Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–October 20
Oct 20, 2009
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Property tax appeals rise during economic decline
Even after years of sinking real estate prices, thousands of South Florida property owners are fighting to further deflate the values of their homes and businesses.
Foreclosure crisis far from over for South Florida
If you think the torrent of foreclosures affecting every city and nearly every neighborhood and street in South Florida is as bad as it can get, here is a harsh new reality:
Hernando Schools tackle problem of dividing bonus money
Fall is windfall time in many Florida public schools.
Each year for the last decade, schools that earned an A or improved a letter grade in the state’s A Plus accountability system, which is primarily based on FCAT scores, receive award money.
CFO Sink talks about solutions for homeowners at housing help roundtable
Florida CFO Alex Sink highlighted two initiatives she started to bring real, tangible help to Florida homeowners facing foreclosure, and heard from community groups and homeowners who are on the frontlines of tackling the state’s housing crisis.
How to combine health care and responsible revenue
To smokers, July’s $1 increase in Florida’s tax on a pack of cigarettes (from 27 cents) may seem unfair.
December special legislative session considered for SunRail
A controversial proposal to build a commuter-rail system in Central Florida could come back to state lawmakers this year.
Blind faith hiring to halt under proposed bill
Hundreds of ex-felons – including many with convictions for violent crimes – are caring for some of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children. But, if state Senator Nan Rich (D-Weston) has her way, that’s about to stop.
State gambling agreement with Seminole tribe may still be far away
So much for the rush to ink a Seminole compact.
Two months after negotiators raced to meet a deadline for the $3 billion gambling deal between the state and tribe, progress has slowed to a crawl.
Florida to auction off unclaimed cash and valuables
George Magee has been waiting 16 years for the final two pieces of his late aunts estate, and now theyre headed his way part of a $1.2 million windfall for a big bunch of Southwest Floridians.
Editorial: State must preserve Florida Forever
There is a good reason Democrats Reubin Askew and Bob Graham have joined Republicans Bob Martinez and Jeb Bush to campaign for the funding of Florida Forever.
Michigan Governor signs bill cutting school funding by $165 per student
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a public school aid bill late Monday that spells double trouble for some local districts — a cut of $165 per student and elimination of money designed to protect them when property tax reform was passed.
Prepaid-college prices: Prepare to be shocked
Parents shopping for Florida prepaid-college plans are in for some major sticker shock when annual enrollment for the program opens Monday.
In Florida, Alachua county schools at head of class for AP tests
Alachua County public schools scored at the top of the state for results on the 2009 Advanced Placement tests, finishing first in Florida for the highest ratio of passed tests and earning the third-highest passing percentage, the school district reported Monday.
Inspectors assess Duval ‘F’ schools, cite needs
State reports show faculty at low-performing schools in Duval County need to improve on identifying just why specific students struggle on specific material and providing what the state sees as well-rounded instruction.
Law agencies meet to target area gangs
With gang activity prevalent in Florida, agencies across the state must pool resources to make communities safer, Attorney General Bill McCollum said Monday at a summit of regional law enforcement leaders.
Police Benevolent Association backs Crist for US Senate
Gov. Charlie Crist, touting his conservative credentials in the face of a hard challenge from the right, accepted the Police Benevolent Association’s endorsement Monday in his race for the U.S. Senate.
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