Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–September 11
Sep 11, 2008
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Lawmakers plug part of state budget hole
State lawmakers quickly plugged part of a huge state budget hole by shifting $672 million from a savings account Wednesday, all the while knowing that they’ll have to scare up even more by year’s end — and then face an even bigger deficit of up to $3.5 billion next year.
- September 10, 2008 Legislative Budget Commission Meeting Packet
- Florida Office of Economic & Demographic Research Long Range Financial Outlook Presentation
Special session possible on state budget
A select panel of lawmakers tapped $672 million from a reserve fund Wednesday, but Florida’s still facing a potential budget deficit that could force the Legislature into special session after the November election.
Florida’s down-means-up rule baffling taxpayers
Michael McKenna was baffled by his property tax assessment this year.
State budget in ‘deep doo-doo’, Rep says
Legislature spends $672 million in rainy day funds to patch shortfall
Legislative money managers dipped into rainy-day reserves to put a $672 million patch on a severe budget shortfall today — leaving nearly $800 million still to be found in balancing state spending with slumping tax collections in the current fiscal year.
Falling lottery sales reduce education funds
The Florida Lottery, long a cash cow for public education, can no longer pay its share of the bill because of falling ticket sales.
Florida Lawmakers Act On Lottery School-Aid Shortfall
Falling lottery revenue forced lawmakers on Wednesday to transfer $48 million between trust funds to shore up education spending normally supported by ticket sales.
Proposal Would Give Homeowners Tax Relief They’ve Been Promised
Florida’s property appraisers are demonstrating they are more committed to reducing property taxes than Gov. Charlie Crist and lawmakers, who failed in their promise to substantially cut them.
Thousands of owners of second homes see taxes rise
Over the last two years, South Florida home prices have been in a tailspin, plunging by double-digit numbers.
Choice Supporters Dismayed By Fla. Supreme Court Action To Pull Voucher Amendments
School choice supporters warn that Florida charter schools and state vouchers for low-income students and those with disabilities are at risk now that the Florida Supreme Court has struck down proposed constitutional amendments on choice from the November ballot.
The clouds of alleged corruption continue swirling around Brevard County Property Appraiser Jim Ford in a scandal that’s worsening.
Broward teacher contract talks trip on ‘steps’
Four hours into a negotiating session Tuesday night, talks over a new contract for Broward public school teachers broke down.
After coming within a chalk’s width of an agreement on teacher raises, talks between the Broward Teachers Union and the school district disintegrated Tuesday night over the question of next year’s increases.
Broward School Board opposes gay marriage ban
Broward School Board members said they oppose a proposed constitutional amendment that strengthens Florida’s ban on gay marriage.
Concerned that a ban on gay marriage would mean losing employees or getting slapped with lawsuits, the Broward School Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment.
Judge: Florida Marlins stadium serves public good
Following a favorable court ruling, government and Marlins officials say they will move forward on building a long-sought 37,000-seat baseball stadium.
The Florida Marlins took a major stride Tuesday in their lengthy quest for a permanent South Florida home, when a judge ruled that a new ballpark funded primarily through tax dollars serves the public good.
Palm Beach County schools’ budget calls for $100 million less to spend
Palm Beach County schools will have to make do with $3.3 billion for 2008-09, about $100 million less than last year.
Central Florida schools slice budgets
The pain has officially begun, as school boards across Central Florida put the finishing touches on their 2008-09 budgets. When it’s all over, schools in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and Volusia counties will have lost more than $150 million as their districts grapple with state cutbacks caused by a sputtering economy.
Florida schools lost close to 37,000 students in the past year — enough children to fill a medium-sized district.
EDITORIAL: The saturation point
It’s kind of scary when you think about it, but “enhancing” education in Florida depends on the old adage that there’s a sucker born every minute. But that may not much longer be true.
Just 1 Fla. school wins grade appeal
Just one school has won an appeal of its state grade while five have improved their status under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: School in swing
Blame the Legislature for storm makeup days
Regarding the recent article expressing concern over the impact of storm makeup days on the winter vacation schedule, I have this to say to those affected: Don’t get angry at the School Board or the superintendent. Instead, be upset with the Republican-controlled Legislature in Tallahassee that mandated a later school start date two years ago at the behest of the hotel and restaurant corporations that wanted cheap summer help for longer.
Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama spoke about education at their party conventions:
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