Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — December 7
Dec 7, 2010
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Florida’s 2011-12 budget outlook getting gloomier
A legislative economist told the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday that she expects a predicted $2.5 billion budget gap to widen because the state’s economic recovery has been slower than forecast.
School reform at top of Scott’s list
Governor-elect adds storied D.C. chancellor to education transition team
But it is also becoming clear that Scott plans to push ahead next year with his own ambitious plans for Florida schools.
Legislator aims to ease class-size law, reduce fines
Longwood lawmaker says he’ll push to reform parts of the law
On their big class-size test, many of Florida’s school districts got failing marks this week and now owe some $38 million in potential fines – money that would be painful to hand over in another bleak budget year.
Bottle Water Tax Back on Florida Senate Menu
Bottled water could get a few cents more expensive in Florida under a proposed surcharge to pay for environmental cleanup work
Polk County impact fee moratorium extended
Polk County Board of County Commissioners Wednesday unanimously approved extending the impact fee moratorium another 18 months. It could cost the county $13 million.
States that lost school money face reform dilemmas
It’s like buying a fancy dress but having no date to the prom – dozens of states that crafted new education policies to compete for a share of the $3.4 billion “Race to the Top” school reform grant prizes were shut out.
Legislators to watch ‘Waiting for Superman’
State lawmakers will gather to watch ”Waiting for Superman” — angering the state’s large teacher’s union.
Florida lawmakers will host a private screening on Tuesday of the film Waiting for Superman, the pro-charter school documentary that blames teachers’ unions for much of education’s woes.
Oakland Park will consolidate bills
The City Commission has agreed to move forward with a plan that could put stormwater and some residential garbage bills on the property tax bill as early as next year.
Tougher Florida graduation rules on the way
Students facing new math and science requirements
High school students are in for big changes over the next couple of years that will affect most of them in many ways and may prevent some from graduating.
Wall Street Journal: Property Tax Increases Sought
While Governor.-elect Andrew Cuomo has said he wants to cap property-tax increases at 2% a year, some local officials in New York state are seeking to boost rates before he even gets to Albany-in part to keep up with the rising cost of government workers’ pensions, officials say.