Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Oct. 3

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Property tax relief is the talk of Tallahassee

As state lawmakers began meeting Wednesday, their minds were on the elephant in the chamber that wasn’t supposed to be there, but that they couldn’t ignore: What will the Florida Legislature do about property taxes?

 

Some areas off-limits for budget cuts

Florida lawmakers are ready to slash money for schools, community colleges, prisons and hospitals in order to close a $1.1 billion gap in the state budget.

 

Lawmakers talking property taxes again while cutting budget

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Legislators may not being doing anything about property tax relief during the special session that began Wednesday, but they’re talking plenty about it.

 

Rubio: House working on homestead exemption alternative

House Speaker Marco Rubio said Wednesday the House is working to prepare an alternative to the homestead exemption crafted by legislators in a June special session but recently taken off the Jan. 29 ballot by a judge.

 

Representative Jim Waldman: Voters are owed the right to vote on issue

When a Tallahassee judge ruled the language of the Legislature’s proposed property tax amendment was “misleading” and stripped the issue from the January ballot, I wasn’t surprised.

 

Relief comes if politicians learn to say no

The people of Palm Beach County can be trusted, most of the time, to make good public decisions if given enough information. But looking at the coin from the other side, there are times when clever advocates dupe the public.

 

Complaints filed against tax group

“Government Gone Wild” seminars violated laws, an activist claims.

BROOKSVILLE – A local political activist filed formal complaints with the Florida Elections Commission on Monday, alleging that four leaders of the Hernando movement for lower property taxes violated state elections laws by not filing as a political committee.

 

Senate Dems: No support for budget cuts without tax break talks

Senate Democrats don’t want to cut the state budget without looking at tax breaks they call unfair, but the Republican legislative leaders Wednesday reiterated that raising new money won’t be part of the equation – except for a tuition increase.

 

Merit-pay cut may not be a problem

Many districts disagree with $147.5M program

State lawmakers expect to snip $147.5 million promised for teacher merit pay out of the budget this week, a temporary move to help solve this year’s financial crisis.

 

PIP Transition Period Concerns House Panel

TALLAHASSEE – It was described as compromise legislation that could resurrect Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system, but committee hearings on Tuesday suggested that advocates for the recently expired system still have their work cut out for them.

 

Crist favors expanding gambling, House doesn’t

TALLAHASSEE – Talks between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida resume today over the expansion of casino-style gambling, but lawmakers are about to weigh in.

 

Public forum encourages property tax ideas

A public forum before a state commission today may be one of the best opportunities local property owners have to offer suggestions on how to fix Florida’s property-tax system.

 

Budget cuts fall on backs of the disabled

The families of those caring for a loved one with a developmental disability don’t ask for much. In fact, they give of themselves in a way few can understand.

 

A pitch for a park in today’s economy?

Today the Hillsborough County Commission’s No. 1 sports fan is expected to pitch his $40-million sports park, possibly with a straight face.

 

Charter school inundated with applications

PORT ST. LUCIE — Student applications for the new charter laboratory school in Tradition aren’t due for more than two months, but school officials say they already are stacking up.

 

School board hesitates on assignment plan

“We thought we had a consensus” about the plan, the superintendent said after doubts surfaced.