Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–July 31

 

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Florida Safety Net Hospital Alliance Releases Study Opposing Amendment 5

Former Department of Revenue chief James Zingale authors in-depth study

Hearing Set for August 13 On Tax Swap Lawsuit

A broad group of organizations ranging from school officials to business owners filed suit in Leon County to remove proposed constitutional Amendment 5, known as the ‘tax swap,’ from the November 5 ballot.  Coalition members joining in the lawsuit include the Florida School Boards Association; Florida Association of District School Superintendents; Florida Association of School Administrators; Florida Farm Bureau Federation; Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants; National Federation of Independent Business-Florida; Associated Industries of Florida; Printing Association of Florida; Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Beverly Slough.

Reagan, McKay: Tax-swap amendment backing crucial

State GOP leaders met with local Republicans on Tuesday to push for support on an amendment they say is critical to Florida’s economy.

Miami-Dade schools budget passes; raises on hold

Working early into Thursday morning, the Miami-Dade School Board listened to more than a hundred speakers who came to fight for programs set to be cut from schools next year.

Just after midnight, the board voted 5-4 to approve a tentative budget.
At an emotional public hearing attended by hundreds of community members, the Miami-Dade School Board gave its first thumbs-up to the district’s $5.5 billion budget.

Candidates talk taxes, other issues

Taxes, schools, qualifications discussed

Here are more excerpts from Tuesday night’s candidate forum for state House Districts 31 and 32:

District 8 Dems bash ‘tax swap’

A half-dozen Democrats seeking to succeed state Rep. Curtis Richardson expressed solid opposition Tuesday to the ‘tax-swap’ constitutional amendment. They also said state employees have been overworked and under-appreciated, and pledged to work across party lines in the Republican-run House to improve salaries, pensions and insurance benefits. All six also agreed that the Board of Governors, not the Legislature, should have authority over tuition and creation of new schools or academic fields of study at Florida’s 11 state universities.

Whitehead says he’ll propose $2 million in cuts

Escambia County Commissioner Mike Whitehead today plans to identify an additional $2 million in cuts to next year’s budget.

That’s in addition to the $12 million in cuts commissioners already have identified because of the demands of voter-approved Amendment 1.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Taxing questions

Trimming the fat is easier than you think

About halfway down in the recent FLORIDA TODAY editorial ‘Assessing Amendment 1,’ was this statement:’A study of county spending in May by Space Coast corporate executives, however, didn’t find a lot of fat to trim.’This single sentence explains the whole problem with government and its perceived need to spend my money. Who gets to define fat?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Will home values also be readjusted downward?

So let me get this straight regarding the article, County tax savings: $441 (Section B1, July 25). The tentative property tax rate has increased by 40 cents and I will save $441 on my taxes? This assumption is based on my house being valued at $279,000 in 2008, the county will re-assess my value to $229,000 in 2009, I will receive my new $50,000 homestead exemption, so my taxes will be lower by $441?

Landlords: Tax hike bad for renters

Although some Leon County residents say raising taxes may be necessary to support county services, many local landlords and renters fear they’ll suffer if taxes increase.

Water district OKs tax rate at 2008 level

The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board has adopted its property-tax rate for the 2009 fiscal year, which is unchanged from the tax rate for 2008.

Hernando schools budget may lower taxes for homeowners

Homeowners may catch a break under the tentative budget and education tax rate for next year approved Tuesday by the Hernando County School Board.

School board budget may cost taxpayers less

The Manatee County school board will consider a tentative budget that could mean a lower tax bill for local property owners.

School system analyzes tax rates

This may come as a surprise to some longtime Alachua County homeowners.

The school system’s analysis of taxes collected for county schools since 1995 shows some homeowners are only paying $3 a year more toward schools this year than they did in 1995.

Pasco School Board budget proposal has steady tax rate

With minimal public discussion, the Pasco County School Board set its tax rate and tentative budget Tuesday.

Using false address for school could land you in jail

Use a fake address to put your child into another school, and you could land behind bars.With budgets tighter and many suburban schools crowded to capacity, Broward County School District officials hope the threat of prison time will dissuade parents from using false addresses to enroll their children at schools outside their neighborhood.

Three of Florida’s most low-performing schools are in Palm Beach and Broward counties

Massive effort to fix them will begin

Florida education officials Tuesday identified the state’s 13 most critically low-performing schools according to new federally sanctioned guidelines. Two are in Palm Beach County and one is in Broward.

New rancor in Crew drama

Tempers flew and chaos reigned during a Miami-Dade School Board meeting as a member read a memo calling for chief Rudy Crew’s ouster.

A Miami-Dade School Board meeting erupted in chaos Wednesday after one member brought up the possible firing of embattled Superintendent Rudy Crew.

Report: Dade School Board attorney was wrong

An inspector general’s report found that Miami-Dade School Board attorney JulieAnn Rico was wrong to keep money given to her by the district to move from Palm Beach County — which she never did.

Judge dismisses ACLU lawsuit against the Palm Beach County School District

A judge this week dismissed a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against local education officials over the county’s high school graduation rate.

Fla. begins No Child Left Behind pilot program

A pilot program designed to help Florida schools meet assessment criteria under the federal No Child Left Behind Act began Tuesday.

Federal pilot program to help 18 Treasure Coast schools    

Eighteen Treasure Coast public schools will receive additional support and corrective measures to help their students meet federal and state education standards.

On Tuesday, the state Department of Education released details of a federal pilot program and classified Florida’s 1,081 schools in need of improvement into five categories based on the schools’ letter grades and other criteria.

Subcommittee requests $30M for COE

A subcommittee of the Florida Board of Governors voted Tuesday to request $30 million from the Legislature next year for the State University System’s Centers of Excellence.

EDITORIAL:  School, students in need of support

The reopening of Middleton High School in 2002 was a shining moment for East Tampa’s black community. But the return of a school that gave the community pride and a common bond is under threat again, this time by poor student performance that could force the Hillsborough school system to consider radical steps, including closing Middleton’s doors. Leaders who rallied the last time need to rally again for the sake of the school and the community it serves.

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