Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–January 29

Jan 29, 2009

 

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Crist vetoes Legislature’s cuts to education

Gov. Charlie Crist signed a spending measure Tuesday aimed at balancing the state’s budget but vetoed some of lawmakers’ proposed cuts to education, public safety, land conservation and tourism promotion.

 

2 Miami-Dade legislators push bill to protect teacher raises

Two state lawmakers are pushing Florida school districts to ‘pay teachers first.’

Two state lawmakers — one a Republican, the other a Democrat — came together on Wednesday to unveil a bill that would protect teacher raises.

 

State and federal Republican legislators take opposite sides on stimulus

Many Florida Republicans in Congress are deriding the massive economic stimulus package coming before the House Wednesday as horribly bloated, woefully misdirected and unlikely to jump-start the economy.

 

State leaders say staking claims on federal stimulus cash premature

State leaders say it’s too early to pinpoint money from the $825 billion federal economic stimulus package for long-sought projects such as the Indian Street Bridge in Stuart, as the full details of the economic stimulus package continue to be debated in Washington.

 

Florida stands to gain billions from stimulus plan

Florida stands to gain more than $12 billion from the U.S. House’s stimulus plan including money that could help balance the state’s budget, build highways and bridges, expand mass transit and modernize schools.

 

COLUMN:  Feds can’t solve all our problems

In the immortal words of Simon and Garfunkel, ”Coo, coo ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson.” A nation has turned its lonely eyes toward Washington and been mesmerized by the Obamas, who’ve made us feel hopeful.

 

Tax-break ‘portability’ didn’t spark housing, state says

A year ago today, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a tax-reform package that was supposed to put some sizzle into what was then a cooling housing market.

 

Broward County School District bracing for as much as $140 million in cuts for 2009-10 year

Union, parents seek input as board looks at variety of options to ease pain

The Broward County School Board is warning that state budget cuts could force the school district to take drastic steps for the next school year, including laying off teachers and cutting popular programs such as art and music.

 

Broward schools chief says quality will suffer from cuts

Everything is on the table.

High school athletics. High school student schedules. Soda contracts. The number of days all employees work. Bus rides to magnet schools. Employees who work with disabled children.

 

Palm Beach County School District hoping to avoid layoffs

While some Florida school districts scream about shrinking budgets, Palm Beach County schools are quietly managing to avoid layoffs and major program cuts.

 

Seminole schools blast state over funding

Although a federal bailout of Seminole County schools may send as much as $86 million their way, School Board members say this is no way to fund education.

 

Florida Center for Fiscal & Economic Policy Issue Brief:  We’re No. 10? Not So Fast

What an ‘Education Quality’ Study Really Said

 

Some students doing better, but public not sold on schools

JCCI REPORT An annual glimpse of the First Coast shows some gains in education and health. SETBACKS But respondents are mostly unhappy with public education. And the economy? Ugh.

A regional think tank’s annual quality-of-life report highlighted some small bright spots for schools – despite fewer people being satisfied with education – amid rising unemployment, fewer housing starts and a greater need for public assistance.

 

Report:  States do poorly at keeping good teachers or removing bad ones from the classroom

States are not doing what it takes to keep good teachers and remove bad ones, a national study found.

 

Florida State braces for budget cut of as much as $60 million

Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell fears for his university.

 

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