Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–March 20

 

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Florida tax-trade proposal: If property taxes are cut, raise sales tax by 2 pennies

If voters in November decide to cut school property taxes by $9.6 billion, the next speaker of the Florida House said Tuesday he might raise the state’s 6-cent sales tax by two pennies or even more to make up the difference.

Florida’s $9.6 billion tax-cut plan could cost you money

If Florida voters pass the sweeping property tax cut headed for the November ballot, it could cost you more to hire a lawyer, get a haircut or go to the opera or race track.

Education advocates skeptical of tax plan

Already reeling from a 2 percent budget cut this year and looking at a billion dollars more in reductions next year, Florida’s school leaders awoke Tuesday to the possibility that the very structure that funds the state’s education system could now be overturned.

Tax-cut proposal leaves big questions

A massive tax-cut proposal promises big savings for property owners, but it leaves big questions.

The clearest aspects of Florida’s biggest tax overhaul effort on November’s ballot: billions in savings all but guaranteed for property owners and a just-as-likely sales-tax increase.

Critics challenge tax-cut proposal

Opponents of a measure aimed at cutting property taxes 25 percent have launched a quiet campaign hoping to thwart its placement on the November ballot.

Plan forces state to modernize tax system

The tax cut voters will be asked to approve in November will do much more than save property owners money.

EDITORIAL: Watchdog: Increasing sales tax has advantages

If you want real tax reform, plan to vote for the latest proposal headed for the November ballot.

OPINION: Be wary of expanding gambling

ISSUE: Senate backs broader gambling.

Some Find Florida’s Sports Pork Difficult To Digest

With more than $3 billion of prospective budget cuts looming for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, advocates for the poor, the disabled and teacher and state employee unions went on the offensive Tuesday with a news conference about the Legislature’s protection of corporate subsidies and tax breaks.

$42M surplus offsets Broward budget shortfall

There’s bad news and good news in Broward County’s continuing budget woes.

The bad: A $23 million shortfall in revenue collections this year caused by the sharp economic downturn — with potentially more to come.

Schools feel pinch; anticipate pain

As other districts brace for a state shortfall, Sarasota is first to unveil its planned cuts
Sarasota school officials presented $20 million in potential budget cuts on Tuesday, changes that would reach every classroom and affect every student in the county.

Browder: Schools to cut 150 jobs, $17 million from budget

The Lee County School Board originally got together Wednesday afternoon to discuss replacing the boards vacant auditor position.

Taxpayer help sought for county budget

In the wake of significant property-tax reform, and with more on the way, county officials have begun inviting residents to a series of budget workshops this summer in hopes that their input will help determine which programs are safer than others from the cutting floor.

Duval schools face budget ax

The Duval County School Board is a long way from deciding exactly what to cut from the school budget to compensate for about $86.6 million in lost revenue and rising costs. But this much is clear early on: Those cuts will come largely on the backs of individual schools and employees.

Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals says he is purposely opening up the budgeting process because he wants the public to understand how painful the cuts will be.

Pinellas middle schools might stretch school day for PE time

Pinellas middle schools would be allowed to offer more elective classes and possibly lengthen their day under a schedule change proposed by the district.

Martin teachers may lose back pay

Martin County teachers will have to ratify a contract their union leaders rejected or lose retroactive pay, the school board attorney said Wednesday.

Collier teachers ask board to overturn salary dispute ruling

Collier County teachers will ask the Collier County School Board to overturn a special magistrate’s ruling concerning the group’s salary dispute.

Senate propels voucher-expansion bill

A bill that would more than double the number of needy children given vouchers to go to private schools at public expense advanced Wednesday in the Florida Senate.

Bill to curb school bullying clears first hurdle

A bill to curb school bullying cleared its first Senate hearing unanimously Wednesday, including a vote of support from a major former opponent.

FSU academics cry foul over funds

Florida State University professor Howard Goldstein has worked at the university for 12 years. He said the school, for most of that time, has been on the cutting edge of the academic world.

UF gets $9.7 million toward new school

It has been a little more than a year since William Hough gave the University of Florida its largest single gift in history, and since that time other donors have been giving millions to help build a school in his name.