Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — December 30

Dec 30, 2010

 

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Scott’s transition team suggests tax exemptions to boost Florida business

President Calvin Coolidge once said “the chief business of the American people is business.”

 

Daily Class-Size Compliance Required by Department of Education

State Department of Education says guidelines were made clear to Polk officials.

Polk and other school districts need to be in compliance with the state’s class-size requirement every day, according to Florida Department of Education officials.

 

Blog:  White kids leaving Florida public schools, more minorities signing up

I was taking a closer look this afternoon at the new enrollment figures that the state released for public schools this month.

 

A tiny bit of tax sanity:  Palm Beach School District built 11 schools and renovated dozens

Palm Beach County residents on Jan. 1 get a tax cut that did not have to be negotiated by President Obama and the Republicans.

 

Editorial:  Proposal to ease Florida’s class-size law would restore some common sense to state’s educational system

Figures released recently by the Florida Department of Education show more than half of Florida’s school districts – 35 of 67 – failed to meet mandatory class-size requirements this year. The result? A potential loss to these districts of $38 million in state education funds, some of which would be reallocated to schools that meet the requirements.

 

Editorial:  Don’t sugarcoat reform

Adam Putnam has dairy and sugar ties that conflict with school nutrition reform.

Even before Adam Putnam is sworn in, the incoming state agriculture commissioner has alerted Floridians there’s a new sheriff in town.

 

Brooksville tax appeals set record pace

Homeowners and business owners are challenging their property tax assessments at a record pace this year, causing petition hearings to be extended beyond February.

 

Wall Street Journal:  Pensions Push Taxes Higher

Cities Tap Homeowners for Revenue as Workers’ Retirement, Health Costs Rise

Cities across the nation are raising property taxes, largely citing rising pension and health-care costs for their employees and retirees.

 

Strapped Michigan city considers radical plan:  Bankruptcy

More cities could follow example as cash dwindles

Leaders of this city met for more than seven hours on a Saturday not long ago, searching for something to cut from a budget that has already been cut, over and over.

 

Editorial:  Boston’s sharp property-tax hike shows need for fiscal restraint

The 7.5 percent property-tax hike recently announced by the Menino administration offers one more echo of last spring’s battle over firefighter salaries – evidence of the perverse outcome that occurs when city employees get big raises in the midst of a stagnant economy.

 

Atlanta property taxes:  Sales of foreclosures will help home values recover

Lenders foreclosed on nearly 99,000 properties in eight metro Atlanta counties through November of this year, a toxic tidal wave swamping home values in a region that went from ceaseless boom to endless gloom in a few years.

 

City Controller:  Increase state oversight on Philadelphia schools because of pending deficit

City Controller Alan Butkovitz on Wednesday called for increased state oversight of the Philadelphia School District following revelations that it faces a deficit of more than $400 million next year.

 

Florida House of Representatives page and messenger essay contest announced

State Representative Dana Young will be conducting an essay contest for students interested in serving as a Page or Messenger in the Florida Legislature for one week during the upcoming session.

 

 

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