Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–March 18
Mar 18, 2010
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Sarasota County school tax prevails by a decisive margin
Even with high unemployment, a foreclosure crisis and a lingering recession, Sarasota voters Tuesday renewed a special tax for schools by a record margin.
Florida lawmakers seek tax breaks and fee cuts despite a budget shortfall
After raising $2.2 billion in new taxes and fees last year, Florida legislators want to erase that memory this election year with proposals to roll back auto registration fees and steer up to $100 million to businesses in tax incentives.
Bill to boost Florida local tax haul for rooms booked online stalls
When the PriceLine Negotiator or the Roaming Gnome gets you a good deal on a hotel room, he’s paying less in hotel room taxes than you would be if you booked the room yourself.
Editorial: Tax breaks could further erode fiscal discipline
Thank goodness the Florida Constitution requires that lawmakers pass a balanced budget every year.
Florida Department of Management Services break-up plan clears hurdle
Senate sponsor says proposal would return agency to ‘core functions’
A plan to break up the Department of Management Services cleared a key Senate committee Wednesday with its sponsor saying he’s not punishing employees for saving the state money.
Broward parents lobby to keep elementary school electives
Budget cuts could cost art, music, physical education and media classes.
Orange school tax hike possible; 4-day week this summer
“I really feel we’re up against the wall” – board vice-chairwoman Daryl Flynn.
Orange County school leaders are looking at raising taxes slightly and moving to a four-day workweek this summer to begin plugging holes in the district’s shrinking budget.
Bill increasing voucher money passes Florida Senate committee
A bill that would increase the amount of tax money paying for vouchers so poor children can attend private schools passed a key committee in the state Senate today.
Florida’s foreclosure backlog among nation’s worst
A crushing backlog of foreclosure cases has pushed Florida’s courts to request a one-time payment of $9.6 million to help purge the system and quicken a market recovery.
Florida House panel passes school prayer bill; opponents call it unconstitutional
Teachers could pray with their students under a controversial bill that cleared its first hurdle in the Florida House on Wednesday.
Florida Senate panel OKs changes for high school students
It would replace FCAT with end of course tests in various subjects.
A bill that would require high school students to pass end-of-year tests in several subjects and toughen curriculum standards passed a key Senate committee Tuesday, setting up a vote on the Senate floor.
Florida Senate bills would reduce Bright Futures scholarships, boost private school vouchers
A Florida Senate panel on Tuesday approved a second year of cutbacks for the popular Bright Futures scholarships, citing declining tax collections.
Escambia School Board gives OK to Camelot contract
More than a hundred angry workers attend meeting
The Escambia County School Board shot down abuse allegations directed at Camelot Schools of Pennsylvania and voted 4-1 on Tuesday to contract with the company to provide alternative education services.
Florida lawmakers seeking criminal background checks for caregivers of most vulnerable
Legislation that would tighten screening and criminal background checks for people who work with children, seniors and disabled people is coming up for a vote in the Florida House.
Florida universities considering health consortium
The Board of Governors is considering a recommendation to form a purchasing consortium for health care insurance covering students at Florida’s state universities.
Editorial: Dishonoring teachers
Brevard lawmakers should oppose bill to strip local control of schools
Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature has local control of public schools in its gun sights this year.
The Florida Legislature is looking for low-hanging fruit to lop from its budget tree. And eliminating $21 million for public libraries must seem very tempting. Lawmakers have already reduced library funding by more than a third in recent years, so why not keep trimming?
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