Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–April 20

 

 

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Florida House and Senate get beyond impasse in budget negotiations

Negotiations on a new state budget picked up steam Monday as legislators sought common ground in hopes of bringing the 2010 session to a smooth conclusion late next week.

• Senate concessions gets legislature’s budget negotiators back on schedule
• Legislature focuses on reviving budget talks, moving bills
• State employees, retirees worry about being nickel-and-dimed
• State workers score budget victory
• State workers, retirees worry as budget negotiations begin

 

House passes Indian gaming bill, sends to governor

Lawmakers signed off on a 20-year deal with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida on Monday that guarantees the state roughly $1.3 billion in the next five years.

The bill (SB 622) now goes to Gov. Charlie Crist, an enthusiastic proponent who has already said he’d sign it.

 

Waterfront proposal at crossroads

The Legislature is supposed to write rules this year to implement a 2008 constitutional amendment giving tax breaks to ”working waterfronts.”

 

Editorial:  Crist should sign SB 4 education bill

Gov. Charlie Crist has another education bill on his desk, SB 4, and this is one he should sign.

• Editorial:  Teacher pay reform efforts should continue, not end, after veto
• Teacher pay veto overshadows other Florida education bills
• Educators weigh future after Crist’s veto of teacher pay bill
• Column:  What the Legislature should learn from Crist’s veto
• Teachers’ protests taught invaluable lessons

 

Crist’s veto renews Senate campaign

The decision on the recent teacher-pay bill has pumped new life into his campaign.

• Aftermath of Bill 6 veto raises questions about Crist
• Crist plans stops in Tampa, St. Petersburg
• Gov. Crist gets hero’s welcome at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High
• Crist basks in teachers’ admiration as he campaigns on SB6 veto
• Crist’s campaign asks teachers to change party affiliation

 

Backlash on Senate Bill 6 could hit Republicans in fall

Republican lawmakers who rammed a teacher tenure bill through the Legislature this session hoped for an education revolution but instead unleashed a revolt – a grass roots movement of parents and teachers armed with a thorny election year issue that could dog politicians to the polls.

 

Florida Democrats feel specter of former Gov. Jeb Bush

With lame-duck Republican Gov. Charlie Crist weighing an independent bid for the U.S. Senate, Democrats are more convinced than ever a shadow captain is guiding the ship of state.

 

Parents, teachers question Broward school officials about budget cuts

Parents, teachers and students crowded School Board chambers Monday night, peppering Superintendent James Notter and staff with questions about a budget shortfall the district predicts could reach $130 million next school year.

 

Lobby lawmakers on budget, Broward schools officials urge worried crowd

Worried parents and teachers peppered Broward school district officials with budget questions Monday night but got few answers to ease their concerns, particularly about likely cuts arts programs at elementary schools.

 

Orange schools’ 4-day week cuts off summer day care on Fridays

Working parents scramble to find alternatives to programs that serve about 4,000 students

Orange County school leaders’ decision to save money with a four-day workweek this summer will cut off day care on Fridays for hundreds of students who attend summer programs run by schools.

 

Anti-corruption bill advances in Senate

Seeking to stymie public officials who use their positions for financial gain, Broward State Attorney Mike Satz appeared Monday before a Senate committee to support tougher state corruption laws.

 

Schools recruiting next generation of principals

For years, school district training programs focused on helping teachers do better. But now on the cusp of a national principal shortage, school systems — including Sarasota and Manatee — are putting more resources into programs to recruit, train and retain school leaders.

 

Credit card fraud, misuse found at 5 Florida universities

A Florida International University professor used a school credit card to buy at least $5,000 worth of personal items, including an MP3 player, a wireless reading device and a membership with United Airlines’ Red Carpet club.

 

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