Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–May 15
May 15, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Florida Senate Publishes County by County Allocations Report
The Florida Senate has published the 2009-2010 County by County Report that includes budget allocations by the Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development.
Gov. Charlie Crist’s no-new-taxes pledge might lead him to veto Florida budget
Gov. Charlie Crist signed a no-new-taxes pledge Thursday, indicating that while he’s running for the U.S. Senate he might veto some of the fees and taxes legislators raised to balance Florida’s budget.
Tax plan sets off new round of debate
When state lawmakers adopted a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes late in their spring session, it came as something of a surprise even to those who backed it.
Crist expresses gratitude for Fla. stimulus waiver
Gov. Charlie Crist is thanking President Barack Obama’s education chief for granting Florida a pass to get stimulus money.
Republican Party of Florida: Charlie Crist Signs Americans for Tax Reform Pledge
Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), which commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”
Legislature avoided hard work on tax reform, imperiling state’s future
The Florida Legislature has finally wrapped up work on a $65.5 billion budget that now awaits Gov. Crist’s signature, but the outcome is no reason to celebrate.
Report: Costly plan failed to improve schools
An internal report concluded that a $100 million program for low- performing Miami-Dade schools was ineffective.
A $100 million investment in Miami-Dade County’s lowest performing public schools failed to boost student achievement, according to the school district’s final report on the program.
Miami-Dade teachers vote on deferring pay
For months, the Miami-Dade teachers’ union vowed to fight a school district plan that would defer a few days pay until the next fiscal year.
Crist names Padget to Fla. education board to replace Phoebe Raulerson
Gov. Charlie Crist has appointed Key West equity investor and philanthropist John R. Padget to the State Board of Education.
The ball is in the Seminole Tribe’s court.
Editorial: A smart move on school decisions
Letting schools make more of their own decisions could make them better.
Bay County schools to receive $8.3 million stimulus
Bay County schools will receive $8.3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Hillsborough among finalists for Gates Foundation merit-pay grants
Hillsborough County school officials are taking their shot at millions of dollars in teacher development funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
U.S. Sugar Everglades land deal approved — but obstacles remain
Gov. Charlie Crist’s bid to buy a massive swath of farmland for Everglades restoration won final approval Wednesday, with water managers endorsing a smaller, more affordable version of the controversial deal.
Sink, McCollum turn up early heat in governors race
With their political options widened, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum wasted no time Wednesday ramping up their 2010 rivalry for governor.
Crist urged to veto growth management bill
Environmentalists across the state are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a newly passed growth management bill that was sponsored by state Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton.
Editorial: End the campaigning
One problem with local government is that the people who run it sometimes forget whose money they’re spending.
House approves $6.4 billion for green schools
The House on Thursday passed a multiyear school construction bill with the ambitious goals of producing hundreds of thousands of jobs, reducing energy consumption and creating healthier, cleaner environments for the nation’s schoolchildren.
Education Secretary: Detroit Schools ‘Ground Zero’
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday that Detroit’s troubled public schools are ‘ground zero’ for education in the U.S. and promised federal help if leaders are willing to make necessary changes.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.