Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–July 21
Jul 21, 2009
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Crist grateful for stimulus cash, but says more is not needed
Saying 26,000 teachers’ jobs have been saved, Gov. Charlie Crist touted the federal stimulus package Wednesday but said he won’t support another multibillion-dollar spending plan from Congress.
EDITORIAL: Florida’s public schools are at risk
OUR OPINION: Crist, Legislature abdicate duty to public schools, colleges
Gov. Charlie Crist keeps hailing the federal stimulus package as a magic job-saver — on Wednesday he pointed to $2 billion of the money helping 26,000 teachers stay employed in Florida.
EDITORIAL: Florida schools, state get good news on financial front
Linda Champion, deputy commissioner for the state’s Department of Education, had good news for school districts recently: They’d get what they were expecting in funds from Tallahassee for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, which began July 1 – the first time the state has not shortchanged districts for about 18 months due to a lack of funds.
While state governments around the nation are struggling, Florida seems to be weathering the Great Recession better than most — even though it was arguably hit harder than most.
Florida legislators continue to spend tax dollars on promotional mailings despite budget cuts
Despite approving severe budget cuts, Florida legislators in droves have hung on to a major perk of power: Taxpayer-funded promotional pieces, blanketing mailboxes across the state.
Property-Value Appeals May Rise
A new law making it easier for property owners to challenge the valuations of county property appraisers may lead to more requests for hearings, the Polk County Value Adjustment Board was told Friday.
Cities team up to oppose development law
Weston is gaining support in its battle against a new state law and its impact on regional development.
More cities are joining Weston’s lead in opposing the state’s recently signed Growth Management Act, which local leaders argue will limit developers’ responsibility in paying for expanded roads while promoting more sprawl.
Fee increases are expected to bring in $800 million for the state.
Florida’s uncounted: Many immigrants and poor people are wary of the Census Bureau
Many immigrants simply are afraid to be counted
When census takers visit Walter Hunter’s mostly black community in Pompano Beach next year for the big, every-10-years count, he predicts they will encounter a lot of slammed doors.
Census Bureau wants better count from county
Escambia County commissioners were told by the U.S. Census Bureau that the county needs to do a better job this time of getting the word out about the 2010 census count.
EDITORIAL: Tough choices ahead for South Florida
OUR OPINION: Salary cuts, furloughs, fewer services are realistic in this recession
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez says that in his decades of government service he has never had to make the tough budget choices he has faced this year. Same goes for Broward County officials and South Florida cities and school boards.
Broward School District expects to have up to 34,800 empty desks in 2012
Decades of building schools and classrooms in Broward County are grinding to a halt. Instead, the district is projecting it will have as many as 34,800 empty desks in the 2012-2013 school year.
Miami-Dade residents protest budget
Dozens of people, including firefighters, showed up at Miami-Dade County Commission chambers on Tuesday to oppose proposed budget cuts that would slash jobs and services to make up for the county’s $400 million budget deficit.
FCAT scores imperil Miami-Dade school for sick kids
The students at Merrick Educational Center have a lot to worry about: Cancer. Brain injuries. Psychological disorders.
West Palm Beach commissioners are expected to tentatively approve a 14.8 percent increase in the county’s property tax rate today.
Schools to review spending with cards
Are Palm Beach County school officials corrupt? Will they end up like jailed county commissioners?
Lake moves forward with school tax hike plans
Lake County School Board members decided Monday evening to move forward with a plan to raise property taxes.
Churches, nonprofit groups could get tax bill if Martin switches to special assessment
Churches, nonprofit groups and government agencies in Martin County might be asked to help pay for fire service, but homeowners and business owners would save money under a proposal discussed Monday by county commissioners.
Council panel votes against Jacksonville mayor’s tax hike
Full council to consider the tax rate proposal July 28
Favoring deeper cuts over higher taxes, the Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee on Monday rejected Mayor John Peyton’s plan to balance the budget with a 12 percent property tax rate increase.
Collier County considering $342 million budget
Collier County leaders are playing with an 11 percent property tax rate to keep desired programs intact.
Marco tax rate hike in the works
Holding the line. That’s how City Manager Steve Thompson describes the direction for the 2010 Marco budget.
Florida nets $1.7M for arts, yet none for Manatee
In May, money for the arts had been zeroed out of the budget that was slated for passage in the Florida Legislature.
Legislative delegation to meet with Brevard School Board
The Brevard County School Board plans to spend 90 percent of a meeting Tuesday with state legislators thanking them for their work during the last legislative session, Chairman Robert Jordan said.
Rodgers back on education commission
Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday reappointed Judith K. Rodgers of Bradenton and four others to the Commission for Independent Education. Senate confirmation is required.
Brogan appointed to Fla.’s top higher-ed post
Former Florida Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan was appointed to the state’s top higher education post Friday, ending a more than six-month search for a new chancellor of the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s public universities.
FCAT test is no longer sole factor in grading
Florida is changing the way it grades its high schools. Beginning this fall, grades no longer will be based solely on performance on the often-criticized Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Busted: State calls out Lee school district for formulaic writing on FCAT essays
State education officials fear that there may be pretenders in the midst of Florida’s students.
EDITORIAL: First politics, then education
Some will say Frank Brogan’s selection as chancellor of the State University System is just the latest evidence that politics trumps education in Florida every time.
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