Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Oct. 24

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Tax cap plan’s effect on schools may spell trouble

When Legislators arrived last week to agree on a property tax cut package, one of their major goals was to minimize the impact on public schools.

 

Senate Restores Bush’s Cuts, Passes Health, Education Bill

Senate Democrats on Tuesday reversed President Bush’s cuts to education, health research and grants to local entities as they gird for Bush’s first-ever veto of a regular appropriations bill. 

 

Our view: Dealing in the dark

Forget government in the sunshine.

Forget Florida’s pride in having one of the most open governments in the nation. So far, Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist seem convinced they have the right of kings to decide in secret what they want to do, then drop it on everyone as a done deal. 

 

Property tax clock may work against House’s better mousetrap

House members think they have built a better mousetrap, but time may be on the Senate’s side in a showdown over property tax relief.

 

Progress stalls on tax talks; deadline looms

As the centerpiece of the House property tax plan comes under fire, lawmakers raised doubts about whether they can reach an accord.

 

House passes tax bill, but senators stay home

The House overwhelmingly passed an $11 billion property-tax amendment Monday night with promises of savings for homeowners and tax limits for businesses and second homeowners.

 

Tax Talk’s Slow Pace May Jeopardize Vote

Despite months of promising to cut property taxes, lawmakers may miss next week’s deadline to give Floridians a chance to vote on an $11 billion tax cut in January.

 

Letter to the Editor:  Leaders spin taxes for own gain

Since the final Hernando County Commission budget hearing on Sept. 27, our elected ‘leaders’ have been trying to take all the glory and credit for what they are calling ‘the largest tax cut in Hernando County history.’ Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.

 

Senator makes a pitch for tax plan

State Sen. Larcenia Bullard met with the Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association to discuss the Senate’s property-tax reform proposal.

After two hours of discussion with State Sen. Larcenia Bullard, members of the Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association learned the ins and outs of applying for state funding and learned more about why the Legislature has had such a difficult time preparing for the tax-reform referendum scheduled for Jan. 29. 

 

Palm Beach County School Board to weigh policy on blocking Web sites

Every so often, controversies emerge over whether certain Web sites belong on school computers. Soon, decisions to block or unblock them may be made by a new group of district officials.

 

Gifted education in sights

Last time Florida lawmakers tried to change funding for gifted education, the advocates came out of the woodwork to beat the proposed bill into submission. This time around, the folks who want to alter the system are reaching out to the parent groups early.

 

Florida takes educational leap into 21st century

About time for evolution

Florida’s public education system has finally evolved to the point where evolution can be taught.

 

Broward County administrator quits after 16 months on the job

Broward County administrator quits after 16 months on the job Deal with commissioners includes six months’ severance

Pam Brangaccio’s rocky tenure at the helm of Broward County government ended Tuesday just 16 months after it started, doomed by a lack of trust among her bosses on the County Commission.

 

Program to Deter High School Dropouts by Offering College Courses Is Approved

Trying to improve New Yorks high school graduation rates, state education officials are proposing to place 12,000 potential dropouts a year in college classes while they are still in high school.

 

A Lesson In Stealing Pensions

Ostensibly, union leaders have one purpose – to protect and advance the interests of their members, push ing for higher wages, better health and pension benefits, etc.

 

School product-label fundraisers get out of hand

Stacks of cereal box tops litter my kitchen counter. They accumulate alongside soup can labels, plastic milk jug caps and proof-of-purchase codes clipped from a variety of products.