S & J Journal

 Join Us for a Discussion of Education Feform in Florida's Public Schools What is Common Core?  How about the Sunshine State Standards?  Join the Good Government Initiative as we discuss the pros and cons of the latest attempt at education reform in Florida's public schools - the benefits, the politics, and what the future holds. Featuring: Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher and Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard, Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Member Raquel Regalado, and University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development Senior Associate Dean Walter Secada. Moderated by President and CEO of the Good Government Initiative Katy Sorenson. 11:30 am registration, 12 noon lunch and 12:30 pm conversation Register Now! $35 Individual Ticket $50 GGI Contributor $20 ECOB (Engaged Citizen on a Budget) $10 Student (with valid I.D.) Monday November 24, 2014 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 ...

Florida had more cash sales in the third quarter of 2014 than any other U.S. state, and a closer look at metro areas finds five Florida cities in the top five – and eight in the top 10. The data includes both single-family homes and condos. According to RealtyTrac'sQ3 2014 U.S. Institutional Investor & Cash Sales Report, the state also has four of the top 10 cities for cash sales by institutional investors – buyers who purchase 10 or more homes per year. In the third quarter (July-September), over half of all Florida sales (53.5 percent) were all-cash. Only Maine came close with 50.0 percent, followed by Alabama with 42.2 percent. Still, the percentage of all-cash Florida sales has declined over time. In the second quarter it was 57.6 percent; a year earlier, it was 56.2 percent. Drilling down by metro area, Florida is also home to the U.S. leader: In Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, two out of three sales are all-cash (59.1 percent), though in both the quarter and a ...