Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — December 15
Dec 15, 2010
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New revenue estimate adds $1 billion to Florida budget gap
State economists have significantly reduced their estimate of general fund revenue collections, a revision that will add at least $1 billion to a potential $2.5 billion budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.
Florida cities, counties lose big bucks as banks get tax breaks on repossessed homes
Local governments across the state are losing revenue because banks are getting the homestead-exemption tax breaks intended for the homeowners whose properties the lenders have repossessed.
Florida’s budget shortfall grows as property values keep dropping
Florida’s budget shortfall for 2011 is getting larger
State economists have drawn up new property tax estimates for the coming year that show that property values in the coming year are expected to drop again.
State finances: No idea shortage
With up to a $3.5 billion deficit looming over the next state budget, the governor and state lawmakers need an infusion of creative thinking.
Businesses face steep tax hike
Florida unemployment compensation taxes increasing from $25 to $72 for some companies
Florida businesses are about to feel more sticker shock from a jobless recovery.
Scott may shrink tax money for public employees’ pensions
Public employees would pay for their retirement plans
One of the big questions surrounding Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s plan to cut billions of dollars in taxes is this: Where would he make up the difference?
Editorial: TaxWatch offers many sensible budget-cutting ideas
Legislature should pay attention to detailed report
Tallahassee lawmakers collectively shuddered last week upon learning that the state deficit soon may top $3.5 billion — about $1 billion more than estimates of just three months ago.
Blog: Broward commissioners will set five unpaid days off Tuesday
Broward County commissioners will vote Tuesday on five dates to shut down county government to save money.
Hillsborough may again reconsider its funding of after-school care
Hillsborough County leaders want to provide customer service that’s the equal of the best private companies.
Palm Beach County school board to ponder unpleasant options to meet class-size limits
Facing what could be a $60 million price tag to lower class sizes next year, Palm Beach County’s new school board members will get their first look Wednesday at a list of state-recommended options to get the job done – and the cost for each choice.
Scott Hints at Education Vouchers for All
Students’ parents could use education funds for the schools of their choice.
Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott on Thursday blew the door wide open to the idea of a voucher-like program for all students, saying he’s working with lawmakers to allow state education dollars to follow a student to the school his or her parents choose.
Editorial: Rick Scott would be smart to include teachers in education reform discussions
THE ISSUE: Rick Scott picks education transition team.
There’s a reason why the state Legislature’s teacher merit-pay bill wasn’t on the new, veto-proof Legislature’s to-do list when it was busily overriding Gov. Charlie Crist right and left a few weeks ago.
Governor-elect Rick Scott raises $2 million for inaugural party – so far
Incoming Gov. Rick Scott has $2 million on hand to celebrate his inauguration. And more cash is on the way.
School days may lengthen in Florida
The move would be part of reform plans for low performing schools
A push for struggling schools to lengthen the school day may become a part of a larger education reform debate that lawmakers have hinted will be a major part of the spring 2011 legislative agenda.
State generous with road funds
Nearly $650 million slated to go to Lee
Lee County could get about $650 million in state dollars in the next five years for road projects.
O.J. Simpson keeps Florida tax break, official rules
O.J. Simpson may not be coming back to South Florida for a good long while, but he’s still entitled to a homestead exemption on his Kendall home.
Tax appeals swamp U.S. cities, towns as property prices plunge
A fiscal flood that threatens to swamp local government budgets across the U.S. overflows from file cabinets in the office of Patty Halm, chair of the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
New York can’t just slash aid
With New York facing multibillion-dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, the next governor and Legislature will most likely slash aid to the state’s school districts. If so, they must take bold action to meet our children’s needs — by allowing local school officials to reduce their costs and so avert disaster.
Blog: How Is Your Community Dealing With Budget Woes?
Michael Cooper, National Correspondent: All right, at the risk of shamelessly pandering to attract lots of Web traffic, welcome to our conversation about city and state budgets!
New Jersey lawmakers pass changes to arbitration process for police, firefighters
Of the hundreds of police and firefighter contracts up for negotiation in New Jersey annually, no more than a few dozen a year have been settled recently by arbitration.
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