CLEARWATER - To cut $25 million from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office budget, the agency may have to eliminate its DUI squad, Sheriff Jim Coats said today. ...more

June 23, 2008

Last year, city officials estimated they could save about $1.3 million by turning janitorial and security work over to the private sector. ...more

June 20, 2008

AVON PARK — Norm Stephens knows that in a recessionary economy, voters aren't likely to approve any suggestion of a tax increase. And in November, there will be nine ballot issues to confuse voters, including a one-cent sales tax which that would replace school property taxes. And furthermore, the 10-mill college property tax is No. 8 on the list, after the amendments prohibiting gay marriage and illegal aliens owning land. So its chances of passing may be small. But if voters approve in November, the Legislature would be required to allow the commissioners in Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties to hold a election which would generate property taxes to support South Florida Community College. "It's a four-step process," said Stephens, SFCC president. "It has to be approved by 60 percent of the voters in November. That allows the Legislature to develop rules. Then the counties can place it on the ballot, and the voters would have to approve again." ...more

June 8, 2008

In reference to the story on May 30, "County to consider property tax for land conservation." I hope other readers didn't fall asleep from reading about yet another vested interest in picking taxpayer's pockets before coming to Dr. Elton Gissindanner's quote: "We believe the timing is right because we just voted ourselves a tax break back in January." As soon as some money frees up, there's someone looking to get at it. I'm sorry Mr. Gissindanner, I prefer to keep my tax break (puny as it was.) ...more

May 31, 2008

A lawsuit challenging a new constitutional amendment that lets homeowners take property tax breaks with them when they move should be dismissed, state and local government attorneys told a judge Thursday. ...more

May 30, 2008

Where Does It End? Regarding "Land Program Fate Up To Voters" (Metro, May 22): ...more

May 29, 2008

CLEARWATER - Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats announced a proposal Thursday that would slash $25 million from his agency's 2008-09 budget. ...more

May 22, 2008

If Pasco County schools Superintendent Heather Fiorentino can persuade the school board to avoid a single layoff, maintain current salaries and not touch any classroom programs to combat an anticipated $16 million budget shortfall, she should be administrator of the year. ...more

May 11, 2008

On 12 May, the cost of mailing a letter increases a penny. ...more

May 10, 2008

The Miami Herald's analysis probably said it best: The big winners in the new state budget are prison builders; the big losers are public schools. ...more

May 6, 2008