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In A Corner

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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: September 24, 2008

Last week, United School Employees of Pasco, the union that represents School District employees, said contract talks with the district have stalled.

Under the circumstance, that's not a big surprise.

The real estate and housing development industry are in the dumps, reducing tax revenue.

In addition, the state's formerly robust real estate market drove up property tax values, and with them property tax bills, prompting taxpayer anger and changes to the state's tax system by the Legislature and the constitutional amendment Florida voters approved in January.

The School Board has yet to say whether district employees will get a raise and annual step increases this school year.

A union rally at last week's board meeting didn't convince the board to commit.

Board members want to wait until next month, when the number of students in the district becomes official.

If it's lower than originally predicted, the district could lose more money.

By law teachers and other Florida public employees can't strike.

So other than being grumpy, we're not sure what leverage union members would have if the School District says there isn't money for raises this year.

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