Broward Directory Blog

Broward School Board weighs possible layoffs, furloughs, fewer electives
District facing up to $100 million cut in state money, officials say

By Kathy Bushouse, Sun Sentinel
February 9, 2010

Broward’s public schools face deep budget cuts in the upcoming school year, which could mean anything from more job losses to less money for elective classes and classroom supplies.

“Schools budget director Jane Turner told board members on Tuesday that the district is facing an $80 million to $100 million cut in state money and will have to make up for $60 million in one-time money spent in last year’s budget”

Read more…

Some Broward schools go without toilet paper and soap in bathrooms
Teachers stock bathrooms at some schools
By Akilah Johnson, Sun Sentinel
February 9, 2010

From classroom walls to bathroom stalls, posters in Broward County schools urge good hygiene to stop the spread of germs. But when students and teachers try to practice what the posters preach, they sometimes find there’s no toilet paper or soap.

Read more…

Most Broward government offices will close Friday
Many services will be suspended for a day to save money in county’s strained budget
By Scott Wyman, Sun Sentinel
January 13, 2010

Don’t plan to check out a library book, visit a regional park or dump an old television set Friday.

Broward County government will shut down as part of cost-cutting measures imposed last year to overcome a $106 million deficit.

These services will also be closed:

• All library branches
• Animal shelters
• Regional parks
• Nature centers
• Neighborhood parks
• The trash transfer stations and the Southwest Regional Landfill.

Read more…

EARLY Act Included in Senate Health Reform Legislation

Wasserman Schultz Commends Senate Majority Leader Reid for including Breast Cancer Provisions

December 22, 2009

(Washington, DC)  –  Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for inclusion of breast cancer provisions in sweeping health insurance reform legislation that saves lives, saves money, and saves Medicare. The EARLY Act (Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act) was included in the Manager’s Amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which passed the Senate early Monday morning.

“I am delighted that the EARLY Act has been included as part of the Senate’s health reform bill, and that we are a giant step closer to ensuring that all young women have the tools and resources they need to practice good breast health and detect breast cancer early,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz (FL-20).

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz personally met with Senator Harry Reid about including SB 994, the Senate version of the EARLY Act sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), in the manager’s amendment of the health reform legislation. Sen. Reid shared her concerns about young women’s lack of knowledge and awareness about their breast health, and made it clear that he would do everything he could to include these important provisions in the Senate health care reform bill.

“Sen. Klobuchar has championed this legislation and worked hard to get it included in the Senate bill,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Young women throughout America will benefit from her hard work and advocacy.”

“It gives me great pride that Senator Reid included the EARLY Act in the Senate’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “This once again demonstrates Congress’s steadfast commitment to protecting the health of our nation’s women. I look forward to continuing to work with Senators Reid, Klobuchar, and all of my colleagues as this critical health care legislation moves through the conference process.”

The EARLY Act directs the Centers for Disease Control to develop and implement a national education campaign to increase awareness of breast health, family history, and the threats posed by breast cancer in young women. The legislation has the support of more than 40 advocacy organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance.

“I know that as a breast cancer survivor, I would not have found my cancer early without knowledge and awareness,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “To combat breast cancer we need to ensure that every young woman in America can rely upon education and awareness, not simply luck.”

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in young women ages 20 to 45, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2009 alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 25,000 new cases of breast cancer in women younger than 45 and approximately eight of these young women will die from the disease each day.

Last week, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution authored by Rep. Wasserman Schultz expressing the “sense of the House of Representatives” regarding recent breast cancer screening guidelines by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that relate to women age 40 to 49.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz can be reached in Pembroke Pines at (954) 437-3936, in Aventura at (305) 936-5724, in Washington, DC at (202) 225-7931, or on the internet at: www.house.gov/wassermanschultz

Press Releases from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

I received this newsletter from State Senator Eleanor Sobel

Recipe for Success “Cash for Clunkers Appliances: Florida Style”
State Senator Eleanor Sobel – October 2009

As your State Senator, I am working diligently drafting and filing legislation for the 2010 Legislative Session. I would like to encourage you to think hard about issues that upset you and make you believe “there ought to be a law,” and actually send me those ideas.  Some of the best ideas for legislation have come from friends, neighbors, and constituents. We have many good bills prepared for the forthcoming Legislative Session aimed at safeguarding consumers, protecting equal rights and ensuring a high quality of life for all Floridians. 2010 will provide some amazing changes and opportunities.

Today, I am writing about legislation that I sponsored (SB 942/ HB167) which became law last session 2008-2009. My legislation “Relating to Energy – efficient Appliance Rebate Program” will soon save you money, reduce unemployment, promote energy efficiency, and stimulate Florida’s stagnant retail economy. This rebate program, which is overwhelmingly dependent on federal dollars will be going into effect in early 2010. Included below are the necessary “ingredients” to prepare the “recipe” for success when  purchasing energy efficient products in Florida!

Recipe for Success: Cash for Clunker Appliances Florida Style
Ingredients:

• 10 days in April
• 5 types of Energy Star-rated appliances
• 20% pre-tax rebate on the appliances
• $1500 savings available per household

Go shopping for new refrigerators, room air-conditioning units, gas and tankless water heaters, dishwashers, and clothes washers between April 16-25, 2010.

Directions:

• ” Look for appliances which carry the federal Energy Star rating (meaning the appliances exceed the minimum federal standards for appliance energy use by 10 to 20 percent).
• ” Purchase one or more of the qualifying appliances and receive a 20% pre-tax rebate on each unit, for a maximum savings of $1500 per household.
• ” Take your old appliances to the landfill or exchange them with the retailer and receive an additional $75 for each appliance.

Enjoy your new energy-efficient appliances and your savings!

Additional Recipe Tips:

• ” Florida has been allotted $17.6 million for rebates; if it isn’t all spent in the ten-day period, the program may be extended.
• ” The procedure to get your rebate has yet to be determined.
• ” Certain appliances were excluded because they do not offer noticeable energy savings through upgrades. Others, including clothes dryers, do not carry an Energy Star rating. Some additional appliances are covered through other government rebate programs, including central air-conditioning units.
• ” The dates are tentative.
• ” Final details will be announced towards the end of the year. You can find more information on the Florida Energy and Climate Commission’s website at www.myfloridaclimate.com

Here’s to Bargain Shopping!

State Senator Eleanor Sobel

District Office: (954) 924-33693
2600 Hollywood Blvd – The “Old” Library
Hollywood, FL 33020
FAX (954) 924-3695

Legislative Staff
Nick Matthews, Zachary Learner and Lori Kearns

Tallahassee Office: (850) 487-5097
224 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

Despite tough economy, some Broward cities giving big pay raises
By Jennifer Gollan South Florida Sun-Sentin
They’re billed as cost-of-living increases, but some of Broward County’s largest cities are giving raises that far exceed this year’s inflation rate of 1.8 percent.

Beginning this month, many police officers in Davie will see salaries start to climb by nearly 14 percent over the next 12 months, including an 8.7 percent cost-of-living increase. That’s on top of 5 percent cost-of-living increases in each of the last two fiscal years.

Town of Davie raised property taxes by nearly 13 percent!

The rest of the story…

My Humble Opinion:

Note: As proud as we all are of our Police Departments, we all need to share in the difficult economic times. When the economy is this bad, pay raises are expenses merely passed on to the residents and it is the residents that are the ones whom are suffering the most.

Let’s see how much more expensive things may get:

• Our water bill rose about 50% – City of Sunrise
• Homeowner’s Insurance rates will be going up
• FP&L is requesting a rate hike – when that goes up so are the taxes and fees with your electric bill
• Healthcare is through the roof and is a mess – Some insurance companies look for any excuse to drop someone after collecting years of monthly premiums
• Cable and phone bills are extremely high – look at the taxes and added fees

What is sad, is that the people the local governments represent are not getting cost of living increases, we are not getting more income, our investments have been pummeled and the only thing our local governments know how to do is raise taxes, give out pay raises when the residents of South Florida are suffering under the weight of Federal, State and Local government.

Our Government officials need to get back in touch with the people they represent – and start doing the right thing!

There will come a time where the whole government process at all levels will become too big, unaffordable and the people, that the government represents, will not take it any longer. Everything has limits, our salaries, our food, our lives and most of all – our patience. If you value your right to vote – then exercise it to get rid of those that feel the government should come first before your ability to take care of your families and survive. There is too much waste in the current government systems. Your vote is the only thing that can really make a difference.

Spend some time investigating your elected officials and finding representatives who will do the right thing.

FORT LAUDERDALE -  Governor Charlie Crist suspended Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion and School Board member Beverly Gallagher this afternoon following their arrest on corruption charges.

Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, School Board member Beverly Gallagher and former Miramar commissioner Fitzroy Salesman were accused in a federal corruption probe that said they took money in return for helping undercover FBI agents try to win county contracts or launder money.

Read the complete Sun-Sentinel article

Sunrise water customers may face 40 percent rate hike
By Susannah Bryan South Florida Sun-Sentinel
SUNRISE -  Get your water from Sunrise?

It may soon cost more to water your lawn, not to mention take a shower or run the dishwasher.

The Complete Story…

Essentials:

• $389 million to upgrade and expand its water and wastewater treatment system over the next five years
• Customers outside Sunrise would continue paying a 25 percent surcharge, bringing their bills to $92 a month.

The City of Sunrise -  Web site

Water & Wastewater Utility Master Plan
Financial Forecast Evaluation – July 14, 2009

Draft Water Supply Facility Work Plan

The Florida State Legislature enacted new legislation that links future water supply planning for all Florida Public Utilities to Municipal Comprehensive Plans. To comply with this mandate, the City of Sunrise Utilities Department has prepared a detailed engineering analysis and water supply plan to provide sufficient potable water for future growth within the Sunrise Utilities service area (which includes all of the City of Sunrise, the City of Weston, the Town of Southwest Ranches, and portions of the Town of Davie).

This draft Water Supply Facility Work Plan (WSFP) pdf provides a road map of new infrastructure required to provide the water supply needs of Sunrise’s service area for the next 10 years. Estimated to cost approximately $125 million, the plan provides detailed project descriptions for new treatment facilities, as well as a schedule for implementation. The plan is “draft” in that it must be reviewed and approved by the Florida Department of Community Affairs as part of the State’s concurrency program, as well as other State agencies to insure that rules pertaining to the allocation of limited water resources are appropriately followed. The target date for final adoption of the WSFP is August 15, 2008, as mandated by legislation. The Sunrise City Commission will review the revised draft plan a second time in summer 2008 prior to final adoption. Once approved by the Commission, the WSFP will become part of the City’s Utilities Master Plan as the water supply element.

(Please note – this was an e-mail received by us from a City of Cooper City Resident.)

Commissioner Sims’ Town Meeting
Monday, September 14th/ 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Auditorium

Please attend and let’s discuss the fire assessment increase and 2010 budget!

*1st Budget Hearing*
Tuesday, September 15th/ 6:00 p.m.  Public comments at 8:30 P.M. City Hall Auditorium

The residential fire assessment is on the agenda to increase 23%, and the total assessment amount going to the city is being raised from $800K to $1.2M, a 50% increase!

And, we don’t even have a city fire department…(This is the result of your prior Commission to dissolve the Cooper City fire department and hire BSO in order to have a savings. It sounds just like the new City Attorney ‘deal’…) This tells me that the city has got to raise business taxes substantially, and receive a whopping increase in taxes from businesses and business properties!  The business owners are on a net/net lease which means the costs will be passed to the business owner itself rather than the building owner/lessor.

Be at this meeting to object [*IN WRITING*] to the raising of taxes and fees, and to stop government waste!

Sec. 7-31. Adoption of final [fire] assessment resolution. At the time named in such notice, or to which an adjournment or continuance may be taken by the citycommission, the city commission shall receive any written objections of  interested persons, and may then, or at any subsequent meeting of the city commission adopt the final assessment resolution which shall (a) confirm, modify or repeal the initial assessment resolution with such amendments, if any, as may be deemed appropriate by the city commission; (b) establish the rate of assessment to be imposed in the upcoming fiscal year and the maximum assessment for subsequent years; (c) approve the initial assessment roll, with such amendments as it deems just and right; and (d) determine the method of collection.

Send your e-mails to the city manager…
bloucks@coopercityfl.org

Palm Avenue Corridor Improvements
*Public Awareness Meeting*
Thursday, September 17th/ 6:30 p.m.
City Hall Auditorium
Palm Avenue area residents or those who use the Palm Ave corridor and business owners should attend ask questions and voice your concerns.

2nd Budget Hearing
Monday, September 21st/ 6:00 p.m.    Public comments at 8:30 P.M.
City Hall Auditorium

*Watch the City Commission Meetings/Budget Hearings LIVE on Comcast Channel 78*

Since the this new Commission was seated, the city’s long term objectives and plans that the Commission gave direction to itself and staff were formulated. The 2010 budget does not move us toward those objectives. There has been a 30% increase in the city’s budget in the last two budgets. There have been no substantial efforts by city staff and your city mayor and commission to decrease discretionary spending and reduce legal expenses.

For More Information about Cooper City – please visit their website
http://www.coopercityfl.org/

After watching last night’s speech by the President, I too was amazed that the Republican Representative of  South Carolina, Joe Wilson, yelled out – You Lie! during the President’s address to congress. That moment in time, unfortunately, out weighed the President’s message about Healthcare.

What was freighting to think, that our own Congress is sinking down to a mob mentality of a school yard brawl to bring about change or  no change. The issues are real, the question is how to deal with the health care issues and what to do to help our country out of this quagmire of spiraling medical related expenses.

The effort to try to do something seems to be creating more of a rift between parties and to most everyone’s amazement, the battle to just talk about the issues seems like a personal attach on individual rights of free speech. What happened to the times  where our government representatives acted like professionals and statesmen?

If last night’s events on the floor of congress represent what the fevered  and subliminal battles are taking place up on the hill – our duly elected representatives need to look at whom they really represent – the voters – the millions of people that placed their faith in them to do the right thing without the hindrance of lobbyists or bodies of politically motivated groups. These same groups will eventually tear apart our country if this is allowed to continue down this twisted path of government bureaucracy.

Please take the time to call you government representatives and voice your concerns!

Sen. Bill Nelson at 202-224-5274
Sen. Mel Martinez at 202-224-3041
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz at 202-225-7931

South Florida property owners `flipping out’ over tax notices

As Miami-Dade and Broward property owners received tax notices in recent days, many were surprised — and angry — to see proposed increases.
BY AMY SHERMAN, VYTENIS DIDZIULIS AND CHARLES RABIN

The proposed tax notices arriving in Miami-Dade and Broward mailboxes in recent days have stirred a wave of protest, with dozens of homeowners taking to the streets Thursday and thousands of others dialing their property appraiser’s office.

The Complete Story…

Additional Thoughts:

Let’s see – why raise taxes when we are faced with the following issues:

• Property values declining
• Skyrocketing Foreclosures
• Increased bankruptcies
• Businesses are folding at an alarming rate
• Property Insurance Increases
• FP&L requesting increases
• Healthcare is a mess and the costs are still climbing
• Decreasing public services – all cities and counties are cutting back
• Cutting or freezing police and firefighters benefits and pay
• State declaring short falls in funding for schools – parents will have to pick up the difference
• Increasing unemployment and extended unemployment benefits
• Major declines in stock market and personal investments have decreased in half
• Millions spent on medical coverage for illegal immigrants – that the states have to pick up – that are costing tax payers billions
• Cities and counties bankrolling new projects
• Double-digit pay raises for government advisors

“On the first day of TRIM in August 2005, we received 88,000 phone calls and knocked out every phone in the governmental center because property values skyrocketed,” said Broward Property Appraiser Lori Parrish.

TRIM — Truth In Millage — mailed notices – property tax increases – Many cities propose an increase of at least 20 percent

What happened to annual balanced budgets? Aren’t Cities, Counties, and States required by law to have balanced budgets?