Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–June 4

Jun 4, 2009

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Governor Crist Signs Legislation to Ensure Fairness in Tax Assessments

Added protection for Florida homeowners and owners of business, rental or second-home properties

Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation that will continue his efforts to protect Florida homeowners and property owners.

 

Commentary: Crist & Co. pave way for lower home values

Charlie Crist and his Republican cohorts just depressed the future value of your house.

 

Miami-Dade mayor: Property tax hike likely

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said property tax hikes are ‘almost impossible’ to avoid, but some commissioners are adamantly against squeezing homeowners.

In the wake of Miami-Dade’s plummeting property tax values, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said a tax hike for homeowners is nearly inevitable in order to plug a budget hole pegged at anywhere between $350 million to $400 million.

     

    Alachua School Board considers ‘tax swap’ to gain $700K

    Alachua County School Board members are in the early stages of discussing a complex “tax swap” plan that could increase revenue via an additional quarter-mill property tax without increasing property tax bills.

     

    Lee County school district in arrears on taxes

    Not only did one of its leaders fail to pay some of her 2008 property taxes, the school district itself owes almost $40,000 in delinquent taxes, according to the Lee County Tax Collector’s office.

     

    Short on funds, districts declare fiscal emergency

    These days, Monticello Schools Superintendent Bill Brumfield finds himself frequently turning to passages in the brown leather Bible resting on his desk. His school district is losing students.

     

    New Jacksonville businesses mean new homeowners

    Some grew up in the area and become first-time homebuyers. Others save and opt for homeownership over renting. Still others relocate to the Jacksonville area for various reasons. Thats where local economic development officials come in.

     

    State ranks 48th in economic growth

    This shouldn’t surprise many Floridians, but the Sunshine State ranked 48th in the country in economic growth in 2008, according to new federal data.

     

    Region’s economy to shrink further

    Central Florida’s incredible shrinking economy will continue its vanishing act this month, according to the Sentinel’s Central Florida Economic Index.

     

    Pending sales for homes headed up

    Realtors are optimistic, but mortgage brokers remain wary

    The National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday that the number of homes under contract for sale in April posted the largest monthly jump in nearly eight years.

     

    Orange County looks to raise money with affinity cards

    The School Board pushed for alternative ways to raise money during the budget crisis and — as they like to say — decided that spending money might make a little money.

     

    The Broward Teachers Union plans to sue the school district over retirement

    Marlene Sanders had been told in December she could delay her retirement one more year and continue working as guidance director at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

     

    Kids can — virtually — go to school online

    Volusia and Flagler students in kindergarten through high school will have a new option beginning in August to complete some — or all — of their classes online.

     

    Cuts in high school sports may be reconsidered

    After wide-spread criticism, a state board is to re-examine its decision

    A decision to cut high school sports schedules for two years to save money could be reconsidered Friday, amid criticism that Florida’s student athletes were used for political fodder.

     

    Business leaders seek road map to future

    Gainesville summit pushes involvement in Florida politics.

    Florida businesses of all sizes need to get involved in state politics and rally around a unified plan to influence the policies that affect them, speakers said Wednesday at a forum in Gainesville.

     

    Negron, Ramos to square off to replace Pruitt

    Former state Rep. Joe Negron and two-time state House candidate Bill Ramos said they will focus on issues as they face off in a special election to replace state Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.

     

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