The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has approved the following proposed state constitutional amendments for the Nov. 4 ballot but will take a final vote April 24-25 after the measures go through its Style and Drafting Committee:

Floridians to see deepest cuts in government services in decades

As House and Senate leaders begin negotiating a new state budget, one thing is clear: Floridians will see the deepest cuts in government services in decades.

MERRETT STIERHEIM: Program weakens state’s public education system

As superintendent of the Miami-Dade Public Schools from 2001 to 2004, I experienced the effects of the Corporate Scholarship sham directly.

State tax lag slaps county harder

The state just isn’t collecting as much in sales, telecommunications and cigarette taxes as it had projected. And it’s going to cost government $14 million.

Schools may lose up to 400 jobs

The number of jobs that Manatee County school administrators now project are in jeopardy is roughly double an earlier estimate.

Scientists oppose Academic Freedom Act

‘Evilution’ bill seen as a smokescreen and a magnet for lawsuits

Calling a bill that would introduce theories other than evolution into the classroom “evilution” and a magnet for lawsuits, a group of scientists and other opponents rallied against the legislation on Monday.

Task force may probe FCAT `hysteria’

School Board members are considering a new measure to quell stress over high-stakes testing like the FCAT.

The Miami-Dade school district may convene a task force to look at the effects of high-stakes test preparation on the classroom — and on students themselves.

EDITORIAL: Lawmakers can send a positive message with FRAG funding for college students

Signal stability on FRAG funds

It’s a tight budget year, and every dollar counts.

JEB BUSH: Opponents were wrong about impact of vouchers

A quality education can change a life. It can lift a child out of poverty and provide young people with the skills to achieve their dreams.

Pinellas County School Board races draw a crowd

For the second consecutive election cycle, the competition for seats on the Pinellas County School Board is attracting a crowd.

 

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