Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–September 16
Sep 16, 2008
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Florida Supreme Court declares initiatives misleading
State Supreme Court criticizes vague wording
The state Supreme Court delivered a message Monday to drafters of amendments to Florida’s constitution: Stop trying to mislead voters.
Justices defend throwing amendments off ballot
Florida Supreme Court justices Monday spanked the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission with opinions that explained why threw three proposed constitutional amendments from November’s ballot earlier this month they.
State’s recapture rule baffles Fla. taxpayers
Thousands of Florida homeowners are confused over the state’s property tax rules, which has some assessed values going up even while market values are dropping.
Obscure Florida rule hits property tax cuts
Michael McKenna was baffled by his property tax assessment this year. The market value of his Longwood home fell by nearly $52,000, yet its taxable value increased by 3 percent — about $4,000.
Sinks seeks analysis on Florida portfolio
Florida’s chief financial officer hopes to get some answers when she meets with Gov. Charlie Crist and the independently elected Cabinet to discuss what effect the failure of several Wall Street institutions will have on the state’s investments.
Florida’s fiscal hole will exceed patches
Florida’s frayed budget is being patched with borrowed money, and the prolonged economic slump will force Gov. Charlie Crist and legislators to confront much bigger shortfalls in the months ahead.
COLUMN: Blame for taxes falls on state’s legislators
Wanna gripe about your property taxes? Be my guest. But this time, please aim some blame in the right direction.
Florida lawmakers trying to bolster state revenue may turn to bipartisanship
Putting bleak budget numbers before the Florida Legislature’s money managers, Gov. Charlie Crist coined a three-word term that Republicans and Democrats will debate hotly until the economy improves.
Local lawmakers in power position when facing cuts
Legislative leaders could spare Manatee
When the Florida Revenue Estimating Conference recently projected an additional $1.8 billion hit to next year’s state budget, this much became clearer than ever: State lawmakers will have their work cut out for them before they even arrive in Tallahassee for their next regular session in 2009.
EDITORIAL: Band-Aids and baloney
Tax reform is the real issue
When Johnnie Byrd was speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004, his trademark was to proclaim “It’s a great day in the state of Florida” at the start of daily legislative briefings — regardless of how serious the problem or controversy.
EDITORIAL: Florida Must Stop Shifting Its Tax Load To Businesses
For several years, elected officials at every level have been promising big tax cuts. Voters, when finally given a chance to weigh in on the issue in January, overwhelmingly approved an amendment that was part of what Gov. Charlie Crist called the largest tax cut in Florida history.
EDITORIAL: Lottery Sales Stagnant; Reaching 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.
Tax bills show up, higher than expected
Owners of thousands of non-homestead properties in Brevard County have gotten big surprises in recent weeks: notices of substantial jumps in property taxes.
Property tax hike a surprise for some
Jerry Martin may be like some other Leon County homeowners who were surprised by their recent notice of proposed property taxes.
Lehman bankruptcy to weigh on Florida
The state of Florida could lose more than tens of millions of dollars as Wall Street icon Lehman Brothers heads into bankruptcy.
Lehman was major force in S. Florida
The demise of Lehman Brothers removes a major player in South Florida’s real estate industry.
When large South Florida developers needed money, they often turned to Lehman Brothers.
Busy Palm Beach County School District’s legal department strains the budget
It’s the largest legal settlement against Palm Beach County schools in at least a decade: $4 million for a paramedic critically injured when a school bus slammed the back of his van in 2005.
Leon schools get state money for FCAT gains
Nims was one of 25 Leon County schools that received more than $1.8 million for either earning an A or improving at least one letter grade on last year’s FCAT test.
Hillsborough School Employees Strike Deal For 2% Raise
School district officials and unions for teachers and blue-collar workers agreed to a 2 percent step pay increase Friday, retroactive to July 1.
Former teachers union chief leads Florida voucher program
Doug Tuthill is the new president of the Florida School Choice Fund, which raises money for the state’s $118-million corporate tax credit voucher program and awards vouchers to low-income children. He’s also a former teacher and president of the Pinellas County teachers union, and he helped start the International Baccalaureate program at St. Petersburg High.
A bumper crop of charter school applications has been filed in Volusia County, with out-of-town companies outnumbering the local groups who want to offer alternative education choices for the 2009-10 school year.
Florida considering use of force in classrooms
Browder says no need for such a rule in Lee
Educators would be allowed to use “reasonable force” against a student to maintain a “safe and orderly learning environment” under a proposed rule from Florida’s State Board of Education.
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