Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–December 11
Dec 11, 2008
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
School Board votes to sue state over funding
The Miami-Dade School Board will sue the state to make up funding it says it’s not getting from local taxes.
The Miami-Dade School Board voted Wednesday to sue the state, hoping to recoup $34.7 million in funding it alleges was improperly withheld.
Florida lawmakers list options for dealing with nearly $2.3B budget deficit
New forecast of 100,000 more patients in Medicaid deepens deficit to $2.3B
Florida Senate leaders outlined a list of options for dealing with a nearly $2.3 billion budget deficit Wednesday as the full 40-member chamber held a rare out-of-session meeting to be briefed on the state’s dismal economic outlook. The alternatives include spending cuts, making permanent a 4-percent hold on spending Gov. Charlie Crist already has ordered, and taking more money out of a reserve fund. The list doesn’t include tax increases, at least for now.
Budget Crisis Likely to Mean Cuts to the Basics
Facing a $2 billion hole in this year’s state budget and a larger shortfall for the next budget year, Senate leaders said Wednesday they are preparing for a special session early next year that will signal the beginning of an extraordinarily difficult time as lawmakers may be forced to make deep cuts in basic state services ranging from schools to health care to prisons.
Crist ponders what to chop from budget
Here is Gov. Charlie Crist’s opinion about trimming Florida’s budget: “If it can deliver the same service more efficiently with less need for administrative overhead, I think the people would probably applaud it.”
Democratic lawmakers want to raise the cigarette tax, and some Republicans are warming to the idea. Gov. Charlie Crist says he hasn’t.
Fla. local investment pool nears liquidity
Florida’s troubled Local Government Investment Pool is expected to reach full liquidity by year’s end.
Crist, cabinet adjust state investing rules
Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet approved a minor technical adjustment in state investment policy Tuesday with the governor cautioning that Florida has to be very conservative about sinking more money into the volatile stock market.
COLUMN: State should take a twofold approach to budget crisis
In most challenging situations, when a major problem looms, the do-nothing, hope-for-a-miracle approach is not a responsible option.
COLUMN: Growth binge gives Florida a hangover
Developers’ spiel no longer stimulating; local officials should take a new position
The development industry is the Viagra of Florida. At least it used to be.
Widow, son mark anniversary of Chiles’ death by highlighting kids’ needs
The widow and son of Gov. Lawton Chiles said Wednesday that 10 years of Republican rule has made tax breaks more important than children’s health and nutrition in ways that will cost Floridians billions in medical, educational and criminal justice spending to repair. Lawton M. ‘Bud’ Chiles III said that, if Gov. Charlie Crist and GOP legislators continue plugging holes in the state budget by dipping into the Lawton Chiles Endowment, the family will ask that the late governor’s name be removed from the fund.
Broward teachers not included in raises
The teachers’ union is demanding a guarantee teachers will get raises next year as well as this year.
As Broward teachers continue waiting for raises — holding out for the promise of raises next school year — thousands of other school district employees got salary boosts Tuesday.
Lawmakers seek to postpone vote on sugar deal
Saying there were too many unresolved questions — from whether the state was overpaying to how the deal would sock taxpayers — lawmakers pressed the South Florida Water Management District’s governing board to postpone a vote scheduled for Tuesday that could finalize the deal.
Amid Everglades deal, U.S. Sugar identifies other buyers
U.S. Sugar Corp., which has agreed to be bought by the South Florida Water Management District, has identified a number of other potential buyers and is set to begin discussions with them as early as next week, U.S. Sugar President and CEO Robert Buker said in a letter to employees and stockholders released Wednesday.
Palm Beach County School board wants WXEL
Despite the threat of state budget cuts that could force school district layoffs, the Palm Beach County School Board voted Wednesday to authorize its staff to negotiate to buy WXEL public radio and television stations for no more than $4.5 million.
Pinellas board votes to close schools
The Pinellas School Board voted 7-0 early today to tentatively approve a money-saving plan that would close several schools and force thousands of students to change schools next year.
Superintendent’s plan shows how schools can live on $8.6M less
Less teacher training. Less paid travel. No new band and chorus uniforms. No spring football or JV baseball and softball. Fewer teachers in alternative graduation enhancement programs.
Polk Seeks $124 Million for School Technology
The request is for money to build energy-efficient schools, buy 104 alternative-fuel buses, and upgrade classrom technology.
After outlining the continuing grim state of the Polk County School District’s budget Tuesday, Superintendent Gail McKinzie offered one sliver of hope – a proposal by President-Elect Barack Obama to provide money to schools across the nation to make them more green and technologically advanced.
St. Lucie School Board asking for federal help for schools
Feeling the pinch of deep budget cuts from Tallahassee, the county School Board is turning to Washington by sending a resolution to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team that asks federal help to operate and build local schools.
Brevard schools to lose $10.8 million by February
Brevard Public Schools could lose another $10.8 million by February, according to recent state projections, Superintendent Richard DiPatri told the Brevard County School Board tonight.
Manatee County schools may cut book funding
Money for teacher training and new textbooks for students could be the latest victims of budget cuts the Manatee County school district expects to make this spring.
Under a new state grading formula, Florida could be handing out a lot more F’s. And even A and B schools could drop down to C and D schools.
One variation of the plan would increase the current number of F high schools in Broward from one to five; in Dade, it would increase from seven to 13.
Changes on horizon for Bright Futures
The state’s darkening economic picture has clouded prospects for Bright Futures.
The popular scholarship program covers tuition for students who meet standards for grades and test scores. Higher education officials have argued the program keeps tuition artificially low and deprives universities of needed revenue, especially at a time of budget cuts.
Miami’s Diaz offers mayors’ wish list to Obama
From his post atop the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz has offered President-elect Barack Obama a Christmas wish list for the ages.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com