Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Nov. 7

 

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Nearly a year in, and all’s well for Gov. Crist

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Charlie Crist’s political theories are as simple as a pop music jingle.’When people honor you by giving their vote, we break their hearts if we don’t at least try,’ he said.

 

Vegas-style slots could come to Florida Indian casinos

The federal government told Gov. Charlie Crist that it will take steps to allow expanded gambling in Seminole Indian casinos if he doesn’t reach an agreement with the tribe by Nov. 15.

 

State auditors criticize nearly $500,000 severance package for former FAU vice president

Florida Atlantic University failed to show why it was necessary to give a former fundraiser $495,661 in severance pay, a state audit found.

 

Property tax reform may mean $15M hit to county budget

County leaders already are bracing for more state property tax reform, which they think could mean another $15 million hit to Manatee’s budget.

 

Should property appraiser be an elected official?

On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Commission voted 8-3 to let voters decide on Jan. 29 whether the county’s property appraiser should be an elected figure, giving the official the freedom to speak his or her mind and lobby on property tax issues. Broward’s property appraiser is elected.

 

Manatee Schools assess effect of tax-reform

If voters in January pass a constitutional amendment to cut property taxes, Manatee County schools may see longer bus routes, a decrease in elective courses and cuts in extracurricular funding, jobs and salaries, officials say.

 

Mark O’Brien: Nonprofits hope governmental aid will roll right down their alley

Calling all bowlers.Yours may be the only group that’s not getting a government handout or subsidy.Everyone else is on the governmental gravy train or scrambling to get aboard.

 

Last year’s FCAT available to public

Last school year’s Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT) were made available to the public Tuesday in an effort to better prepare students for the exams.

 

51,000 Broward students can skip FCAT practice test

The Broward school district is trying to change an all-FCAT, all-the-time culture, one step at a time.

 

Palm Beach County may face cutting $52 million more in ’08

WEST PALM BEACH Palm Beach County commissioners could be forced to slash $52 million from next year’s budget based on property tax reform measures voters will consider in January.

 

Angry voters cast their ballots against growth

Sarasota County’s anti-growth movement has rarely appeared stronger than it did at the polls Tuesday. Ignoring strong lobbying from the business community, voters in the city of Sarasota and Sarasota County overwhelmingly approved supermajority measures.

 

Anti-tax mood fails to tarnish ‘penny’

Voters are not pinching their pennies when it comes to government and school construction projects.

 

Do your homework on property tax plan

That’s how long it is until the Jan. 29 referendum on property tax reform a package of proposals that will affect every Florida resident whether we own property or not.

 

Georgia’s Governor Perdue: Don’t rush to change taxes

Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson began releasing details Monday of his plan to eliminate property taxes, but Gov. Sonny Perdue said the state shouldn’t rush to fix a tax system that’s not broken.

 

Trust funds two land conservation projects

Two Alachua County Forever land conservation projects earned some state money Friday, giving the program a shot of cash just when its money is running out.

 

Schwarzenegger orders drastic spending cuts

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday ordered all state departments to draft plans for deep spending cuts after receiving word that California’s budget is plunging deeply into the red — largely because of the troubled housing market.

 

Star ratings aim to help child care reach higher

It’s Circle Time at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Preschool, and pre-kindergartners are wiggling around and singing: “If you’re glad you came to school and you think it’s really cool, if you’re glad you came to school clap your hands.”

 

Merit pay for Hernando teachers heads to new vote

Merit pay for Hernando teachers heads to new vote The School Board sends the issue back to teachers because of its high price.

 

Florida universities’ tuition increase just the beginning

It’s official: The University of Central Florida on Tuesday approved a 5 percent tuition increase starting this spring.

 

County, teachers agree on pay plan

After months of wrestling with higher health-care costs, insurance deductibles and co-pays, union leaders and Escambia County School District administrators have agreed on a pay and benefits package.

 

Should she get $2.7 million?

A North Florida woman who says the state Department of Education discriminated against her because shes a Christian would get $2.7 million in relief from the state under a bill filed by Sen. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge.

 

Family awarded $6 million in bus death

Three years ago, Nhora Acosta boarded a Miami-Dade County bus on Southwest Eighth Street on her way to a baby-sitting job on Key Biscayne, when the bus suddenly jolted to a stop.

 

School district looks at housing as teacher draw

School district looks at housing as teacher draw Under one plan, the district would donate land to build town homes for some employees.

 

Students Call Protest Punishment Too Harsh

A school superintendent’s decision to suspend, and perhaps expel, about two dozen students who took part in a protest against the Iraq war at a suburban high school drew criticism Tuesday from the students and their parents, who demanded that their children be allowed to return to classes.

 

Merit pay for Hernando teachers heads to new vote

Merit pay for Hernando teachers heads to new vote The School Board sends the issue back to teachers because of its high price.

 

Board approves no-bid contract

TAMPA – The Hillsborough School Board awarded a no-bid contract for $158,000 Tuesday to a company headed by a longtime employee.

 

School Board member falls ill, leaves meeting

TAMPA – School Board member Jennifer Faliero left a board meeting today during the middle of a heated discussion about the hiring of a school district consultant.