Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — Wednesday, February 23
Feb 23, 2011
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Florida “TABOR” Proposal SJR 958 Would Endanger Education, Public Safety and Infrastructure
Proposal Has Same Flaws as Previous Florida “Tabor” Proposal
The Florida Legislature is considering a TABOR proposal, SJR 958, to limit the growth in state revenues by the combined rate of inflation and population growth.
- To access the complete report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, click here.
Scott’s schools budget could prompt 20,000 layoffs
While promising to create a world-class education system, Governor Rick Scott has simultaneously proposed the deepest cuts for Florida public schools by any governor in recent history.
Rick Scott on crash course with Senate budget chief
Governor Rick Scott is on a political crash course with the Florida Senate’s powerful budget chief, J.D. Alexander, who wrote a letter Tuesday asking the governor to cite the “legal authority” for the way he sold two state planes.
Lawmakers to take up decisive education issues in session
Major cuts to school budgets as federal stimulus funding dries up.
Editorial: Severe budget cuts could burden communities
Facing a projected $3.6 billion budget deficit, the state of Florida is again “stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
PolitiFact Florida: Michelle Rhee right about per-pupil spending, wrong about student performance
Florida legislators recently fawned over former Washington, D.C., public school chancellor Michelle Rhee as she addressed House and Senate members.
Jacksonville rally galvanizes opposition to education funding cuts
Parents of students are told to let lawmakers know they don’t like it.
About 300 parents, educators and students told Governor Rick Scott and anyone else proposing cuts to public education that Florida’s children should come first.
Dade schools chief to discuss budget
The Miami-Dade school district will hold a town hall meeting Thursday to discuss next year’s budget.
Impact fee cuts hurt Pasco school district
In the name of job creation, Pasco commissioners gave short shrift to the county’s largest employer – the public school system.
Early-voting exit poll predicts passage of Tampa tax-break proposal
A city proposal to offer property tax breaks to new or expanded businesses appears to have strong support, according to an exit poll of South Tampa voters Saturday.
Bennett introduces bill to curb funding for sports venues
Senator Michael S. “Mike” Bennett (R-Bradenton) announced he has filed Senate Bill 630 relating to the use of public moneys and properties for professional sports teams.
Column: Starving education will lead to intellectual skeletons
Sunday’s column took a look at the recent Tea Party rally that marked the unveiling of Florida Governor Rick Scott’s first budget.
Florida Lottery’s state education funding hits $22 billion
The Florida Lottery’s contributions to the state’s education system have reached $22 billion.
Palm Beach County superintendent says goodbye, officially steps down
For most of his decade-long tenure at the helm of the Palm Beach County School District, Superintendent Art Johnson enjoyed the seemingly unshakable support of board members, principals, parents and the business community
Temporary head of Palm Beach County schools described as consensus builder
A few weeks ago, Bill Malone and his wife took a cruise to Antarctica, a trip the couple had been talking about taking for years.
Blog: Performance pay plan in Florida bills not good enough, Florida Education Association says
Legislation to change the way Florida teachers are paid and evaluated still misses the mark despite increased public input, the Florida Education Association said Tuesday.
With eye on Wisconsin, Florida teachers gear up for rallies
Florida teachers statewide began gearing up for rallies and protests as state lawmakers close in on monumental changes to how teachers are hired, fired, paid and evaluated.
Commentary: Would you advise your child to become a teacher?
In his State of the Union address, President Obama implored young people to choose teaching as a career: “If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child – become a teacher.
Three Miami-Dade schools seek to appeal grades from state
Three Miami-Dade high schools want the state to take another look at their grades, which are intended to show how well a school performs relative to state standards.
Agriculture Commissioner moves to take over school nutrition programs
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam has made a bid to bring all school nutrition programs under his department’s umbrella.
Blog: Guns on campus bill discussion delayed amid emotional scene
Senator Greg Evers this morning postponed discussion of a controversial gun bill (SB 234) that, among other things, would allow people to carry weapons onto college campuses after the father of a killed Florida State University student showed up to oppose the bill at a Senate committee hearing.
Report: Deltona transgender student may help change district’s bullying policy
News-JournalOnline.com reports the Volusia County School Board tonight will decide whether it will consider adding sexual identity to the district’s harassment policy.
New York Times: Rising Property Taxes Overwhelm Many Who Are Living on the Edge
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s campaign to cap property taxes has angered school and municipal officials who say that limiting local tax revenue will make it impossible for them to cover rising expenses and will result in drastic cuts in services.
Texas property tax rates would have to soar to make up loss of school aid
School property tax rates would have to increase by about one-third to make up for the loss of $9.3 billion in state aid in the Senate budget proposal.
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