Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–September 9
Sep 9, 2008
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Florida Legislature to re-examine property tax relief again
State high court struck down earlier initiative
Florida’s property tax wars now return to the state Legislature, a place where gridlock and battling interest groups make it difficult to achieve the deep relief that politicians promise.
Senator Don Gaetz: It’s time to repeal the recapture rule
For the past two years, taxpayers have grumbled, for good reason, that the market value of real estate has been going down but real estate taxes keep going up. Officials have responded that property appraisers look at values through a rear-view mirror: We pay taxes in November of this year based on what our property was worth at the end of last year.
COLUMN: His property tax battle isn’t over
A less determined crusader may have given up long ago.
But after watching his third tax reform proposal get rejected by the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, John McKay was not ready to end his fight, which has stretched more than a half dozen years.
More Property Tax Proposals Likely to Surface
Providing property tax cuts to an outraged public is much like the job of Sisyphus of Greek mythology, who was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only to have it tumble back down again and again.
Tax reform advocates look to 2010
Tax reform will likely wait until at least 2010, following last week’s decision by the Florida Supreme Court to remove a sweeping “tax swap” amendment from the November general election ballot.
Amendment 5 ruling leaves drafter puzzled, proponents planning
Tax reform in Florida was dealt a major setback last week when the proposed Amendment 5 was struck from this fall’s ballot, advocates say, but there’s no shortage of fallback plans on the horizon.
Reform Commission: Opportunity Wasted in Florida
The official seal of the Florida Supreme Court is set directly under the court’s rotunda. In it is the court’s motto: “Sat Cito Si Recte.” Translated from Latin: “Soon enough if correct.”
COLUMN: Amendments’ details hid scary surprise
Those socialists on the Florida Supreme Court are at it again. The state’s high court yanked an amendment from the November ballot that would have gone over bigger than Sarah Palin at an NRA prayer breakfast.
Ballot proposals 7 and 9 disguised radical changes
When the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission formally proposed Amendment 7 and Amendment 9, it was apparent that the panel strayed far from its mission.
OPINION: High court stopped amendment fever
Florida’s Supreme Court decision Wednesday to remove Amendment 5 from the November ballot on the grounds that this “tax-swap” amendment was insidious — that is, absolutely ripe for unintended consequences of the most dismaying kind — was a victory for Leon County.
Crist benefits from Supreme Court rulings
When next Gov. Charlie Crist has occasion to see the Florida Supreme Court justices, he owes them a big fat kiss – all seven of them, but the retiring Raoul Cantero and Kenneth Bell especially.
EDITORIAL: Hope wanes for tax reform, budget relief
Taxation and Budget Commission Dropped the Ball
A good thing happened for Florida on Wednesday when the state Supreme Court unanimously rejected three proposed constitutional amendments crafted by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. If approved by voters, the amendments could have resulted in a gradual dismantling of the public-school system. This obviously wasn’t the commission’s intent, but change often brings unintended consequences.
EDITORIAL: Real tax reform needed
Floridians need and want tax reform.
They sounded the call with their approval of Amendment 1 in January — placing tax relief into the Constitution.
EDITORIAL: Failure To Provide Real Tax Reform Puts Florida’s Future At Risk
Gov. Charlie Crist wants to tap Florida’s savings accounts to pay today’s bills – a short-term fix that fails to address the significant revenue challenges facing this state.
COLUMN: Impact fee’s end would hurt schools
Brevard County schools could lose another $6 million to $14 million per year for construction under a proposal set for discussion by county commissioners today.
EDITORIAL: Foreclosure crisis erases surplus fees
Desperate economic times call for creative financial measures, and Charlie Green has an enterprising idea to weather the foreclosure crisis.
COLUMN: Taxpayers begin to feel sting of budget cuts
It’s really hitting the fan now.
This is the month when local governments in Florida must approve their tax rates and budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Many of them are whacking services in response to Florida voters’ decision last January to reduce property taxes through Amendment 1.
Humberto Cruz: Readers weigh in on schools, saving and spending
Venting a bit can be healthy. Today it’s the readers’ turn. You’ll find some over-generalizations but also thought-providing ideas.
Tax rolls plunge with condo values in three Broward cities
Blame damage after Hurricane Wilma. And blame families accepting fire-sale prices for condos they inherited.
Higher Hollywood tax rate gets first OK
Hollywood commissioners approved a higher tax rate Monday to prevent major staff cuts in next year’s budget.
Hollywood tax bills might not fall as much as voters hoped after commissioners voted Monday to raise the city’s tax rate to avoid dozens of staff cuts. The action came during the first of two budget hearings.
Business property tax incentives extended
QUESTION: Voters recently renewed the Palm Bay City Council’s ability to grant an ‘economic development ad valorem tax exemption’ for certain businesses. What is it?
Marco Island approves highest tax rate in history, delays fire assessment
While many residents expressed discontent with a tax hike others said it could be worse.
Broward schools budget passes despite ‘unmet needs’
The Broward school district’s $5 billion budget, approved Thursday, is likely to get slimmer in the coming months.
Broward School Board members somberly approved this year’s budget Thursday night, lamenting cutbacks in many areas, including school-bus rides, middle-school sports, and tree-trimming.
Broward teachers bare their soles, will work less
First it was black clothes. On Wednesday, it was old shoes. Now, Broward teachers will protest their lack of raises by cutting back their time on the job.
Frustrated at the stalemate in negotiations about their raises, Broward County teachers vowed Wednesday to paralyze the school system by working less.
Broward School Board votes to close Smart School
Smart School Institute is no more.
Broward School Board members voted Monday to officially close the Lauderdale Lakes charter high school by the end of the day, after Smart School earned its third F and the state withheld its operating money.
Dade schools consider cutting 370 more jobs
The Miami-Dade School Board debated eliminating hundreds of positions, which could save $18.5 million and help balance the budget.
Facing a two-week deadline to balance the 2008-09 budget, Miami-Dade Superintendent Rudy Crew on Thursday recommended the School Board eliminate an additional 370 positions.
The School Board has called a special meeting to discuss how best to sever ties with Superintendent Rudy Crew.
Rudy Crew, the superintendent who promised to turn Miami-Dade public schools into some of the nation’s best, could be leaving in a few days — or perhaps even hours.
Miami-Dade school chief options emerge
Successor speculation started as the Miami-Dade School Board voted to start negotiating a buyout for schools Superintendent Rudy Crew.
As the Miami-Dade School Board debated Monday how to part ways with Superintendent Rudy Crew, a field of candidates emerged for the district’s top job.
The writing’s on the blackboard. Rudy Crew’s a goner.
The Dollar Principal’s surprise election to the Miami-Dade School Board has become a symbol of voters’ frustration with the superintendent’s tin ear, thin skin and oversized ego. And it’s a shame, really, because Crew has good ideas on education reform.
Crew: ‘I feel like I did the best I could’
Rudy Crew said his tenure as Miami-Dade superintendent of schools is ‘close to ending’ as the School Board prepares to meet to discuss his contract.
When Rudy Crew signed on as the Miami-Dade schools superintendent in 2004, he promised to lift underperforming schools, reduce overcrowding and raise teacher salaries.
Palm Beach County school enrollment continues decline
Make it three straight years of fewer students in Palm Beach County schools.
Innovative program provides additional funds for schools
Jane Donovan, Lely High teacher, will have even more books to inspire reading with a grant of more than $1,500 through the Education Foundation of Collier County’s Connect with a Classroom grant. The high-interest stories, written by Jane Draper, will be housed in the library for all students to enjoy.
Parents take advantage of programs to avoid D-rated school
They vowed not to send their children to Boynton Beach High this year despite a forced boundary change away from crowded Park Vista High west of Boynton Beach.
Statewide event to address autistic children and schools
Treasure Coast families want their voices heard about what has happened to their autistic children in schools. But they’re concerned even the state attorney general can’t help them.
Bright Futures scholarships are controversial
At first, Frank Jaffe thought he’d go to college out of state until he heard about Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship.
Obama embraces charter schools in education plan
The Democratic presidential nominee says both parties must work together to improve education, according to remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday at a suburban high school gymnasium. The pitch was an appeal to moderate voters in this presidential election swing state, where the fight over education reform has been the focus of a longtime partisan battle.
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