Should Florida Approve Drilling in the Gulf?
CIVIC Concern | | 
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For years, there has been strong bipartisan support in Florida for a federal ban on new oil and natural gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Recently, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain has proposed lifting the federal ban to allowing states to decide whether to allow drilling. If the federal laws change, what do you think Florida should do?
After you vote, please post a comment telling us why you feel the way you do.
WKoF initiative: Florida's Green Future
CIVIC Concern | | 0
To protect our natural resources, we need to implement changes in households, companies and government. What are the biggest challenges facing Florida's environment? What ideas do you have for individuals, businesses, and state and local government to help make our future more green?
Share your thoughts here as we kick off "What Kind of Florida Do You Want to Live In?", our ground-breaking, two-year initiative that will mobilize citizens from around the state to come together in shaping policy proposals that can make a real difference in the lives of Floridians. To learn more, visit the What Kind of Florida? homepage.
What Kind of Florida initiative, Environment, Energy, Natural Resources (all tags)
WKoF initiative: World Class Schools
CIVIC Concern | | 0
What are the biggest challenges facing Florida's education system? And what ideas do you have for improving Florida's schools?
Share your thoughts here as we kick off "What Kind of Florida Do You Want to Live In?", our ground-breaking, two-year initiative that will mobilize citizens from around the state to come together in shaping policy proposals that can make a real difference in the lives of Floridians. To learn more, visit the What Kind of Florida? homepage.
Education, Schools, FCAT reform, What Kind of Florida initiative (all tags)
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.
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 | | 15
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?
