Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–January 13
Jan 13, 2009
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Crist May Veto Part Of Deficit Proposal
Gov. Charlie Crist hinted Monday at a possible veto of part of the Legislature’s budget-deficit package because of its education cuts.
State budget deal cuts schools, health care and leaves $400M in the bank
Florida’s hemorrhaging budget was all but patched up Sunday morning when legislative leaders agreed to cut enough spending and raid enough savings to leave the state about $400-million in the black – at least for now.
Schools beg parents to lean on lawmakers for money
Parents, your local schools want you. Not to help in the classroom, chaperon field trips or run fundraisers, though all of that is definitely appreciated.
Florida Legislature to hear reports on state economy
Florida lawmakers continued to meet Tuesday in the special budget-cutting session, but they will take no budget action.
How Florida budget cuts could affect residents
Faced with plunging revenues, Florida legislators are halfway through a special session, weighing wide-ranging budget reductions to plug a shortfall of $2.3 billion – cuts that will be felt from classrooms to health clinics to courtrooms.
Crist promises to pay back Chiles fund
While Gov. Charlie Crist will not back off his plan to take $600 million from the Lawton Chiles Endowment to plug the state’s budget deficit, he has agreed to pay back the money with the first payment of the anticipated federal stimulus package, according to attorney Steve Yerrid of Tampa, who met Crist on Thursday afternoon.
Fla. lawmakers discuss federal stimulus plan
The promised federal stimulus plan is on a state Senate panel’s agenda.
The Select Committee on Florida’s Economy is set Tuesday to discuss priorities for Florida’s use of the federal money, if and when Congress acts on the plan being pushed by President-elect Barack Obama.
EDITORIAL: Not so special legislative session
OUR OPINION: Lawmakers leave some good budget ideas on the table
The plan for closing a $2.3 billion gap in the 2008-09 state budget proceeded along two tracks last weekend — one of political ideology, the other of economic expedience — and is headed for an early vote on Wednesday. If approved, the budget recommendations — which include cuts, borrowing and reductions in programs and services — will fulfill the one goal of the special session: producing a balanced budget.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE: Fla. cities meet property tax reduction goals
Florida’s cities have met the property tax reduction goals for fiscal year 2009, according to data released Monday by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Economy having an impact on impact fees
Collier County to consider reducing its construction fees to encourage more development
When it comes to impact fees, a bad economy may be good for builders in Collier County.
Broward presidential election tab: $8.5 million
Broward taxpayers got an unpleasant surprise Tuesday when the County Commission reluctantly agreed to cough up another $4.1 million to pay for the recent presidential election.
Jeb Bush’s education reforms could be reversed
Just a few years after Gov. Jeb Bush completed two terms of sweeping changes to Florida’s schools, his efforts are being silently chipped away in the capital and in courtrooms.
State may have to raise taxes or walk away from $1.34 billion U.S. Sugar deal
A declining economy could leave state officials facing a politically dicey decision in the $1.34 billion deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. – either raise taxes or walk away from the largest public land buy in Florida history.
Doral High parents protest cutbacks, launch hunger strike
Mothers of students at Ronald Reagan Doral Senior High School are on a hunger strike, protesting education cutbacks and what they call a chronic lack of creative solutions.
Pinellas School Board expected to close 5 schools, cut bus service
Faced with a budget crisis that grows worse by the week, the Pinellas School Board appears ready today to close several schools and end bus service for thousands of students.
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