Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–June 23
Jun 23, 2010
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Sarasota to vote on 100 Percent Property Tax Exemption for Businesses
On Aug. 24, voters will be asked if they want to give the commission authority to grant up to a 100 percent property tax exemption for up to 10 years for businesses that create new jobs.
New Florida law would finance energy retrofits through property taxes
A clean energy program approved by Gov. Charlie Crist is intended help property owners finance alternative energy improvements while boosting business for solar energy companies.
Broward considers tax rate increase, spending cuts
Property tax rates for Broward County government could increase as much as 10 percent this fall to avoid library closures and deep cuts to law enforcement and social services.
Blog: Public hearing on Florida’s class-size amendment
The next phase of class-size amendment restrictions kick-in in August, meaning districts must use a class-by-class count instead of the school-by-school average of how many students are in a class.
Broward Superintendent James Notter taking a pay cut
Superintendent James Notter said because the Broward School District’s $130 million budget hole is forcing layoffs of teachers and staff, “it is incumbent on me to personally ‘tighten my belt.'”
Extension of Property Tax For Polk School Board Funding Wins Support
Polk County School Board members voted 6-0 on Tuesday to continue a property tax of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Clay commission okays School Board referendum request
The Clay County School Board’s request for voter approval of a small, temporary property tax levy will be placed on the November general election ballot.
Pinellas School Board May Put Tax Increase on Ballot
Faced with the loss of $30 million in federal stimulus funds and the elimination of hundreds of jobs, Polk County School Board members are considering asking residents to pay more in property taxes to compensate.
Duval, other school districts consider extending property tax increase
The Duval County School Board is scheduled to vote next month on whether to continue a quarter-mill property tax rate increase for a second year.
Lee County School Board reviews 2011 fiscal budget
The Lee County School Board is trying to hold steady on any further cuts for the 2011 fiscal year and is focusing on creating reserves where possible to offset the loss of stimulus funding.
State’s public employees’ pension fund could be in for riskier investment bets
Chasing bigger investment returns, the agency that manages Florida’s $113.8 billion public pension fund wants to make far riskier investment bets.
Editorial: Public employees must pay more for insurance benefit
Faced with the loss of $30 million in federal stimulus funds and the elimination of hundreds of jobs, Polk County School Board members are considering asking residents to pay more in property taxes to compensate.
Florida’s population growth hits a wall
For years, Florida municipalities routinely dominated the list of the Census Bureau’s fastest-growing U.S. cities. No more.
State Senator Nancy Detert: Florida’s race for education grant puts challenges in focus
Monday I attended a one-day forum in Washington, D.C., at the request of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The meeting was attended by approximately 35 legislators from Hawaii to Massachusetts.
Opposition to Amendment 4 picks up steam in North Florida
Amendment 4 – the so-called “Hometown Democracy” amendment on Florida ballots this November – has proven especially divisive in South Florida, where both the Sun-Sentinel and The Palm Beach Post have openly voiced their opposition. Recently, though, the issue has begun to heat up in North Florida.
Shift Sought for Fla. Pension System
State agency wants to make more investments in hedge funds
Chasing bigger investment returns, the agency that manages Florida’s $113.8 billion public pension fund wants to make far riskier investment bets.
New York Governor: Non-school property taxes should be capped
New York should cap property taxes assessed by counties, cities and towns, but not for schools, although they account for 65 percent of the levy, Governor David Paterson said on Tuesday.
New Jersey Governor’s property tax cap plan stalled
Newark’s Democratic mayor may be a fan of Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to cap property tax increases through a constitutional amendment, but to get it on the ballot, the Republican governor will need support from more than Democratic mayors.
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