Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 17

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Crist taps Kanjian to fill Newell’s commission seat

School Board member Bob Kanjian said he was called by Gov. Charlie Crist this afternoon and told he will be appointed to the Palm Beach County Commission.

 

Crist’s pick ignores advice of GOP leaders

By appointing school board member Bob Kanjian to a Palm Beach County Commission vacancy, Gov. Charlie Crist picked a stalwart Republican while maintaining his reputation as a GOP maverick.

 

State Throws Away Even More Money

The Florida Department of Children and Families last week pulled the plug on HomeSafenet – a computerized case-management system that never worked right, despite a decade of development.

 

Localities spent big in tax debate

Nearly $1 out of every $10 spent lobbying the Florida Legislature this year came from cities and counties looking to lessen the blow of property tax cuts and seeking more money for hometown projects.

 

Spending Not Always Best Response To Disaster

The recent tragedy in Minnesota has held the nation’s attention. The implications also deserve attention.

 

School discipline hits some kids more

Boys are most likely to find themselves in the principal’s office. The question is why.

TAMPA — All children misbehave, but some are more likely to be disciplined than others in Hillsborough schools.

 

Florida’s tax collection goes off rails

Somewhere along the line, Florida lost track of a railroad. The railroad didn’t mind, but the blunder cost taxpayers millions and is another example of the gaping holes in a creaky tax system.

 

City Hall TV show faces early cancellation

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee voted Thursday to cancel a new $175,000 City Hall television show, deciding the expense was too much in a tight budget year.

 

Ugly Process Aside, Hillsborough Makes Right Call On Wetlands

The process wasn’t pretty, but Hillsborough commissioners did the right thing Thursday by unanimously agreeing to preserve local oversight of wetlands while improving the permitting process for people who want to develop their property.

 

Tamarac close to $5 million swap with synagogue

 TAMARAC The city is expected to sign off next week on a $5 million deal to buy the largest synagogue in town and tear it down. In its place the city wants to build another phase of its downtown Main Street project, envisioned to be a destination hub.

 

Terror Ties Shock Ex-District Officials

He was a well-dressed, soft-spoken man who was devoted to his large family and seemed knowledgeable about ways to repair Washington’s broken down public schools.