Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–April 8

 

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Commission strikes down use of taxes for tuition vouchers, postpones tax cap

A proposal to countermand the Florida Supreme Court and allow state tax money to be used for tuition vouchers at private schools fell one vote short Friday in a marathon meeting of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.

School vouchers stopped by vote of tax reformers

Decision ended a push to revive ‘Opportunity Scholarships’

A high-profile panel derailed efforts to resurrect former Gov. Jeb Bush’s voucher program on Friday, ending a push to bring back taxpayer-funded scholarships that allowed students in failing public schools to attend private or religious schools.

School budget-cutting talks begin

No job layoffs were announced , and no future field trips for students are being cut. But it’s early in the budgeting process.

Education: Less spending per student — first reduction in 37 years

From kindergarten to graduate programs — consumes about half of the state’s “general revenue,” money from sales tax and other state levies that can be spent at the Legislature’s discretion.

Will painful tax calls be left to lawmakers?

Powerful legislators by nature don’t like being told what to do.

The $65 billion question is: Where won’t the money go?

From education to transportation to health and human services, every recipient of state funds must slice its bottom line this year.

From schools and social services to the court system, arts and environmental programs, Florida is facing a stark new reality this spring. No money.

State cash for public schools dwindles

Florida’s state spending on public schools generally has ranked in the bottom fifth of the country since 2000, according to federal data released this month.

Dade schools may face loss of more funds

Spending by the Miami-Dade school district came under fire in a new report by the state auditor general.

The Miami-Dade School Board may have to return $18.6 million to the state, according to a new report from the state Auditor General.

Lawmakers likely to acquiesce to easing class-size requirement

Trying to help school districts cope with widespread budget cuts, Florida lawmakers appear poised to temporarily ease requirements for reducing class sizes.

Schools’ needs up to voters

St. Lucie County school officials may ask voters this fall whether they’ll agree to pay higher property taxes to hire school-based police officers, crossing guards and nurses in the wake of continued state budget cuts, officials said Monday.

Supreme Court will hear dispute between school districts, Survivors schools

The fight between the Palm Beach County School District and Survivors Charter School is heading to the state’s highest court.

Penalties very harsh for teachers caught in FCAT cheating limbo

Teacher Heidi Sweet says she put pencil marks next to questions some fifth-graders had skipped or gotten wrong while taking Florida’s high-stakes standardized test to encourage them to try again.

Report: Florida gets a B for technology use in schools

Although Florida is one of the worst states in funding education, according to national reports, it received a B for technology use in schools.

OPINION: Free Florida’s students from lagging behind

Some 422,000 Floridians remained out of work in February, the housing market continued its downward spiral, and less than two-fifths — just 37 percent — of all 11th-graders across Florida had mastered science-learning goals as of May 2007.

EDITORIAL: School Choice – Now More Than Ever

This week’s revelation that 17 of the nation’s 50 largest cities have high school graduation rates below 50% surely saddened many. But it surprised few people attuned to the state of U.S. public education.

Anti-bullying bill before second Senate group

An anti-bullying bill named after a Cape Coral teenager is scheduled to be heard by a second Florida Senate panel on Tuesday.

Rates May Soar If Green Electric Bills Are Passed

As Floridians struggle to pay the soaring cost of gasoline and home insurance, energy legislation that could cause a significant increase in Florida’s electricity rates is breezing through the Legislature with little scrutiny.

Legislators on track to get school kids in shape

Florida lawmakers thought reintroducing physical education to the state’s public schools was going to be no sweat. Turns out, it’s an ongoing workout.

Critics blast U.S. Senate housing bill

It’s touted as easing the foreclosure crisis and boosting demand for housing, but critics warn that a bill before the Senate might actually encourage foreclosures and drive down house values.

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