Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–July 3

 

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Broward tax revenues a bit higher than predicted

New numbers released Monday by the Broward County property appraiser found the dip in the county’s tax base wasn’t quite as deep as expected — one small glimmer in the bleak budget forecasts many municipalities are facing.

Florida agrees to add Powerball to lottery options

Florida lottery officials said Wednesday they will add the national Powerball game to the state’s portfolio in January and become the new host for the game’s semiweekly drawings.

EDITORIAL: Save taxes, cut bureaucratic costs — check out TaxWatch’s annual report

Originality is overrated.

Oftentimes, imitating someone else’s idea – and tailoring it to one’s unique circumstances – can be just as effective as developing an original thought.

Miami-Dade: New construction to balance property value declines

Miami-Dade County said its 2008 preliminary tax roll confirmed a 2.6 percent decline in property values, but said when the value of new construction is factored in, 2007 and 2008 taxable values are about the same.

 
State eases rules for troubled Broward, Palm Beach County schools

Sixty Palm Beach and Broward County schools facing serious federal sanctions may be catching a break.

Dade teachers locked with district over pay

The Miami-Dade teachers union and school-district officials ended the second day of negotiations over salary increases Wednesday without making much progress — and with no resolution in sight.

EDITORIAL:  School district, UTD should compromise

Partial Pay Hikes Better Than No Increases At All

It’s agreed: Miami-Dade County District Schools’ teachers deserve salary increases and raises at rates agreed upon by United Teachers of Dade and the School Board during the last round of contract negotiations. But that was before the state’s economy tanked, before the real-estate recession hit South Florida, before legislative- and voter-mandated property-tax cuts that reduced school districts’ budgets.

Palm Beach County budget proposals would avert layoffs

Averting widespread layoffs, budget managers Wednesday outlined a package of potential cuts that largely draws on unused pools of money, accounting shifts and delays in debt payments to avoid an election-year hike in the tax rate.

Alternative revenue sources may be answer to Marco’s property tax shortfall

$1.8 million shortfall equates to about $90 needed per property

Alternative revenue sources are not bankers with spiked hair cuts, earrings and big black boots. They are the answer proposed by city staff to the challenge of decreased property values and tax reform.

EDITORIAL: Ethics act for schools excessive

Florida’s Ethics in Education Act went into effect Tuesday, propelling school districts into a period of uncertainty as they await guidelines from the state’s Department of Education.

Education law changes

As a result of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which took effect Tuesday, new graduates who consolidate, or refinance, their variable-rate student loans during the six months following graduation can now secure a fixed rate of 3.61 percent, half of last year’s rate of 7.22 percent.

Eight struggling Treasure Coast schools may get reprieve

Eight Treasure Coast public schools that were facing possible makeovers in August for failing to make adequate yearly progress for five consecutive years might have been given a reprieve.