Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — Tuesday, March 29
Mar 29, 2011
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Blog: Florida Governor Scott promises more change to come in Florida schools
Governor Rick Scott reenacted Friday his signing into law legislation restricting teacher tenure and introducing merit pay – steps fiercely fought by the state’s teachers’ union.
Broward schools propose raises for teachers
Despite expected budget cuts and the uncertainty of new merit pay legislation, the Broward County School District has tentatively offered teachers a 1 percent raise.
Over $3 billion budget gap between Florida House, Senate
The Florida Senate’s tentative budget would spend nearly $3.3 billion more than the House version.
Editorial: State needs a plan to handle budget shortfall
The Florida Legislature began its annual session in March with the state’s budget writers getting some bad, but not unexpected, news.
Tax break for veterans passes Senate panel
The Senate Community Affairs Committee on Monday unanimously passed a bill that expands the availability of homestead property tax discounts for veterans disabled due to combat.
Palm Beach County school enrollments to reach record high
District says there is enough classroom capacity for new students
More students than ever before are expected in Palm Beach County schools in the fall, and enrollment should keep growing during the next five years because of the recovering economy and other factors.
Bills aim to increase number of students eligible for vouchers
Although Governor Rick Scott proclaimed bold goals in expanding school vouchers, the first voucher bills making their way through legislative committees seek to increase access to a relatively tiny program.
Education in the Legislature: Charter Schools Are Next
With teacher merit pay reforms out of the way, the Florida Legislature has turned toward charter school expansion, considering two bills this week that would make it easier for highly-rated charter schools to expand enrollment, add grade levels and grant preferential admittance.
Bills Aim to Stop Adverse Property Possession Law Abuses
You’ve been away from Polk County for a while, but you still own property here.
Is hospital funding stuck in an 80-year-old model?
Dominic Calabro, chairman of Governor Rick Scott’s new commission on hospital funding, says the group will need to answer two questions:
Census vacancy numbers create false impressions
There are many different surveys and indexes of Florida housing data available in the Internet era.
Energy usage a bright spot in Palm Beach County school district’s budget
With the school district’s costs for everything from health insurance to fuel rising and an expected $100 million shortfall in next year’s budget, there appears a glimmer of good news.
States broke? Maybe they cut taxes too much
In his new budget proposal, Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich calls for extending a generous 21 percent cut in state income taxes.
Cities bleed as states cut aid
In Ohio and elsewhere, local taxes will grow as services shrink
The state budget squeeze is fast becoming a city budget squeeze, as struggling states across the country plan deep cuts in aid to cities and local governments that will almost certainly result in more service cuts, layoffs and local tax increases.
Editorial: School leader’s quiet exit speaks loudly
Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith has been around long enough to sense when he’s not wanted.
It’s crunch time before the FCATs
Principals at South Florida’s top schools share their strategies for getting kids psyched up for the annual exams.
For-profit colleges leave many with debt but no jobs
Westwood College representatives questioned Becky Loring about her hopes for the future. And when she wavered – worried about whether she could afford the $45,000 program – the recruiter used Loring’s own words to seal the deal.
Community and state colleges could face 8% tuition hike
Senate budget writers on Thursday presented a new spending plan for higher education and, this time, they’re proposing an 8 percent tuition increase for state colleges and community colleges.
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