Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Nov. 9

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Falling property values predicted for Florida in ’08

State economists are forecasting that property values, for the first time in recent memory, will decrease statewide, which could lead to fewer government services.

 

Tax vote motivates mobile home owners

The prospect of saving a few bucks from a tax cut has energized mobile home residents across Florida.

 

D.C. Tax Scam Total Rises to $20 Million, Officials Say

A massive D.C. public theft case grew overnight from $16 million to $20 million as federal officials tracked down more than a dozen additional phony tax refund checks that they said flowed out of government coffers and into the hands of two D.C. tax employees and their co-conspirators.

 

Feds review Fla. voting laws

The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing the latest changes to state election laws to make sure they don’t impede voter registration drives or violate the rights of minorities in Hillsborough and four other counties.

 

Property tax vote is threshold’s big test

Few people appreciate the irony behind Florida’s Jan. 29 property tax amendment like Sen. Jim King of Jacksonville, who three years ago pushed to raise the approval threshold for constitutional amendments to a level that may now be too high for the very amendment King and fellow lawmakers want to pass.

 

State cuts resulting in lower raises for teachers

Efforts to tighten the budget in Tallahassee are putting a squeeze on this year’s teacher raises.

 

Martin County may see $19 million deficit by 2009

Martin County could face a budget deficit of more than $19 million in 2009 as a result of property tax reform if voters approve a referendum ballot question on Jan. 29, county officials said Tuesday.

 

County leaders seek pay raises with a price

After eight consecutive rejections by voters, Miami-Dade commissioners are again pushing for a more than 1,400-percent salary bump — but with strings attached.

 

Local impact of Legislature’s tax package worries Palm Beach County commissioners

With the ink barely dry on the Legislature’s property tax package, several Palm Beach County commissioners signaled Tuesday they’re poised to urge voters to reject the Jan. 29 referendum.

 

WEG CEO:  Defending the slots study

Fred Grimm’s Nov. 1 column, Slots’ payoff chump change for S. Florida, questioned the study that my firm, The Washington Economics Group (WEG), prepared assessing the local economic impacts of adding slot machines to existing gaming facilities in Miami-Dade County.

 

Speaker says House has say in gambling deal

House Speaker Marco Rubio shot another broadside at Charlie Crist this afternoon, warning that the governor does not have the sole authority to negotiate a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

 

Rubio: Crist can’t broker gambling agreement without legislative OK

Gov. Charlie Crist must seek state legislative approval if he wants a binding agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to expand casino-type gambling, House leaders contended Thursday.

 

Mills is Rubio ally on gambling

TALLAHASSEE – -House Speaker Marco Rubio has recruited another ally to bolster his contention that Gov. Charlie Crist cannot cut a deal on his own that would expand gambling on Seminole Indian land.

 

Debate heats up over efficacy of FCAT

A Tallahassee lawmaker gave Florida’s education commissioner an earful Wednesday, re-igniting an ongoing battle over high-stakes testing and school grades.

 

Every child left behind

Where has the childless movement gone? By Tim Cavanaugh November 9, 2007 If you like a consequence-free environment, you’ll love Tribune Co.’s employee benefits package.

 

Total lockdown after deputy’s shooting was a first for Broward County Public Schools

Boosted security at schools ‘new norm’

Code Yellow. All Broward County Public Schools had been placed on lockdown.  Wednesday was the first time those words were spoken and with them the normal rhythms of the school day were jolted. 

 

Teacher’s future up for vote

Several years after suspending Coral Springs High physics teacher David Menke without pay, the Broward School Board has a judge’s permission to fire him.

 

Why vouchers fail

Voters in conservative Utah have soundly rejected one of the pet causes of the modern conservative movement, with 62 percent voting Tuesday to kill a school voucher program enacted by the Utah Legislature.