Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–November 19
Nov 19, 2008
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Democrats draw ‘line in the sand’
New Senate Democratic leader Al Lawson pledged Monday to oppose further budget cuts to public schools and universities, setting up a clash with Republicans. ‘We’re drawing a line in the sand,’ Lawson said after fellow Democrats voted him their leader in a brief ceremony on the Senate floor.
Public Pension Fund Value Has Shed 27 Percent
Florida’s public employee pension plan has lost more than a quarter of its peak value, but Gov. Charlie Crist and other officials Monday said the fund is built for the long haul and there’s no need to panic.
Sansom lukewarm on special session
Florida CFO Alex Sinks believes one is necessary to address revenue shortfall
State Rep. Ray Sansom may consider a special session of the Legislature to address Florida’s revenue shortfall, but not before he gets revenue estimates at a conference next Friday, he said.
Legislators want special budget shortfall session after numbers are in
Treasure Coast legislators, off to Tallahassee for Tuesday’s biennial organizational meetings, agree with Gov. Crist that talk of a special session on the latest projected $1 billion budget shortfall should wait until the quarterly revenue update is released later this week.
New Florida Legislature leaders face budget challenges
Two new Republican leaders will be sworn in to the Florida Legislature’s top jobs Tuesday in a one-day ceremonial session designed to be more celebration than business.
Fla. budget cuts exhausting school reserve funds
The state’s public schools have laid off lunchroom workers and bus drivers, slashed administration, put maintenance on hold and soon will exhaust their reserve funds.
Any more budget cuts, though, would reach into the classroom, said Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association.
Economic problems loom large over state
With Florida’s economy sinking, state lawmakers slashed money for schools, health care and dozens of other programs as they drew up this year’s budget.
Florida Senate president extends olive branch to former rival
The incoming state Senate president patched up a two-year rift by naming a former rival to a powerful committee chairmanship.
In an peace offering, incoming Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater on Thursday named his former rival Miami Sen. Alex Villalobos to the powerful post of Senate rules chairman.
State school leaders mention the ‘T’ word – taxes
If it would prevent more budget cuts to Florida schools, would you pay a dime more for a frosty brew down at Four Green Fields?
COMMENTARY: It’s time we started bailing out education
Rick Wagoner took home $15.7 million last year and his company lost $39 billion.
Residents paying the price for tax cuts in South Florida
Weston homeowner Tony Steinbuck fights fires for a living, but even he is incensed by the more than 50 percent increase in fire fees imposed by his city. ‘It’s a big scam,’ said Steinbuck, 47, a Palm Beach County firefighter whose bill jumped from $232 to $357.
COLUMN: Cities and counties can team up for economic successes
With the hoopla of the election finally behind us, attention shifts to the real work of government, providing leadership in difficult times. Newly elected officials, from city councils to the state Legislature to Washington, face economic challenges not seen in many years.
Federal grants to be used to buy up South Florida foreclosures
South Florida governments are gearing up to spend more than $161 million in federal grant money to stimulate the housing market.
The buyer of that ramshackle foreclosure down the street just might be the government.
Broward extends deadline for property-tax discount
The county’s Revenue Collection Division typically mails most tax bills by Nov. 1. But this year, Broward finished sending the majority of bills by Nov. 4.
By the numbers: Breakdown of Broward County fees
Breakdown of fees paid by Broward County citizens.
By the numbers: Breakdown of fees in Palm Beach County
Breakdown of fees paid by Palm Beach County citizens.
Florida City must prioritize budget issues because of the economy
Florida City wants to expand its redevelopment area but faces a budget reality that it won’t be able to afford all of its proposed projects — at least for now.
Miami-Dade leaders admit transit tax has failed
Miami-Dade officials will publicly discuss how the 2002-approved transit tax failed to deliver its promises and what are the options left on the table.
Miami-Dade elected leaders will gather Saturday for an unusual summit at which they will publicly acknowledge they can’t come close to delivering all the promises of the half-cent sales tax approved in 2002.
Miami City Commission approves homeowner loans
Miami commissioners launched a foreclosure prevention program, while also speeding up capital improvement projects to increase jobs.
With their city saddled with thousands of foreclosures, Miami commissioners Thursday launched a forgivable-loan program designed to help struggling homeowners keep their homes.
Tampa To Buy Foreclosed, Abandoned Homes
City officials unveiled plans Thursday to buy more than 100 foreclosed and abandoned homes in neighborhoods hardest hit by the mortgage crisis.
Manatee looks at higher resort tax
Visitors could pay more local taxes on hotel and motel rooms if the county tries to counter a potentially significant drop in revenue for advertising, beach erosion control and other tourism-related programs.
Manatee looks for private partners
With tax revenue down and the economy struggling, Manatee County is instituting a new, informal policy: “Question everything.”
A growing list of the region’s cities and counties are temporarily reducing or eliminating impact fees to stimulate a nearly prostrate construction industry.
COLUMN: Stadium boosts tourism — a legitimate use of the tourist tax
One of the taxes that affect local-resident taxpayers the least has been in the news a lot lately.
For months, Sarasota County has debated whether to commit some, none or more of its Tourist Development Tax to partially fund construction of a new baseball stadium.
Weston drops plan to take over schools
Weston abandoned the idea of running nine public schools itself.
Putting aside their ire with the Broward School District, Weston city commissioners voted Monday night to give up on an idea to take over all the schools within the city’s borders.
Miami-Dade School Board OK’s $89M in budget cuts
In a strong show of support for Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, the Miami-Dade School Board unanimously approved a plan to slash $89 million from the school system’s budget.
4 failing schools in Miami-Dade will stay open
Four low-performing Miami-Dade schools won’t be closing at the end of the school year — even if they fail to make dramatic gains.
If Miami-Dade’s four chronically failing schools don’t make dramatic improvement this year, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho will take them over and manage them himself, he told the School Board Friday.
Miami-Dade School Board welcomes new member
Retired principal Larry Feldman officially became a member of the Miami-Dade School Board Tuesday morning.
Palm Beach County School Board devises plan to guide school closings
Community would have more input into decision
The next time there’s an attempt to close a Palm Beach County school, it should go a lot smoother.
Department of Education getting rid of summer retakes, discontinuing network that allows parents to check students’ scores
High school students will have one less chance to take the 10th grade FCAT.
Obama tax credit proposal could provide free tuition in Florida
College tuition costs for Florida residents could become significantly cheaper, or even free, if a campaign proposal from president-elect Barack Obama becomes law.
COLUMN: Bright Futures rumors squelched
This time, I heard it from my wife, who heard it from a friend, who heard it at her daughter’s high school in Palm Bay.
I’m talking about the annual rumor that Bright Futures scholarships will come to an end.
Public records request causes controversy
These days, Lakeland resident Joel Chandler is not very popular with many public school employees around Florida.
Foreclosures expected to alter home values
In a sign of how the real estate market has imploded, property appraisers plan to figure in foreclosure sales when they value homes next year.
U.S. Sugar pollution cleanup could cost Florida $44 million
Chemicals sponged into the farmlands the state is purchasing from U.S. Sugar Corp. to restore the Everglades will cost taxpayers an estimated $44 million to clean, an environmental analysis shows.
Florida sees decrease in tourism
Florida saw a 3.2 percent drop in tourism between July and September, a stretch of time that saw record gas prices, economic turmoil and a string of hurricane scares.
Governor Crist Appoints Hart to the School Board of Lafayette County
Governor Charlie Crist today announced the appointment of Glenda Hart to the School Board of Lafayette County. Hart, 62, of Mayo, homemaker, will fill the vacancy created by the passing of Robert “Andy” Hart.
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