Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Oct. 5

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

House, Senate OK competing $1.1 billion budget cuts

The state House and Senate Friday approved competing budget cutting plans that whack $1.1 billion in programs from the state’s $71 billion budget.

 

House panel approves nearly $1 billion in budget cuts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Very similar Republican spending bills that would chop about $1.1 billion from Florida’s annual budget cleared committees in both chambers Thursday to offset a shortage in tax revenues due to the state’s housing slump.

 

Legislators debate cause of budget deficit

TALLAHASSEE — A partisan dispute erupted Thursday in the Florida House over not only how to tackle a $1.1 billion shortfall in the state budget but why the revenues started slumping in the first place.

 

Dual tensions raise pressure on ballot issue

TALLAHASSEE — House Speaker Marco Rubio holds out for deep property tax cuts. Senate President Ken Pruitt wants to protect education funding. Gov. Charlie Crist supports both but leans with the Senate.

 

Legislators move ahead with budget cuts

Sharply divided along partisan lines, Florida lawmakers Thursday pushed forward plans to slash more than $1.1 billion from the state budget. The cuts largely target hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and public schools.

 

Fla. Democrats sue party over Jan. 29 presidential primary

Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Alcee Hastings sued their own party on Thursday to make Florida’s vote count in the Jan. 29 presidential primary.

 

Parts of Florida budget are untouchable

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.

 

Hands off bonuses, teachers warn lawmakers

Some educators may leave state if incentives are cut from budget

As Florida legislators meet to slash the state’s budget, Brevard Public Schools educators want to be sure they don’t cut annual bonuses awarded to teachers who earn their profession’s highest distinction.

 

As budget cuts begin, taxes, no-fault loom

TALLAHASSEE — With most of their budget cuts already worked out ahead of time, lawmakers went through the formality of public hearings Wednesday as they began a special session to bring the state’s finances back in balance.

 

Powerful tax panel holds court in Tampa

TAMPA — Florida is in a state of emergency, said Kelley Ann Ayers in her four-minute presentation before members of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.

 

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.

 

Old idea won’t help fix budget, GOP says

Republicans will not target sales-tax exemptions to close the shortfall, a plan considered after 9-11.

When the 2001 terrorist attacks froze Florida’s tourist economy and caused a $1 billion slump in state revenues, top Republican senators called for drastic steps.

 

Bush Leaving Some Problems to Successors

WASHINGTON — Over and over, President Bush confidently promised to “solve problems, not pass them on to future presidents and future generations.” As the clock runs out on his eight-year presidency, a tall stack of troubles remain and Bush’s words ring hollow.

 

Op-Ed–Builders: Growing ‘smart’

Is Florida moving in the right direction on growth?  One point of view might answer we are going to hell in a handbasket.

 

Public works ruling needs more work

The Florida Supreme Court should clarify a ruling that threatens urban redevelopment. Last month, the court ruled that local governments need voter approval to construct major public works with an often-used form of long-term debt.

 

Legislative session could take a detour

TALLAHASSEE — Even as the Legislature opened a special session Wednesday to cut $1 billion in spending, one of the state’s most powerful politicians was already eyeing another target — a long-shot second attempt at historic property tax cuts.

 

Palm Beach County teachers get retroactive raises averaging 4.2%

Palm Beach County teachers will find more money in their paychecks by the end of the month, but not as much as they say they deserve.

 

Experts eye FCAT scoring adjustment

If the reading FCAT was scored differently, dozens of schools statewide could shed their D and F grades and fewer teens would be labeled poor readers.

 

Children’s Health Insurance Bill Justified President’s Veto

It’s a pity those eager to bash President Bush are using the emotional appeal of health insurance for poor children as a political club.