The Ledger reports that the Polk Co School Board had refused to support Florida’s application for the Obama Administration’s Race to the Top grant award. They are siding with the Teacher’s Union who oppose the grant because the new dollars to the classroom would require accountability measures and a teacher performance pay plan. Obviously, I’m [...]
In the education post both Carol and I start with this Gallup poll that shows a very high satisfaction rate (77%) with how schools are educating children. Parents generally think their child is getting a good education. But those other kids? The poll shows that only 46% are satisfied with education in the country. What accounts [...]
James MacMeekin had something to say about Billy Townsend's Graph of Doom posts. Unfortunately, the MI4 editor mis-posted the response and we're publishing it much later than intended. Let's just say the two men don't seem to see eye-to-eye on the economy, history, and well, read on....
No, probably not. But that's how many the school district would need to lay off to account for the 15 percent budget cut state officials have told Florida schools to expect next year. It comes to $95 million. The Polk district would need to cut 1,700 of its 7,000 teachers to come up with $95 million. It's more likely that every employee will receive a significant pay cut.
Remember the first round of bail-outs? Originally intended to stabilize and re-ignite lending practices? (That worked really well!) And do you remember the cry heard round the nation, “Socialism! We’re running down the road to socialism!” These words resonated with me, too, but in a very different way. You think we’re heading toward socialism? Are you blind? For 75 years socialism has crept surreptitiously into the minds and lives of those unaware.
"Since January there have been 15 cases, with a total of 28 missing converters -- some cars have more than one -- the Orlando Police Department said. Between January and July 2007, there were just two cases." -- Thieves want your catalytic converter "Like countless other Central Floridians, Stofko is hunkering down to ride out the economic crisis rather than taking a risk looking for work elsewhere. Similar decisions to stay put have led to a slowdown in Orange County's growth, even as Central Florida's largest county continued to change its complexion and inch toward becoming an area where minorities are the majority." -- Counties' complexions change with economy "Florida's public universities are seeking $65 million from the Legislature to stop the exodus of talented faculty members who are drawn to better opportunities in more financially stable regions." -- Faculty Losses Hurting Florida's Universities Bonus: Value Of Property In State Drops $153 Billion In Year Lynx needs more money, not misplaced morality Voters to Decide Tax Break Plan
"Hundreds of houses in Greater Orlando are bought each week for just $100 apiece -- even in upscale subdivisions such as Baldwin Park. But don't run to the ATM just yet. There's a catch." -- Houses sold for just $100! But banks' deals short taxes "About 300,000 students in Florida attend private schools in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the state Education Department. If all became eligible for tuition reimbursement -- or vouchers -- districts could lose as much as $2.3 billion in state and local revenue, said Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association." -- Proposal ties school vouchers to more popular issue "She is one of 70 volunteers with Hillsborough County's Citizen Patrol Program and one of 18 who take to Bloomingdale streets to help the sheriff's office keep the neighborhood safe. Volunteers also patrol in Apollo Beach, Westchase and Town 'N Country." -- Citizen Patrols
You're doing your part by washing and recycling all those glass bottles. What part is the county doing? Not all glass makes the cut in Orlando-area recycling I wonder how well it works in the rest of the region? Lakeland commissioners take a different tack in the long battle with CSX and FDOT: Lakeland to Hire Lawyer To Argue Train Issues USF has a program for 1st generation college students: Program A Bridge To College Success Trib editorial writers take on the gambling crisis: Gambling Governor Loses His Deal In High-Stakes Game Over Casinos Bonus articles for today: Freelance workers get together in Orlando's coworking spot aiming to open in September It seems that county mayor isn't popular with everyone: Hillsborough County Mayor Ballot Initiative Challenged
State will pay Warren Buffet $224M to assure help in hurricane season and Hurricane Bet May Cost State may not agree on the cost, but both articles partially blame Crist lowering premiums to homeowners. Isn't it odd that every time we exempt a group for taxes and fees, the money seems to come from someone else? Speaking of hurricane damage: Free Inspections Coming To An End The Sentinel staff would like to remind you Don't get burned dealing with fireworks Florida Falls Behind In Tech Race With Short-Sighted Investment comes from the same newspaper that seemed against the idea of USF Polytechnic. Remember Tribune, to have a well trained populace, you have to set up schools to train them.
Orlando struggles to go green for both driving and living; the rest of the region worries about taxes, education, and drugs. Green: Fancy that: Going green isn’t lap of luxury, Orlando says Downtown Orlando condos, nearby neighborhoods attract people fighting high gas prices, home-sales slump Our position: Region’s bus system should do more now to get riders on [...]
Today's grab bag of articles takes us from budget cuts to budget winners; from suing developers to green builders; from crime prevention to college promotion and the cherry on top is rate hikes for electric customers. Not everyone felt the impact of budget cuts Buyers sue Four Corners developer Our position: Local and state government can fight crime by making prevention a priority PCC Closer to 4-Year Programs Tampa Gives Preliminary Approval To Building Green Tampa Electric, Peoples Gas Plan To Seek Rate Increase
MI4 is a work always in progress. For example, this column was originally "Today's Must Read Stories." Then it morphed into "Today's Top Five Stories." That still doesn't sound right. These aren't always the "above the fold" stories that lead a newspaper. You'll see the big three papers giving those stories a lot of attention. For example, today it would be the poor tomato, the happy Ken Griffey, and as always, the economy. I believe you can't miss those articles. So, this column will focus on the stories that affect the region, but that might be missed by anyone just scanning their favorite paper. Let's call them "Today's Don't Miss Articles." To make it easier to scan this column daily I'll simply lead with a paragraph and finish with the links. Like so: Today the Sentinel writes that discretionary dollars are the staple of the area's economy and it may be awhile before they return. The paper's editorial board is also happy to see work progressing on the Wekiva Parkway. In the Tribune we learn more about the reality of the required 30 minutes of exercise daily for students, and the paper's editorial board has some comments for John McCain Discretionary dollars key to Orlando's economic health Our position: It's encouraging to see progress on building Wekiva Parkway Exhaustion A Fear As Schools Fit In Fitness McCain Ventures Into Everglades Ill-Prepared For Political Briars
You’ll notice a lot of stories about the economy in these “Must Read” columns. It’s the single most important issue that affects us region wide. Here are today’s economy stories: Frugal shoppers find saving a few bucks can add up Grass is often greener, taller when other side of fence is foreclosed In an editorial in the Orlando [...]
It’s a slow Saturday with regional news. The Tribune’s Metro section led with a story on “God’s Stethoscope” by a 12 year-old. That’s well and good, but it didn’t belong in a newspaper’s Metro section. Editorial…maybe. Let’s get to today’s articles: Storm blamed for thousands of dead fish in Lake Apopka That happened because the lake [...]
On Good Friday morning, I got out of bed and saw that the High School Senior had slept in late. I woke her up so she could rush to school. “It’s Good Friday,” she said. “We’re going to the beach.” Being the stepdad, I assumed she had worked it out with [...]
Bio: I’m a Christian, a husband, a father, a son, a real estate consultant, and now, an amateur writer. As well, I am a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 63, or parts of Polk and Hillsborough Counties. My goal in this space is to provide my insight and comment on events shaping our larger region. I hope to consistently remind my community that we live in a connected world and that our commitment to being a player in the Metro I-4 super-region will make all the difference in the world. Selfishly, I also hope to further develop my skills as an amateur writer - a muse with which I’ve always tinkered but, until now, never published. I hope you find depth in my insights and sincerity in their offering. And I hope you’ll let me know how I’m doing… email: mckeel@metroi4news.com