Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Oct. 9

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Property tax reform and what it means to you

Confused which way to go on property-tax reform? No wonder. A Florida judge found the language in a proposed super exemption amendment so ”confusing” and ”misleading” that he blocked a Jan. 29 vote on it.

 

Herald Graphic:  Save Our Homes Versus Super-Exemption—How they compare

 

Former inner-city superintendent picked as state’s education chief

TAMPA — Eric J. Smith, a former inner-city superintendent praised for his vision but criticized for his single-mindedness, was named Florida’s next commissioner of education. Smith was chosen from 29 applicants.

 

Crist wants to add property tax relief to session

Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday he wants to extend the current special legislative session through the weekend to try to come up with a new property tax relief plan.

 

Broward County: Hospital district lowers tax rate again

For the second year in a row, the South Broward Hospital District has lowered its tax rate. Property owners will pay $1.16 per $1,000 of taxable value, compared to $1.33 last year.

 

Crist offers new tax-cut plan

Gov. Charlie Crist is floating a property tax-cut plan that would give most homeowners a minimum $50,000 homestead exemption, as well as savings for businesses and first-time and new homebuyers.

 

Crist to lawmakers: OK tax cut plan now

A new property tax-cutting plan could be just days away from legislative approval now that Gov. Charlie Crist announced he’s considering keeping lawmakers in the Capitol this week to approve the deal.

 

Counties ask Supreme Court to reverse bond referendum ruling

Local governments asked the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday to reverse its prior ruling that the state constitution requires voter approval before they can sell bonds widely used to finance redevelopment and improvement projects.

 

Pricey GOP consultant eludes state budget cuts

TALLAHASSEE — Even as House Speaker Marco Rubio’s House cut $5,000 from the Florida Supreme Court chief justice’s discretionary fund and $1,828 to Nova Southeastern University to help balance the state’s budget, he continues to pay a well-connected GOP consultant $10,000 a month, even though she produced no written work in the month of September.

 

Rubio ready to give up on tax amendment

TALLAHASSEE — House Speaker Marco Rubio is ready to give up efforts to phase out the popular Save Our Homes Amendment that gives primary homeowners protection against dramatic increases in property taxes..

 

Property tax solutions explored; Gov. Crist backs portability option

Gov. Crist backs portability option

Carolyn Gray has been trapped for two years in her home because she can’t sell it.  “I’m not complaining about my taxes. But no one can buy,” said Gray, 51, who has lived in her Jupiter home since 1996. “I’m furious.”

 

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.

 

State workers lose in predictable party-line votes

The outcome was never in doubt, but it was interesting to see the Florida House split along party lines when state Rep. Curtis Richardson, D-Tallahassee, tried to save 14 jobs in the Department of Management Services.

 

Pembroke Pines hopes School Board will pay for school resource officers

In April, the city plans to revisit the issue of whether to continue putting 13 police officers in public schools or force the Broward School Board to hire its own school resource officers.

 

School board backs wish list for legislature

Local control, funding among school board’s requests for next year

That’s part of the message that the Manatee County school board hopes to convey to Tallahassee next year through the Florida School Board Association.

 

Broward ‘racinos’ struggling to make money, expert says

A 60-percent tax bite and growing competition are hampering Broward County’s ”racinos,” race tracks that offer Las Vegas-style slot machines that so far have generated disappointing profits, an industry analyst said Tuesday.

 

Blueprint Commission on Juvenile Justice hopes to reform troubled system

ISSUE: A new panel takes on reforming the system.

It almost sounds like a pipe dream: fix the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice so it can offer troubled youth a real shot at rehabilitation.

 

Voters Must Help Straighten Florida’s Twisted Tax Structure

It’s time to stop playing games with Florida taxpayers. Offer them clear choices and they’ll vote for the fair, modern tax system the state deserves.