archivestory

No state has yet eliminated property taxes and in Florida they are the biggest source of dollars for 51 of 67 counties and almost half of the state’s 411 cities.With Florida lawmakers now in overtime trying to settle a state budget, the prime source of financing for many cities and counties could soon be headed for the chopping block.In whatever budget deal is decided by the Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants included some kind of commitment to rolling back property taxes – now or through a ballot question put before...

AAA expecting busy Memorial Day weekend for travelOfficials with AAA believe over 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their homes for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.Fox - 10 PhoenixAmericans will soon celebrate Memorial Day, but what will be open or closed during the holiday?Here's what we know about banks, the stock market, USPS mail delivery and more on Memorial Day:When is Memorial Day 2025? What date is Memorial Day this year?Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26, 2025.Will banks be open on Memorial Day, May 26,...

Dave Williams  |  Capitol Beat News ServiceReal estate investor headed to prison in Atlanta fraud schemeBy Dave WilliamsBureau ChiefCapitol Beat News ServiceATLANTA - The head of a commercial real estate investment firm has been sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $45 million in restitution in a fraud scheme involving the Atlanta Financial Center in Buckhead.Elchonon (Elie) Schwartz, 46, of New York City pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud. Schwartz convinced more than 800 investors to send him $62.8 million, including $54 million...

Watch: Iowa homeowners talk property taxes with Des Moines RegisterHomeowners discuss Iowa's property taxes as Iowa legislative leaders make property tax reform their No. 1 goal this legislative session.Iowa Senate Republicans are proposing a 25% discount on home values up to $125,000 for property tax relief, changing a proposed $50,000 homestead exemption to address smaller communities' concerns.The bill also phases in the elimination of the state's rollback rate over 10 years and maintains a 2% cap on property tax growth with exceptions.The fate of property tax legislation is unclear as...

'This is a total dog and pony show. This is not anything that’s credible,' DeSantis said.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the House's late-session push for property tax cuts as ineffective.House Speaker Daniel Perez prefers sales tax cuts and formed a 37-member committee to explore property tax cut options, a move DeSantis called a "dog and pony show."The House’s push for property tax cuts will be ineffective,...

'The governor has not yet come forward with any specific answers,' House Speaker Perez said. 'If the House wanted to get this done, they would have,' a DeSantis spokesman shot back.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced a select committee to review property tax cut proposals.The move follows disagreements with Governor DeSantis on property tax cuts and other issues.The committee will consider various options, including raising homestead...

Watch: Indiana public school teachers rally at Indiana StatehouseShaina Terano, a teacher at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township, discusses what her students could lose with SB 1, the proposed property tax reform bill.Indiana's SEA 1 will provide property tax relief to homeowners and businesses, with businesses receiving the largest cuts.Local governments can offset property tax revenue by increasing income taxes. That could mean some families pay over $1,000 more per year on income taxes.Cities across Indiana are evaluating the impact of SB 1 and considering measures like hiring freezes...

House and Senate budget and tax cut negotiators are running out of time to reach a deal and end the legislative session on time.Local cheerleaders with Special Olympics show their skills at CapitolSpecial Olympics athletes demonstrate their cheerleading skills during Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run and ceremony at Capitol courtyard.The House and Senate disagree on tax cut plans, with differing approaches and overall amounts.The legislative session's deadline is approaching, with budget and tax cut negotiations still ongoing.One of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ main gripes with the House in his ongoing feud...

Ty Tagami  |  Capitol Beat News ServiceHow do billionaires avoid paying taxes? Here's what we know now.The super wealthy can afford to avoid paying taxes, but how? Here's what we know now.Georgia voters approved a constitutional amendment to curb property tax increases by tying them to inflation.Most cities and counties adopted the amendment, but the majority of school districts, which receive the largest share of property taxes, opted out.A new law gives local governments until the end of April to reconsider, but school districts face challenges due to rising education...

Video: Scenes from protest in EugeneCrowds of thousands of people showed up Saturday for a protest outside the Eugene City Hall.Hundreds of protests organized by the 50501 Movement are planned nationwide on April 19, including several in Oregon.The protests aim to address concerns about the Trump administration, including cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, stock market impacts, immigration and cost of living.The 50501 Movement is a grassroots initiative started on social media, advocating for sustained resistance against the Trump administration.Hundreds of protests are planned across the country April 19...