Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 9

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Most States Facing Budget Declines

The fiscal health of states is again in decline, with end-of-year balances down in the 2007 fiscal year and expected to drop again, according to a new report.

 

School superintendents in state call for change in standardized tests

A panel of superintendents urged the state Wednesday to dramatically revamp Florida’s standardized tests and school-grading system, which they say unfairly penalizes high schools.

 

Business group backs tax amendment

TALLAHASSEE — The property tax constitutional amendment headed for voters in January picked up its first official business backer Thursday from the National Federation of Independent Business.

 

Schools may see $700M in cuts

The governor is getting budget-reduction ideas from state agencies as tax revenue plummets.

Florida’s budget crunch could result in more than $700 million less for public schools, less monitoring of foster children, and nonviolent prisoners spending less time behind bars.

 

Merit pay top choice to cut state education budget

Volusia and Flagler school officials say a $147.5 million teacher merit-pay plan should be the first thing to go if state lawmakers need to cut spending on public schools.

Tax office workers vote to unionize

Employees in the Brevard County Tax Collector’s Office have voted to form a union.

 

Realtors forecast five-year low in home sales across U.S.

U.S. home sales will tumble to a five-year low this year as the widening credit crunch reduces the number of buyers who can get mortgages, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

 

Shuttle blasts off with teacher aboard

Space shuttle Endeavour roared into orbit Wednesday carrying teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan, who was finally fulfilling the dream of Christa McAuliffe and the rest of the fallen Challenger crew.

 

Regents approve preschool teacher program, residence hall at VSU

ATLANTA – A new program to help educate preschool teachers at Valdosta State University was approved Wednesday by the state Board of Regents, which also signed off on new student housing at the university.

 

State seeks to boost health insurance enrollment

TALLAHASSEE — With hundreds of thousands of Florida children lacking health insurance, state leaders announced a campaign Wednesday to increase enrollment in a program that offers low-cost coverage to many families.

 

Orange City bucks state tax orders

Despite an effort by the Florida Legislature to force local property-tax cuts, Orange City is poised to pass a budget in September that could contain a small tax increase.

 

New Fla. law will brand teens as sex offenders for life

Young teens convicted of sex crimes behind the closed doors of juvenile court will now end up on the state’s public registry of sex offenders.

 

Hushed-up investors still not repaid

After all the hype from the Legislature about “The Biggest Tax Cut in Florida History” — and the alarming reports from local government about devastating budget cuts — neither have materialized in Brevard.

 

School-Based Law Officers Study Mental Crisis Tactics

LAKELAND | School resource officers are getting an eyeful and earful of crisis intervention training to help them interact better with students who have mental disorders.

 

New med schools to cost millions more

Leaders planning two new public medical schools in Miami-Dade County and Orlando say the schools will cost state taxpayers millions more than previous estimates — maxing out at a combined $52.2 million a year by 2014.

 

A Tight Belt Can Create Strangling

Gov. Charlie Crist says that like Florida families, state government needs to”tighten its belt” when the economy gets tough. So in light of falling revenue collections, he’s ordered state agencies to cut their budgets by 4 percent and plan for further 10 percent reductions.

 

Mayday’s D-day put on hold

Memories of his first flight lesson drew Anthony Restaino to Pembroke Pines City Hall to urge city leaders to preserve the city’s oldest building from demolition.

 

Army to expand recruiting incentives

Before future soldier Tyka Petty, leaves for basic training she meets with U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. Harry Harper, not shown, at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Upper Darby, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007.