Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–October 29
Oct 29, 2009
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Despite push for tax relief, many Broward cities raised rates
When retired real estate agent Michael Gaupin voted for tax relief last year, he hoped his tax bill would at least stay the same.
Lawsuits over school construction seek nearly $2 million from Broward taxpayers
Two insurance companies have sued the Broward School Board for damages caused by construction blunders, saying they lost money when they replaced contractors who failed to finish projects.
Blog: $2.7 billion wasted on bad teachers in Florida
Chris Matthews recently dubbed Rep. Alan Grayson “Captain Cojones,” but Florida Board of Education member Roberto Martinez may be gunning for the title himself. Martinez, a former U.S. attorney who is close to both Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist, has become increasingly vocal about two issues: education funding, or a lack thereof, and teacher quality, or a lack thereof.
More cuts ahead for local governments?
For local governments, the other shoe is about to drop. After watching property tax collections plummet by more than 20 percent during the last two years, largely because of declining home values, Southwest Florida is about to see tax revenue drop again — this time mainly from the business sector.
Room-tax battle heats up between Fla. counties and online travel bookers
The big-money battle between Florida counties and online hotel booking companies reached the apex of state government Tuesday, but theres still no solution in sight.
Broward School Board debates whether to reclaim money
The Broward School Board’s attorney said Tuesday the decision is still up in the air on whether to try to recoup $765,000 from a contractor accused of overbilling for classroom repairs after Hurricane Wilma.
Palm Beach County budgeters face-to-face with record $118 million shortfall
Palm Beach County commissioners took an unprecedented step Tuesday and began bracing nearly a year early for what could be the largest budget shortfall the county has ever faced.
Brevard School District: Money infused into employee salaries
Closing parks two days week, draining unprofitable pools, charging for more beach parking, limiting library hours . Closing parks two days week, draining unprofitable pools, charging for more beach parking, limiting library hours .
Pasco School Board to superintendent: Set new priorities for capital funds
Pasco schools superintendent Heather Fiorentino and her staff spent nearly two hours this afternoon giving the School Board the details about how the administration sets spending priorities for the capital budget, which includes such things as maintenance and construction.
Pasco School Board to tackle its five-year construction plan today
When adopting the annual budget more than a month ago, Pasco School Board members blasted the administration for including $10-million for a new office building at district headquarters.
Commissioner of Education discusses “very conservative” budget proposal
State Education Commissioner Eric Smith will propose an “extraordinarily conservative” budget to state lawmakers this spring.
Statewide education cuts draw parental attention in Manatee
A group of Manatee County parents who are concerned about cuts in state education funding is making efforts to let state lawmakers know they are fed up.
Student numbers keep growing in W. Volusia
Although Volusia County Schools have continued to lose students for a third consecutive year, some schools — because of geography — remain crowded.
Collier School District holds first meeting to get community feedback on strategic planning
One small step to get them there, one giant leap for the Collier County School District.
Florida can bring back German and British property investors
Ten years ago Southwest Florida was flooded with German and British property owners, but now they have divested and gone. Bob Rathgeber’s front page article suggests that the weak U.S. dollar will bring them back.
U.S. Home Prices Continue to Stabilize
Home prices continued to increase in August, according to data released Tuesday. The Standard & Poors/Case-Shiller home price index, a widely watched measure of 20 metropolitan areas, rose a seasonally adjusted 1 percent in August from the previous month.
Amendments: Control Redistricting
Two measures that could weaken the Legislature’s ability to draw congressional and legislative districts based on politics appear to be headed for the November 2010 ballot.
Broward school boundary changes take step forward
Ten-year-old Scott Gustein is worried. The fifth-grader at Embassy Creek Elementary was looking forward to moving on to Cooper City’s Pioneer Middle next year along with the rest of his classmates.
Broward Schools starts ethics, integrity commission
A mayor, former attorney general and lawyer who sued a segregated Broward School District are now the school systems fully independent Commission on Education Excellence through Integrity, Public Ethics and Transparency.
- 3 political heavyweights target Broward school district practices
- Insurer’s ties to Broward School Board member Kraft raise concerns
- Broward school board considers tighter lobbying policy
Ten years ago Florida began mandating character education for children
Governor Crist applauds Florida higher-education partnership
Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida educators for the Valencia Community College/University of Central Florida (UCF) University Center Dedication, a partnership that expands access for affordable higher education.
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