State Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal

TALLAHASSEE | Florida’s contentious and messy budget stalemate that divided the state’s Republicans and threatened to force the shutdown of state government is finally over. With just days left, the Florida Legislature has reached a deal on a nearly $79 billion budget. The final budget was delivered to legislators late Tuesday afternoon. The budget has…

Concern over tax-sharing plan doesn’t die with end of Florida legislative session

Many controversial education-related proposals died with the abrupt end of the Florida Legislature’s spring session. Some, however, live on as the chambers prepare to negotiate the 2015-16 budget during a June special session. Among the most troubling to school district leaders is a proposal to require districts to share a portion of their local tax…