Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–February 9
Feb 9, 2010
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Governor Crist avoids talk of tax increase for schools
Gov. Charlie Crist delivered an optimistic message about the state budget and state economy to a gathering of political and civic leaders in Tampa today, saying, “Something good is starting to percolate in our economy.”
State takes heat for lack of property tax relief in new plan for business benefits
The states top economic development official is defending a plan to create new tax credits that will not address the No. 1 business cost in the state.
Funding Florida’s schools: Districts seek fair share
There’s not a school district in Florida that doesn’t feel shortchanged by the Legislature, with teacher salaries virtually frozen and per-pupil spending continuing to slide.
Early figures provided so Broward government agencies can plan budgets
Broward property values plummeted last year, according to a preliminary estimate, and probably will force local governments to slash spending or raise taxes.
Florida Property Taxes ‘Drop Like a Rock’ Over Last Three Years
Florida property taxes dropped by $2.28 billion, or 7.5 percent, over the past three years because of tax-cutting measures approved by the Legislature and voters as well as falling real estate values, according to figures presented to a legislative panel Thursday.
Challenge to Sarasota school tax mounts
A group opposed to the extra 1-mill property tax for school spending has formed a political action committee to campaign against its renewal, signaling the most organized opposition in the tax’s history.
Adviser: Now a Bad Time For CRA
That’s the crux of the advice regarding forming a new Community Redevelopment Agency that Pat Steed delivered to the City Commission.
School tax backers target Venice
With a median age of 65, the city of Venice is home to senior citizens who were children of the Great Depression and the world war that followed.
Column: Drop in growth changed everything
The New Year begins not with a bang, but with a whimper. That moaning comes from a recession in its death throes, but also from a labor market that continues to worsen.
Union opposition dogs Florida application for education Race to the Top funds
Florida’s application for a $1.1 billion share of federal education reform funding could be hampered by a lack of support from teachers’ unions as federal officials begin reviewing submissions from states across the country.
Editorial: Give schools flexibility to manage classrooms
When Florida voters in 2002 approved a constitutional amendment limiting school class sizes, the idea had some merit.
Local schools are holding their own in keeping class sizes small.
Duval County schools facing $85 million shortfall
Duval County Public Schools would take an $85 million hit next school year if the state’s agencies take proportional losses and the state proceeds with a class-size amendment initiative, Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals told board members Monday.
Boca Raton considering measure to take over schools
Officials, some residents, say they want schools in the city to become charters
Boca Raton’s public schools could be the subject of a takeover attempt by the city government, starting with Boca Raton High despite strong teacher opposition.
Long classes aid learning, so cuts challenge school leaders
There’s no magic number when it comes to how long a middle school class should last.
After $14 million spent, does FCAT tutoring work?
There are only four weeks left before the reading and math portions of the FCAT – the writing test begins Tuesday – and more than 9,500 struggling students in Palm Beach and Broward counties are each receiving up to $1,500 worth of free tutoring.
Florida University System Chancellor Frank Brogan:
Want to reinvent the Florida economy? Invest in universities
Every Floridian wants to see an economic turnaround and the sooner the better.
Opinion: Tuition hikes at Florida state universities ‘outrageous’ and unwarranted
Now that enrollment for the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program for the current calendar year is over, I thought this would be a proper time to discuss the impact of the substantial – and I believe outrageous – increases in the cost of tuition that became effective in this current enrollment year, as compared to the costs in preceding years, since the Program started in 1988.
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