Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Feb. 28

Now that Florida’s January 29, 2008 Amendment 1 vote on property taxes has been taken and the Florida Legislature is scheduled to convene its Regular Session on March 4, the issue landscape continues to evolve, and with it, the question of public school funding.

During 2007, Colodny Fass tracked and published daily property tax and funding-related news headlines in one comprehensive bulletin. For 2008, we will continue to keep you updated on related news as the issue develops.

Beginning with today’s issue, “Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners” will resume publication on a twice-per-week basis.

 

Should you have any comments or questions regarding this newsletter, please send an email to ccochran@cftlaw.com

 

To view a complete story, click on a headline below:

 

Panel rethinks school funding

Under one proposal, billions would shift from property levies to the state sales tax
A plan to eliminate property taxes as a main funding source for Florida schools passed a committee of the Florida Taxation and Budget Commission on Monday.

Proposal puts state sales-tax increase on November ballot

A state panel voted unanimously Monday to put a proposal on the November ballot that would raise the state sales tax by a penny, close billions of dollars worth of sales-tax loopholes and use the money to replace $8 billion in school property taxes.

Tax-Cut Plan Advances Minus Plan to Pay for It

The decades-long battle to end tax breaks for services like accounting, attorneys and advertising suffered another setback Monday, likely snuffing the effort for the near future.

Schools to take another hit from state

State lawmakers are poised to slash more than $350 million from schools — forcing layoffs in some districts before the end of the school year in June — in an effort to balance the current year’s budget, shrunken by withering sales-tax collections.

Schools need more cash for state goals

If Florida has any hopes of seeing its education system spin out the talent needed for a stronger economy, it better step up with some cash.

EDITORIAL: Florida’s regressive tax structure backfires in distant boom

Florida is in the bust phase of our boom-bust state budget cycle.

Editorial: More tax relief for Florida

Tax reformers and a surprising gimmick called the recapture rule make case for added cuts

Charlie Crist promised savings of $240 for taxpayers who voted for Amendment 1.

What you need to know about property tax savings

Did you move in the last year? You could be eligible for a property tax break – if you hurry.

Crist commits to education

Business execs urge him to spare job programs

Black business executives urged Gov. Charlie Crist Tuesday to protect job training and education programs as state lawmakers cut state spending in the 2008 legislative session.

Florida K-12 likely to bear brunt of lawmakers’ budget cuts

The Florida Legislature is shaping plans to slash more than $500million from this year’s $70billion budget shortly after the 2008 session begins next week.

COMMENTARY: A tax on the land, or at the register?

Hey, if you’re a property owner, how’d you like to pay a lot less in school taxes – way less than half of what you’re paying now?

Don’t change Bright Futures scholarships, officials told

Florida’s most expensive scholarship program is proving to be one of its most untouchable.

Upward Bound Program Revived

A long-standing mentoring program at the University of South Florida has returned after the federal government last year declared it dead.

Lawmakers want to expand voucher program

In a year when money for public schools is likely to be cut, some Republican and Democratic lawmakers want to dramatically expand the number of children who get private-school vouchers.

Broward schools to freeze some jobs, shift teachers due to budget cuts

Forced by deepening state budget woes, the Broward County School District will reduce overtime, continue a hiring freeze for non-teaching jobs and move 82 teachers on special assignment back into the classroom in an effort to cut $15.2 million from next school year’s budget.

Broward school sports, bonuses facing the ax

Guidance counselors, some sports and even teachers — the mainstays of public school — could be luxury items next school year, Broward School Board members discovered Wednesday, as they parsed a budget that they expect to be especially scrawny.

City of Tallahassee acts on $2.5 million budget shortfall

Tallahassee city commissioners on Wednesday eliminated 34 staff positions, cut funding for construction projects and slashed operating expenses such as office supplies and training – but are still $400,000 in the hole for this fiscal year.

Lee school district to eat $10 million in revenue losses

The Lee County School Board’s Tuesday meetings began with a discussion of several shaky district investments and ended with Superintendent James Browder sharing two more revenue losses for the district.

School district faces more budget cuts

The DeSoto County School District will lose $422,754 in a second round of state budget cuts that, combined with cuts of $511,009 in fall 2007, will force the district to cut nearly $1 million this school year. School budget reserves are being used to meet these cuts to avoid layoffs.

Titusville considers tax abatement plan

Certain industries taking advantage of the city’s property tax abatement program could find their land development review fees waived, under an ordinance proposed by the city manager.

7 Volusia schools to close despite parents’ pleas

The Volusia County School Board on Tuesday night decided to close seven small, mostly rural schools, sending angry parents streaming from the auditorium at DeLand High School — some yelling or in tears.

Budget cuts may change start times at schools in St. Lucie County

Changing school start times and asking the Legislature to alter the state’s class size amendment are budget-cutting options St. Lucie County School District officials are considering for next year.

Palm Beach County plans to go green with new schools

Plentiful natural light shining on students. Low-flow plumbing fixtures in campus bathrooms. Parking spaces for teachers’ hybrid vehicles.

Koons proposes half-cent sales tax for conservation

Palm Beach County Commissioner Jeff Koons wants to ask voters to approve a half-cent sales tax to help pay to manage and restore environmentally sensitive land owned by the county.

 

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