Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 10

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Tax cuts could hurt S. Fla. home sales, agents say

The scramble is on by cities to cut property taxes, but instead of luring home buyers, real estate agents say it may be discouraging some of them.

 

Broward to experiment with expandable school in Parkland

ISSUE: School Board to build expandable school in Parkland.

Nobody knows what the real estate market will bring. A decline in school enrollment today could turn into a population boom tomorrow.

 

Property-tax amendment picks up support from independent businesses federation

The property-tax amendment headed for voters in January picked up its first official corporate blessing Thursday from the National Federation of Independent Business.

 

Tourism industry balks at proposed bed tax hike

How many tourists can King Tut draw? What about the ballet?  Those are the questions arising from a recent proposal to subsidize Broward County cultural activities by adding a penny to the county’s five-cent hotel tax.

 

BOG lays plan for budget cuts

Preliminary budget of $3.8B OK’d for colleges, universities

TAMPA – The governing board for Florida’s 11 public colleges and universities identified possible areas for cutbacks Thursday to accommodate a projected state budget shortfall.

 

Property tax exemptions are widespread in the city

When the City Council and the Mayor’s Office are scratching to find money to pay for city services, it’s an interesting exercise to look at the various entities and organizations that are exempt from paying property taxes. 

 

Focus on dropouts

There is one key issue that should override all others in the public schools. Keep students in school.  There has not been enough progress made in that regard over the years, spanning a number of Duval County School Board members and superintendents.

 

Insured families often are stuck with paying for student vaccinations

Amanda Wells, 12, center, holds on to her mother, Brandy Hunter, 33, left, as Amanda reacts to a Hepatitis A immunization shot given to her by nurse Heather Pepper at the Indian River County Health Department on Wednesday.

 

Progress in preparing new generation to govern itself

Most Americans do not understand our most basic constitutional principles and are disengaging from civic and political life. Voter turnout, especially among young voters, continues to reflect an indifference to the importance of participation in American democracy.

 

Teacher-astronaut helps inspect for launch damage

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Schoolteacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan helped operate a 100-foot robot arm and extension boom in a hunt for damage on her first full day in orbit Thursday, as NASA said foam insulation may have hit the space shuttle at launch.

 

Education Dept. Seeks Early Compliance on Loan Rules

Criticized for lax oversight of student loans, the federal Education Department is asking universities and lenders to abide voluntarily by its proposed rules banning certain marketing practices by loan companies, before the rules take effect next year.

 

Crist ‘picking on’ Escambia?

Does Florida Gov. Charlie Crist have a political grudge against Escambia County?  Crist doesn’t think so. But several county commissioners believe otherwise.

 

‘Children’s Parliament’ Sets High Bar in Congo

Youthful Body Is a Beacon of Justice

GOMA, Congo — It had already been a long day when Case No. 4, woman with delinquent husband, walked through the metal gates into the spare, concrete-floored chambers of the so-called Children’s Parliament here.

 

District’s Ex-Charter Schools Chief Admits Fraud

Brenda Belton had some gall, by her own admission. As charter school oversight chief for the D.C. Board of Education, she repeatedly stole from the school system, arranging about $649,000 in illegal school payments and sweetheart contracts to herself and her friends.