Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–March 4
Mar 4, 2009
Above: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist called his Tuesday State of the State address ‘a dose of reality.’
To view a complete story, click on the headline below:
Governor Crist: We Must Spend To Jolt Economy
In a short and perfunctory State of the State speech on Tuesday evening, Gov. Charlie Crist urged the Legislature on Tuesday to rally behind his plan to spend billions in federal stimulus money as ”a bridge to better economic times” in Florida.
Crist’s Tax Cut Plans Could Limit Options For Lawmakers
A three-year economic slump has Republican leaders in the Florida Legislature talking about a once-taboo topic: tax increases.
Marine Industry Tax Rules Reconsidered
After winning voter approval of a measure to tax waterfront businesses based on its current use instead of the highest potential use, Florida’s marine industry is tracking legislation that will lay out how the state implements the tax measure.
Dade, Broward schools hope for breaks from lawmakers
Even if Florida gets a full share of the federal stimulus dollars for education, school districts across the state will likely have to cut their budgets for next year.
EDITORIAL: Desperate Budgetary Times Do Not Call For Desperate Measures
Today’s opening of the general session of the Florida Legislature is all about the money. If you doubt that, consider this: State lawmakers must – once again – reconcile a deficit in the current budget. That’s on top of trying to balance a new budget shortfall that could reach $5 billion.
Florida Schools Money Woes May Get Worse
Hammered by state budget cuts, Florida school districts have spent the past year trimming programs, eliminating jobs and even closing schools.
Stimulus Stirs The Pot As Hard Budget Choices Await Florida Lawmakers
With taxes or fees likely to rise and some state services facing the ax, this is a year lawmakers will have little to brag about.
Letter To The Editor: ‘Fixing’ Property Tax System Surest Way To Become Next California
Recently, a Sun Sentinel editorial called for a fix to the “the inequitable tax system” in Florida.
Miami-Dade Teachers Union Hires Auditor To Study District’s Finances
The Miami-Dade teachers union on Monday launched a campaign to expose ”wasteful spending” in the school district.
Clay County Schools Eliminate 450 Jobs, Including 270 Teachers
Unanimously but reluctantly, the Clay County School Board on Monday eliminated 450 jobs, including about 270 instructional teachers, part of a wide ranging budget-cutting plan recommended by Superintendent Ben Wortham, who projected declining state and local revenues will leave the school district with a $43 million shortfall for 2009-10.
POLL: Proposed Bill Would Bring Contraceptive Education To Schools
A state bill that has been reintroduced this year after failing to get a hearing last year. The Florida Healthy Teens Act would change the way Collier and Lee County School District students are taught sex education.
Manatee County School Board Favors Waiving Impact Fees
With the county’s once-booming construction industry in the doldrums, the Manatee County School Board may waive impact fees for up to three years.
EPA to start testing for toxic air pollution at sample of schools in cities, near industry
The Environmental Protection Agency will soon begin testing the air around schools for toxic contaminants.
‘Helicopter’ Parenting Delivers benefits
Some researchers have begun to argue that late adolescence and young adulthood are such minefields today that there are valid reasons for parents to remain deeply involved in their children’s lives even after the kids are, technically speaking, adults.
Voters Split On Buying Land For Everglades, Poll Says
Voters remain split on the virtue of spending $1.34 billion of taxpayer money for farmland targeted for Everglades restoration, according to a poll commissioned by Glades leaders opposing the deal.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.