Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Oct. 1

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PIP added to session

Sidestepping a property-tax showdown, Gov. Charlie Crist decided Monday to add no-fault auto insurance to this week’s special lawmaking session but said legislators would have to call a property-tax session of their own.

 

Lawmakers to deal with no-fault, tax relief at separate sessions

Gov. Charlie Crist directed the Legislature to consider restoring Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system as it expired Monday and announced lawmakers separately would take up property tax relief – again.

 

Representative Dan Gelber:  No more governing in Tallahassee shadows

These days, lots of important decisions about your life are being made in Tallahassee. How much property tax you will pay, what kind of insurance you can buy, whether public education and health care will be financed adequately.

 

For GOP, fixing property tax bill could kill it

Legislators aren’t sure what, if anything, to do about the bill.

When property tax notices arrived in mailboxes this summer, Florida had a Where’s The Beef? moment. Yes, tax bills went down, as legislators promised. But homeowners hoping for dramatic relief were sorely disappointed.

 

Hospitals, schools targeted as legislators cut $1 billion

South Florida hospitals, schools and college students’ wallets are set to get whacked by the budget ax as the Legislature this week prepares to chop state spending by $1 billion.

 

Lawmakers must approach state budget with scissors

The Florida Legislature will convene Wednesday to cut about $1-billion from the current year’s $72-billion budget. Here are some questions and answers about the special session.

 

New Florida law dramatically increases sex crime penalties

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s sex predator penalties became among the nation’s toughest Monday as a new law took effect tripling maximum sentences to 15 years for solicitation and child pornography.

 

Cut budget with care, without gimmicks

There is no painless way to cut more than $1-billion from a state budget that already doesn’t come close to meeting Florida’s needs.

 

Praise, criticism dot career of top candidate for education chief

People either love or hate Eric J. Smith.  To some, he is the man who erased decades of disparity between the performance of white and minority students.

 

Public TV Funding Cut Spurs Suit

Read The Lawsuit

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Community Network has sued Hillsborough County commissioners in federal court, seeking restoration of the budget for public access television. 

 

Belt-Tightening Will Hurt But Should Benefit Florida

The Legislature convenes Wednesday for a third session this year, this time to cut some $1.5 billion from the state’s $72 billion budget. It will be painful, but it can be done.

 

Ruling clarified; schools relieved

School districts statewide rejoiced Friday when the Florida Supreme Court clarified an earlier ruling, clearing up questions about a certain type of financing used in new school construction.

 

Shooting Case Raises Questions About District’s Credibility

If Hillsborough County public school officials want parents to trust them with their children, they need to be responsive and honest.

 

New budget advisory panel welcome if it county learned from past mistakes

New budget panel, minus old problems, can help

One of the bumps in the road to getting a 2008 budget was the Budget Advisory Committee. Set up only last December, the board had all sorts of problems and was disbanded unceremoniously.

 

Bob Graham:  Storm Warning: Special session must address state’s long-term issues

When Hurricane Humberto slammed into Texas two weeks ago, I was reminded that ‘we Floridians know something about violent tropical weather.

 

Consumers not happy as Lauderdale airport parking rates go up

Planes aren’t the only things taking off at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport — so are parking prices.

 

Borrowing option for schools

School districts and bondholders sighed in relief Friday as the Florida Supreme Court made clear that more than $12 billion in borrowing was not endangered by a ruling earlier this month.

 

Bond ruling paves way for big school projects

More than $100 million in new Palm Beach County schools and additions no longer are in jeopardy after the Florida Supreme Court on Friday revised a ruling that had cast doubt on the way local governments and school districts pay for construction.

 

Editorial: Secrecy, open government don’t mix

With a special session about to begin and an agenda that includes some of the most significant public business in years, secrecy is once again the rule in the state capital.

 

Side issues to shape legislative session

Budget shortfall key agenda item

Budget shortfalls, a property tax amendment, no-fault insurance, casino-style gambling, leasing out the Florida Lottery, even government in the sunshine.

 

Single-sex classes getting tryout at some PBC schools

Many split on tactic aimed at removing social distractions

One thing West Riviera fifth-grade teacher Robert Slydell noticed with his new class: They’ll take charge if he lets them.