Cost of a tax break: Preliminary calculations estimate that Florida school districts would lose millions of dollars in tax revenue if the Legislature approves a bill capping education property taxes for Floridians over 65 who have owned and lived in their homes for at least 25 years, and voters approve it as a constitutional amendment. In Pasco County, for instance, the district would lose about $744,567 if the law eliminates school taxes for anyone 65 or older who qualifies, as originally proposed in the bill, and $201,760 if education taxes are capped at the current level. The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah. Gradebook. Florida Phoenix.

Fund for Parkland victims: If the Legislature approves a $160 million fund to compensate families of the 34 people killed or injured in the Parkland school shooting, it would be be sidestepping the usual state process and give the victims preferential treatment over other people hurt by government negligence. The state already has a process in place for compensating such victims, but the state's liability is capped at $200,000 for one victim and $300,000 for all victims in the same incident. Payments above that require legislative approval, which can take years. Sun Sentinel. (more…)