Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 13

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New property tax system would slam ‘affordable’ cities in Broward

The communities with many of the condos and homes most affordable for middle-income families in Broward County would take the biggest financial hit if a shake-up of state property tax breaks wins voter approval.

 

Critics push to plug drain in tax loophole

A method of recording real estate transactions can avoid a tax, costing the state millions.

At a time when values of offices and resorts are soaring, a few prime properties in South Florida are changing hands for $10.

 

Palm Beach County cities with modest homes face the biggest loss of tax base

Palm Beach County’s middle-class bedroom communities and the poor towns in the Everglades would take the biggest financial blow if a new “super exemption” wins statewide approval.

 

Editorial: Court tosses out SOH lawsuit.

A victory in court offers a sense of relief, but it’s critical Floridians continue to press for equity and fairness in the property tax system.

 

Projected tax base reductions for Broward County municipalities

Six communities in Broward County would lose at least 10 percent of their tax bases if voters agree to the new tax breaks in January and all of those who benefit then switch. Others communities would lose only a minor amount of revenue.

 

Ag chief resists Crist’s request to identify budget cuts

Public safety and health will be sacrificed.  That argument failed to help cities and counties escape a state-ordered tax cut this year, but now the man who oversees Florida’s second-largest industry hopes a similar defense will protect his budget from expected legislative cuts.

 

State workers get nervous when budgets get cut

State employees have seen budget cuts before, so they know what to expect as Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature set to work carving $1 billion-plus out of this year’s spending. 

 

County To Study Proposed School Impact Fee Increase

DADE CITY – The cost of building schools in Pasco County has been going up for the past couple of years, and a construction fee charged on new homes is not paying the bills, school officials have said.

 

Virtual Schools Click With Parents

TALLAHASSEE – Nut products in a school lunchroom can send 6-year-old Holly Bates into anaphylactic shock. It’s not even safe for the Tampa girl to sit in class near children who have been munching nuts. That’s why, for a second year, Holly will attend Florida Connections Academy, a full-time “virtual” school that she reaches from her home computer.

 

Will this school be too Jewish?

Ben Gamla Charter School organizers say they won’t cross the line, but some worry.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A school opening this month is named for a Jewish high priest, is directed by a rabbi, will have kosher food and will teach Hebrew. It’s also a public school, funded by public tax dollars and following state curriculum guidelines.

 

Agency’s End Could Imperil Wetlands

TAMPA – Hillsborough County commissioners this week may eliminate the division charged with protecting local wetlands by turning the work over to a regional agency.

 

Scholarships’ Background

May 1997: The Legislature creates Bright Futures scholarships, which cover 75 percent or 100 percent of a Florida student’s tuition and fees, depending on school performance. Lawmakers spend $75 million to fund nearly 43,000 scholarships.

 

Schools: Full focus needs full tummy

Kristin Mock kept a box of cereal in her kindergarten classroom at Egret Lake Elementary for the students who came to school without eating breakfast.

 

Social Web sites let colleges check up on students

As students along the Treasure Coast prepare to head to college, they might want to play it safe if using social Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

 

Penalty widens for youth sex ‘coercion’

Fourteen-year-old boys who “coerce” sex from their girlfriends soon will join adult rapists and child molesters with their names, addresses and photographs on the state’s Web site list of sex offenders.

 

Counties Envision Cutbacks in State Funding

Governments ‘Have to Be a Part of the Solution’ as Md. Confronts $1.5 Billion Shortfall, Delegate Says

Hundreds of county officials from across Maryland are convening this week in Ocean City for an annual conference typically remembered as much for its golf tournament, crab feast and late-night outings to watering holes as for its panel discussions.