Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–August 26
Aug 26, 2008
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Tax-swap boosters make case in Florida Supreme Court
Hope to get Amendment 5 back on ballot
If voters read its ballot title and summary together, they will understand the proposed tax-swap amendment, attorneys fighting to salvage the plan told the Florida Supreme Court Thursday.
Lawyers argue that Amendment 5 is not misleading
Attorneys fighting to get the court-stricken tax-swap amendment back on the ballot argued today that the proposal is not “hiding the ball or flying under false colors” to fool voters into voting for it.
Also on the Florida Supreme Court docket this week:
Florida’s Attorney General has filed a citizens’ initiative on congressional redistricting standards for the Court to determine whether it meets legal standards for placement on the ballot.
Florida Attorney General has filed a citizens’ initiative on legislative redistricting standards for the Court to determine whether it meets legal standards for placement on the ballot.
Confused about property tax exemption? You’re not alone
Broward property appraiser says Web site has clearer explanation of exemption
With tax appraisal notices hitting mailboxes across Broward County, property owners are getting confused about whether they are receiving the extra tax breaks approved in January.
EDITORIAL: Amendment 1–What it means…
We’ll take a leap and suggest most homeowners are not surprised to learn that the property tax savings from Amendment 1 are less than what was dangled before them by legislators and Gov. Charlie Crist.
Education cuts force lawmakers to consider tax increases
After a decade-long crusade to cut any and all taxes, Republican lawmakers may be forced to reverse course as they hear complaints that budget cuts have gutted the basic functions of public schools and universities.
Joint Legislative Budget Commission to Meet August 27
The Joint Legislative Budget Commission will hold a meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 to consider budget amendments from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Transportation, and to receive a presentation on the Long Range Financial Outlook. To view the complete agenda, click here.
EDITORIAL: Florida’s leadership dithers as state sinks
The financial crisis that grips Florida government now knows no modern precedent, but nearly as alarming as the plunging forecasts are the numbingly casual reactions in the capital. As schools and universities and courts and hospitals fall into a deepening budgetary sinkhole, state officials are offering little more than shallow platitudes.
Taxpayers can take a bow for wise spending
Inside the yellow cottage in a Kendall compound behind a chain-link fence, the children are waking up from their naps. Babies are learning to sit up, toddlers are naming their colors and 4-year-olds are gobbling up their vanilla ice cream with a smile.
Low turnout possible in key races in Miami-Dade, Broward.
Political junkies are watching key races for mayor, sheriff and school board, but voters turnout is expected to be low
Even amid a mud-covered sheriff’s race, school board contests that could break a superintendent’s job and a do-or-die vote for the Children’s Trust, a Miami Herald analysis of early-voting totals suggests low turnout for Tuesday’s election.
Rudy Crew skips disputed Dade School Board meeting
Miami-Dade School Board Vice Chairwoman Perla Tabares Hantman held a meeting to discuss budget problems — but Superintendent Rudy Crew did not attend.
Superintendent Rudy Crew maintained that the meeting, originally planned for Tuesday but rescheduled for Thursday due to Tropical Storm Fay, was not properly advertised.
Boynton Beach school offers global education
IB program at upgraded elementary is expected to boost its popularity
Boynton Beach – Forest Park Elementary, fresh from a $31.6 million upgrade, has worldly aspirations.
Energy-efficient Parkland elementary school to open in 2009
Parkland getting an energy-efficient school
It has taken some time, but Parkland will finally have its third elementary school.
Anti-bullying school needs more students before it can open
Taylor Peace Academy, the first school in Hillsborough County to specialize in anti-bullying, didn’t have enough students to open last week.
Programs aim to increase grad rates
Middle schools hope to help at-risk youth
A district-wide program that’s meant to ultimately boost the dismal graduation rate among black males in Leon County will be at all middle schools except Cobb and Raa middle schools.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Faults of FCAT
Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Florida’s Future is distributing DVDs titled “The ABCs of the FCAT: A Guide to Florida’s Accountability System.”
A Teacher on the Front Line as Faith and Science Clash
David Campbell switched on the overhead projector and wrote “Evolution” in the rectangle of light on the screen.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com