Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–June 24

 

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Sen. Haridopolos calls for public debates on ‘tax swap’ amendment

One of the Legislature’s top money managers enlisted several business, education, health care and civic organizations Monday to fight the “tax swap” amendment on Florida’s ballot next fall.

‘Tax swap’ amendment is under fire by unusual allies

An unusual alliance is set to battle a constitutional amendment that would drop property taxes by 25 percent in exchange for an increase in the state sales tax.

Many lining up to fight ‘tax swap’ idea with summer blitz

A broad coalition ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to banks, retiree advocates and schoolteachers is lined up to oppose the $9 billion-plus property tax swap on the Nov. 4 ballot known as Amendment 5.

State Revenue Erodes Further As Sales Tax Brings In Less

Florida’s revenue for May came in $123.1 million below estimates, with plummeting sales and corporate income tax accounting for most of the shortfall.

Portability fails to heat housing market

Gov. Charlie Crist stood before hundreds of Realtors in Orlando last summer and predicted fantastic things about the property tax cuts on the January ballot. ‘Florida’s going to have a sonic boom when this happens,’ he said, using rhetoric he would repeat again and again over the next several months. ‘You’re going to be busier than you’ve been in your life. Get ready, get your rest, make sure your license is up to date.’ Five months after the vote, Florida is still waiting for the sonic boom.

School and government partnership advocated

Miami-Dade Schools Chief Rudy Crew and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz discussed education policy with city leaders.

Municipal governments and public school districts must work together to improve student achievement, Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz told civic leaders from across the country Sunday.

Summit convened by Jeb Bush seeks school changes

Vouchers, accountability and charter schools were among the themes of an education summit, which drew a heavily conservative crowd.

Hoping to invigorate a national dialogue about education reform, former Gov. Jeb Bush convened top education officials last week near Orlando for a two-day summit.

Fee feud starts at turn lane

Two of Hillsborough’s biggest governments are feuding over who will pay the massive costs associated with the area’s now-faded housing boom.

Alachua County School Superintendent Dan Boyd: Robbing Peter not to pay Paul

Florida’s Constitution states that it is a ‘paramount’ duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of children and describes adequate provision as a ‘uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools.” My copy of Webster’s New World Dictionary defines “paramount” as “ranking higher than any other.”