Poll: FCAT Reform
CIVIC Concern | | 
0
Where do you stand on accountability reform, especially reducing the importance of the FCAT? Take our poll, then visit this post to discuss the issue in more depth.
Most Popular Entries
POLL: Property Tax Constitutional Amendment -- 1686 hits- Welcome to the CIVIC Forum -- 1438 hits
- No-Fault Insurance and PIP Laws to Expire: What Fallout Do We Face? -- 812 hits
- Top Florida Education Officials Consider FCAT Alternatives -- 769 hits
- CIVIC Launches New Interactive Website -- 712 hits
CIVIC Forum Entries
Reducing the Role of the FCAT
CIVIC Concern | | 0
Since completing comprehensive expert reports on the impact of the FCAT and the A Plus plan in 2004 and 2007, CIVIC has advocated for an overhaul of the state's accountability system.
In 2006 and 2007, legislation based on CIVIC research was developed and filed by members of the State House and Senate, but those bills failed to pass. This year, State Senator Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, chair of the Senate's Pre-K-12 Education Committee, has filed a bill that would add a number of other factors to the high school grading equation, reducing the importance of the FCAT for high schools.
While more comprehensive change is needed, this bill is a good beginning. The fact that it was filed by a committee chair signals that legislative leaders are finally willing to consider changes in the accountability system.
For more information, read the full article here.
What changes do you believe need to be made to the accountability system? Should the emphasis on the FCAT be reduced, or should the test be scrapped altogether? Or do you believe the system is working effectively and doesn't need reform?
McKay Proposes a Constitutional Amendment to Cut Property Taxes by 45%
CIVIC Concern | | 0
Former state senator John McKay, a member of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (FTBRC), has filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the Legislature to review and repeal many of the hundreds of sales tax exemptions on non-essential goods and services.
The amendment would use the resulting increase in sales tax revenue to fund schools, replacing most of the education property taxes. The current exemptions for food, prescription drugs, health services, and residential rent, electricity and heating fuel will be maintained.
Read the full article here.
Do you support this proposal? Do you think these are special interest tax breaks that ought to be repealed, or are they incentives that help support Florida's businesses and economy? Plenty of folks agree that luxury skyboxes in pro sports arenas should be taxed, but what about lawn services?
property taxes, Budget Reform Commission, FTBRC, John McKay, Sales Tax Exemptions (all tags)
Top Florida Education Officials Consider FCAT Alternatives
CIVIC Concern | | 14
Legislative leaders and members of the state board of education traveled to New York for an in-depth look at that state's Regents exams. For months now, there has been high-level discussion of shifting Florida's accountability system toward end-of-course exams, which experts say would be a more useful tool than the FCAT.
For more information, read the full article.
What do you think? Are end-of-course exams a good alternative? What other options should the state consider?
POLL: Property Tax Constitutional Amendment
civicconcern | | 3
Tell us -- and your legislators -- how you plan to vote on the property tax constitutional amendment.
For more information about the proposed amendment, read the full article here.
No-Fault Insurance and PIP Laws to Expire: What Fallout Do We Face?
CIVIC Concern | | 1
On October 1st, Florida's no-fault auto insurance laws are scheduled to sunset. Also disappearing is the requirement that all drivers carry a minimum level of personal injury protection (PIP).
Repercussions are predicted to be widespread. The 20% of Floridians who have no health insurance will have no coverage for treatment of injuries sustained in auto accidents. Hospitals say they will be forced to bear the costs of administering emergency treatment to uninsured accident victims. Health insurance companies say any decrease in auto insurance premiums will be completely offset by increase in health insurance premiums.
Should the legislature take this issue up during the September special session? If so, should they extend the existing law for a year or try to develop consensus reform legislation before the October 1 deadline?
Special Session Ends; Results Uncertain
CIVIC Concern | | 0
The Legislature ended its special session on property taxes today after passing two bills touted as the solution to the tax crisis. There is no consensus, however, that the legislation will result in relief for those that need it most, and many are concerned about the impact on education funding and government services.
The "roll-back bill" requires local governments to reduce taxes this year and caps their future revenues. The second bill creates a proposed constitutional amendment. If passed by 60% of voters in January, the amendment would allow homeowners to give up their Save Our Homes assessment cap in exchange for a much larger homestead exemption.
Read CIVIC's article for full details.
Tell us what you think of the legislature's plan.
Property taxes, special session, constitutional amendment (all tags)
