Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–March 27

 

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Church-state battle heads to the ballot

Wading into a church-state fight, a powerful Florida tax commission decided Wednesday to ask voters if the state should become the first in the nation to remove constitutional language that clearly prohibits spending public money on religious institutions.

Proposed amendment to Florida Constitution echoes school-voucher battles

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission voted Wednesday to remove Florida’s constitutional ban on state aid for religious institutions, a move that could revive a controversial voucher program that enrolled children in church-run schools.

Religious school funding on ballot

Tax commission decides to let voters weigh in on vouchers

The state’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission entered the centuries-old battle of church versus state Wednesday, narrowly agreeing to give voters the chance in November to remove the constitutional ban on using taxpayer money for religious-based institutions.

Schools face 1.2 percent budget cut in House plan

For the first time in almost four decades, Florida public schools would absorb a year-to-year reduction in state dollars under grim budget proposals released Tuesday.

Vote on tax-cap proposal postponed for week

The sponsor of a plan to put a strict cap on all governments’ tax revenues into the state Constitution struggled to keep the issue alive Wednesday and postponed a vote on whether to put it on the November ballot.

Schools’ budgets take hit; Bright Futures whole

Public schools and universities took their third cut in funding in two years under preliminary budgets released Tuesday by the House and Senate.

Proposed education budget cuts are a dark cloud hanging over the Sunshine State athletics

Next week’s spring break may not be very restful for Central Florida school administrators — including those who oversee athletics. Proposed education budget cuts are again a dark cloud hanging over the Sunshine State.

Florida tax protesters tramp into Crist’s office

Their anger was etched on weary faces, carried in chants and scrawled across signs mocking Gov. Charlie Crist’s promise to drop property taxes “like a rock.”

EDITORIAL: Finally, Tax Reform Surfaces Worth Voting For In November

The tax cuts voters approved in January will save a typical homeowner only about $240 a year.

Panel won’t pursue class-size changes

A proposal to have voters revisit the 2002 state constitutional amendment limiting school class sizes stalled in the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission on Wednesday.

EDITORIAL: ‘Racinos’? How about ‘classinos’?

Florida depends more and more on gambling to pay for education. Why not go all in?

EDITORIAL: Look to Cigarettes For Budget

Increasing Florida’s outdated tax on cigarettes would have been wise a few years ago when the economy was soaring.

Lauderdale Lakes may sue School Board

Broward County’s school system has failed students at Lauderdale Lakes’ sole public high school.

School officials consider lawsuit on budget cuts

During a news conference where they lamented state budget cuts, Duval County public school officials left open the possibility of suing the state if it fails to provide relief from the local school system’s expected $86.6 million budget shortfall.

OPINION: Public Schools: Cheating the kids

While the Duval County public school leaders are trying to manage their budget in a deliberate way, they are being whipsawed by proposals from the Florida Legislature.

Lee schools face big cuts in budget

Lee superintendent gives board initial reductions

Hundreds of jobs, transportation employees’ overtime and most field trips among other Lee County School District services are on the chopping block for next year as it faces cuts of up to $30 million in state money.

School revenue shortfalls are twice original estimate

Financial experts told the School Board that education revenue shortfalls next school year likely will reach $25 million in Marion County, more than double original estimates.

Volusia board may cut school impact fee

The ailing housing industry may get a break when Volusia County’s school impact fee is reset later this year, but it’s not likely to be as much as some homebuilders would like.

School Board considers funding sources for second high school in North Port

School Board members clarify high school confusion.

Following the City Commission’s impromptu grilling of two Sarasota County School District employees recently about the lack of a second high school for North Port, School Board members were quick to backpedal.

Don’t delay our pay increases, Pasco teachers say

No way.

$92M Minneola high school may be built in phases

A proposed $92 million high school — the single most expensive addition in Lake County’s planned campuses — could be built in phases over several years to resolve tough budget constraints and increasing demands for more classrooms.

College tuition may rise 6 percent

Officials blame budget cutbacks

Students in Florida colleges and universities could face a 6 percent tuition increase as lawmakers say they plan the increase to help offset state budget cuts.

Tuition-Education Amendment passes in Senate

The Senate has passed a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ensure the Legislature, not a board overseeing state universities, has authority to set tuition.

EDITORIAL: Don’t kill Bright Futures, but increase tuition to improve Florida universities

It’s the best deal in U.S. higher education, but too many people are getting it free
For $65 a week, you, too, can walk away with a sheepskin from a state university in Florida. It might be the best bargain money can buy.

State universities seek $18M security upgrade

Florida’s public universities have come up with a laundry list of steps to make their campuses safer in the post- Virginia Tech world of higher education.

Science-classroom bill on evolution is toned down

A bill to ensure teachers can scientifically criticize evolution was made less controversial Wednesday when it was rewritten to all but bar the controversial theory of intelligent design in science classrooms.

Private scholarships, anti-bullying measures advance in House

If the state pays about $7,100 for each K-12 student, while about 20,000 mostly minority students can attend private school on scholarship for about $3,750 each, it’s only logical that the public school students are getting about twice as much education.

Election Day could be holiday for schools

Voters who file into county schools this November to cast their ballots in the national elections may notice a change from previous years – no kids.

EDITORIAL: Lynn’s gesture helps; now the bigger issue

State Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, on Monday correctly asked Florida State University to suspend her pay for directing a reading outreach center in Daytona Beach that she helped create as a legislator.

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