Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–November 25
Nov 25, 2008
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Fla. to waive penalties for corporate tax glitch
Taxpayer penalties that may result from a glitch in a new corporate tax law will be waived, the state’s revenue director told Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet on Thursday.
State budget gap hits $2.14-billion
Florida lawmakers got a billion more reasons Friday to call a special session on the state’s unstable finances.
State deficit grows; will taxes have to rise?
State economists punched a $2.1 billion hole in the state budget Friday, precipitating the need for a special lawmaking session and talk of possible tax increases.
The state’s barebones budget now has a $2.1 billion hole, state economists said in a Friday forecast that all but guarantees Gov. Charlie Crist will call a special legislative session to manage the deficit and consider what was once a non-starter: tax increases.
State is emptying cash reserves to fill budget holes
Even Florida’s rainy-day fund is drying up.
As Gov. Charlie Crist and legislators ponder their next budget-bailout step, one of their few emergency sources of money is shrinking fast.
Florida could borrow from tobacco fund
Gov. Charlie Crist said he still might propose borrowing from the state’s tobacco settlement trust fund to help avoid a budget deficit even after getting a report Thursday that the fund had lost almost $600 million because of the declining stock market.
Gov. Crist: Raise tax on smokes, suspend foreclosures
Florida’s worsening economy and grim fiscal outlook are forcing Gov. Charlie Crist to consider two bold moves: a 50-cent-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax and a temporary statewide moratorium on housing foreclosures.
Miami-Dade schools chief Alberto Carvalho: Schools deserve bailout, too
Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Carvalho says the state tax shortfall could mean an additional $65 million reduction in spending for the Miami-Dade school system.
With the state facing a potential $1.4 billion tax shortfall, Miami-Dade Schools chief Alberto Carvalho called on the federal government to consider a bailout for the nation’s public schools.
Home savings: Amendment 3 encourages solar power, storm protection
Businesses that sell solar power or hurricane protection for homes in Lee County are getting a boost Jan. 1 when Amendment 3 to the Florida Constitution takes effect.
Fla. ranks 32nd in state competitiveness
Florida ranks 32nd in the nation when it comes to luring business and providing a high standard of living for its residents, according to a report released on Wednesday.
Schools suffer another big loss — students
In another sign of an economy gone sour, Florida schools lost nearly 24,000 students this year in an unprecedented enrollment drop.
Schools Expect Teacher Shortage
The state expects a shortage of qualified teachers in math, science, reading and exceptional education, among other high-need subjects, for the 2009-10 school year, according to a state report set to go before Florida’s Board of Education next week.
Broward County charter schools cut faculty, reduce pay to survive
Broward County’s charter schools are pinching pennies just like their traditional counterparts, but some of the cost-cutting measures are more dramatic than the district’s subtle money-saving changes.
Print shop supervisor Jeanne Torres prepares stacks of blank paper to be used in one of three large copy machines in the Sarasota School District’s print shop in Osprey where they expect to make 67 million copies this year. In effort to cut costs, the district is encouraging a more digital work flow to cut back on the number of prints required for the schools and administrative offices.
A school board vs. Tallahassee
Before the Florida Legislature’s 2009 session convenes in March, Alachua County school officials plan to urge area lawmakers to pump more money into public schools and to make a 180-degree turn on policies concerning charter schools.
Pasco schools’ budget pain sharpens again
The bad financial news keeps getting worse for the Pasco County School District.
School district starts talks on next year’s cuts
Even before this school year is half through, Manatee County schools already are looking ahead to next year.
Lake County public-school students may get chance to register for classes online
Middle-school and high-school students in Lake County soon may be able to do something college kids have done for years — sign up for their classes online.
EDITORIAL: Governor sees the educational light
OUR OPINION: Crist’s plan offers path for improvement of Florida universities
There is much to like in Gov. Charlie Crist’s proposal to give Florida’s 11 public universities the power to raise tuition by as much as 15 percent a year — but the governor’s timing could not be worse.
EDITORIAL: Crist’s Bold Tuition Plan Will Enhance Education
Gov. Charlie Crist was just a few months into his new administration when the subject of Florida’s universities elicited two strong responses from him: Crist thought it was ludicrous that Florida students were having a hard time getting into public universities, and he was soundly against raising tuition.
Virtual Schools The Right Answer For Many Students
More than 1,100 Hillsborough County students attend public school classes from their home computers.
Marlins win case, but stadium might not be done by 2011
The Florida Marlins cleared a crucial legal hurdle in their quest for a new home. Now the question arises: Will the stadium open on time?
Even as the Florida Marlins beat back the final count in a legal challenge to their long-sought, publicly financed stadium on Friday, the team could not declare a complete victory. The reason: The legal tussle may have made it impossible to finish the ballpark by Opening Day 2011.
School board tackles accreditation issues
According to a news release from the District School Board of Collier County, the district is taking the final steps to fulfill recommendations proposed by SACS CASI (Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, Council on Accreditation and School Improvement) during prior review team visits.
Broward an exception to school violence trend
Since the shooting death of a high school student at her Fort Lauderdale school earlier this month, new reports of weapons or violence on campus have surfaced with alarming regularity:
Two Democrats trade barbs to win Broward leadership post
Now that Broward Democrats are finished ripping Republicans, they’re ready to rip each other.
Former U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch is challenging Mitch Ceasar for chairmanship of the county’s Democratic Executive Committee. The job includes no paycheck but carries clout: The chairman recruits candidates, fires up activists and mingles with everyone from presidential contenders to local hopefuls in Florida’s Democratic stronghold.
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